Pochettino is waiting for a difficult start for the American national team sports

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino considered that his team should be prepared for a very difficult start in the World Cup when it faces Paraguay on Friday, warning of the danger of the South American team, even though the host country is the favorite to win.

The American team begins its World Cup campaign at Los Angeles Stadium in Group D, and it carries the expectations that come with playing on its home soil and among its fans, and with a squad that Pochettino said arrived at the tournament in strong physical, tactical and mental condition.

But the Argentine, who knows Paraguay well through his career as a player and coach, said that coach Gustavo Alfaro’s team will pose a major challenge.

“I know very well the mentality, ferocity and competitive spirit she has,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“Paraguay showed in the World Cup qualifiers how difficult it was to play against them and how they performed very well. They defeated Argentina and Brazil. I expect tomorrow’s match to be very difficult.”

He added, “She has good quality and a wonderful coach, Gustavo Alvaro, whom I have a lot of respect and admiration for.”

There are reasons for optimism

Pochettino, who is set to lead the United States in the World Cup on home soil in 2024, said he feels optimistic about the team’s development over the months leading up to the tournament, especially in the last two friendlies. If he wins 3-2 over Senegal and narrowly loses 2-1 to Germany.

The coach said that those matches helped convince the players of their ability to keep up with the top teams.

He added, “The last two matches made us think and feel that it is possible to achieve what we want and compete in the best way, and compete with the big teams.”

He pointed out that the team improved not only on the tactical level but also on the mental aspect, adding that the players adopted a stricter culture within the team.

“I think they have become much better players,” he said. “The mentality is starting to change.”

Questions about the lineup

Pochettino said his entire squad was fit to play, including defender Chris Richards who was recovering from an ankle injury.

But he refused to reveal who will be the primary goalkeeper between Matt Turner and Matt Frese.

When asked about the starting lineup, he said, “I have decided it. The lineup is ready, unless something happens before the match.”

When asked if the goalkeepers had been informed, he smiled and added, “I don’t know if they knew, because if I told you they knew, you would start calling them.”