The US Soccer contradicted all rumors about Mauricio Pochettino taking the USMNT’s reins before the September friendlies. It appointed Mikey Varas as the interim coach for this month’s clashes. While the delay in Pochettino’s arrival adds to the despair, a group of naysayers doubt his capability to lead the USMNT. Some think Poch’s high-pressing soccer philosophy would not sync with the USMNT. However, former USMNT star Charlie Davis asserts that high-pressing style has always prevailed, citing the success of Pep Guardiola‘s Barcelona and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Former USMNT stars Jimmy Conrad and Charlie Davis sat down to discuss the US team’s friendly schedule for the month. Apparently, Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent arrival also became a talking point in their discussion. Davis quickly read out journalist Colin Reese’s comments on Poch’s hiring.

“I hope we don’t get Pochettino. I hate coaches whose tactics are based on high-pressing. It wastes the energy of attacking and creative players,” Davis quoted Reese during the recent Call it What You Want episode on CBS Sports Golazo.

Thereafter, the US veteran responded to the anti-Pochettino narrative himself. “That kind of triggers me a little bit. How do you think Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side played? How do you think Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool played? It is based on high-pressing that doesn’t stifle creativity. It doesn’t stifle attacking players. Look at the players those teams had,” Charlie Davis said, defending Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent USMNT hire.

Davis continued and stressed that high-pressing is all about recovering the ball quickly in the opponent’s defensive third.

Though Pochettino’s potential move has earned the approval of former USMNT greats, the US Soccer and the Argentine coach are yet to reveal the date of his arrival. Meanwhile, rumors have it that the USMNT is set to announce Poch as its new boss.

When will Mauricio Pochettino be unveiled as Gregg Berhalter’s successor?

The USMNT is facing a delay in signing Mauricio Pochettino because of a financial bottleneck involving him and Chelsea. The Premier League giant should pay Pochettino’s wages until he finds a new club or coaching job as per his severance package. Since Poch has verbally agreed to join the USMNT, Chelsea claims they don’t owe him any money.

Since the former PSG and Tottenham boss and the US team have yet to put pen on paper, and national teams pay less than clubs, Chelsea is eager to fund his wage via third-party sponsors.

But it seems like the situation is resolved. As per an Azteca Deportes journalist, the US Soccer Federation will unveil Mauricio Pochettino as the USMNT’s new boss on Wednesday, September 04. Nevertheless, with Mikey Varas serving as the interim coach for the September friendlies, Pochettino will probably assume full control during the October friendly period.

We surely can’t wait for that to happen!