A new controversy has emerged after Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT 2-0 loss to Mexico. It’s about star man Christian Pulisic‘s decision to leave camp ahead of the game. Pulisic fans had expected to see the forward play a significant role in the much-anticipated game. Instead, he left camp ahead of the match, reportedly looking to manage a bit of fatigue and minor injuries. The decision has not sat well with fans or former players.

Mexico remains the U.S.’s biggest soccer rival, so his absence was heavily missed in the match. He’s a leader and is marked by his ability to lift the morale of the team. Meanwhile, former USMNT star and goalkeeper Tim Howard voiced frustrations via social media echoing many other’s emotions.

“USA fans have every right to be frustrated after Christian Pulisic left camp before facing Mexico,” Howard wrote on social media. “The USMNT needs him there—even if he’s not playing. At some point, Mauricio Pochettino must flex his muscles.”

His inspiring, creating, and leadership qualities on the field make him an irreplaceable member of the USMNT. Thus, his leaving camp before the Mexico match was shocking and disappointing to many due to this rivalry. Even if Pulisic was unfit to play, Howard argues that being on the bench could have often helped to boost the morale of the rest of the team.

Fans shared those concerns. To them, Pulisic’s absence represented a lack of commitment to the cause. The game against Mexico was a must-win for the U.S., an opportunity to show everyone that the team has moved forward under the new coach Mauricio Pochettino. It’s silly that they blew this chance in the absence of the team’s biggest star, and the result hardly inspired confidence.

Mauricio Pochettino urged to show strong leadership

While Mauricio Pochettino’s long-term vision for the USMNT centers around his takeover of managing players, and developing them. Perhaps Howard’s comments mean that that is not enough. The coach will have to find a balance between ensuring the well-being of his individual players while trying not to fragment the sense of unity and commitment in the squad. 

In games like that against Mexico, the leadership off the pitch was just as important as the performance on it. The defeat has created tension among the fans, and Pochettino is now under growing pressure to display his ability to take the team through the tough times.

The moves that Pochettino makes going forward will tell the story of where the USMNT goes from here. A strong leadership style is needed on and off the field. How Pochettino manages his best players is what will tell the story of success in the future for these men. It echoes a larger sentiment from many in the soccer community. People want to see how the coach responds, especially after what Tim Howard said.

For the moment, he needs to find how to assert his authority, but still with a long-term view of the team as a pie. And as defeat by Mexico has shown, star power and presence is what makes all the difference. It now lies in the hands of the coach to ensure that every player, more particularly Christian Pulisic, is committed to the cause, whether on or off the field.