The U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) is already feeling a fresh change with new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino. According to Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream, the players have noticed a difference in training intensity and approach from former coach Gregg Berhalter. After just a few days in the new camp, the team can see the impact of the new coach.

Robinson, Fulham’s left back, quickly noted the differences between Pochettino’s methodologies during a call with reporters. “Straight away, it seems a little bit more intense,” Robinson said. Under Berhalter, early sessions in camp often allowed players to recover, especially if they had just played club matches; with Pochettino, he did not give much recovery time.

Robinson noted that the first training session was not light stating, “Yesterday we were straight into training, and it was a tough session. So we were kind of [like], ‘Right, we are here to work.’ So it was definitely intense from the front foot.” This new intensity has set a clear tone for the players, signaling that the Mauricio Pochettino era is about raising standards from day one.

Moreover, Mauricio Pochettino also tries to connect with his players on a personal level. According to defender, Tim Ream, “There were a lot of individual conversations, understanding us as people, and they’ve continued throughout.”

The one-on-one approach differs from what Berhalter used. Mauricio Pochettino seemed very interested in building personal bonds with the players. Ream said he met the coach when he arrived at the Sunday camp. Most players were pulled aside for similar private meetings. This personalized approach has already hit the players, proving that Pochettino wishes to have a closer connect with his team.

Mauricio Pochettino’s winning mentality

Ream also addressed the obvious message Mauricio Pochettino is imparting to the team. “The message is that [Pochettino] wants to win. He has his principles, he has his ideas. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning.” Pochettino has a track record of building teams with clear goals and strong personalities, as seen during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain.

The USMNT is beginning to take shape with an eye on the upcoming October friendlies against Panama and Mexico. Significantly, the entry of a new coach, however, brings a wonderful change in the mood and mentality within the camp. The training focus is on building relationships. Pochettino is introducing a new tactical approach to the USMNT. The goal is to maximize the physical and mental performance of the players.

The USMNT’s departure at the group stages of the Copa America this past summer under Berhalter disappointed the soccer fraternity. This then informed the decision to deploy Pochettino. Now Mauricio Pochettino has the job of refreshing the squad and giving them a new lease of life. The Argentine manager is already keen to adopt his philosophy, as noted by Robinson and Ream.

While we wait to see how this changes the team’s style, Mauricio Pochettino focuses on intensity and connections. It creates an early positive tone. In the end, results will show if this new leader can help the US team reach the next level.