The fresh chapter under Mauricio Pochettino has already sparked excitement among fans. Although he hasn’t yet led his first match with the USMNT, the mindset and strategies he has expressed in various interviews have injected new energy into the team. Changes are on the horizon, and the 52-year-old has communicated clear expectations to players, regarding what they must do to secure a spot on the World Cup 2026 roster.

Pochettino on past occasions has repeatedly emphasized that gaining playing time at the club level is crucial for earning a place on the national squad. He referred to a lack of minutes as a “handicap” during recent discussions. Now in his recent conversation with SiriusXM, the ex-PSG boss reinforced this viewpoint by explaining that his approach varies based on each player’s situation.

“The most important is how we are going to look after, no, because some players maybe need to rest, players that maybe need to be involved and maybe not play,” he noted. “Another player maybe we need to push a little bit more to help, you know, not to be in a comfortable zone, and come on, maybe you are in a good club but you are not playing.”

Pochettino then went on to add, “You need to compete because you need to arrive in 2026 with competition in your legs.” This is the mindset Mauricio Pochettino aims for as the team prepares for the World Cup. He also mentioned, “All this aspect for us now is starting to see nothing, we start to work and hope that we have the commitment from everyone, you know, and then to create all together.” 

This sends a powerful message to USMNT players, but one might wonder how it impacts Matt Turner. Let’s explore this further, as there’s a possibility that Turner, who was the first-choice goalkeeper under Gregg Berhalter may soon find himself on the chopping block with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm.

Mauricio Pochettino’s demand spells trouble for Matt Turner

Mauricio Pochettino wants minutes from his players but unfortunately for Matt Turner, he hasn’t seen any action this season at the club level. After transferring from Nottingham Forest to Crystal Palace on loan, he has yet to make an appearance for the Premier League team. In contrast, the Argentine manager has also called up Zack Steffen for the October friendly roster, who has been Colorado Rapids’ first-choice goalkeeper and has been performing admirably.

Considering Pochettino’s perspective, it’s evident which goalkeeper may have a better chance of selection. The USMNT boss also recently addressed this goalkeeper situation by stating, “A manager is always worried when their players have few minutes with their clubs. I believe it’s a handicap that needs to be corrected.”

The message from Mauricio Pochettino is clear: secure playing time and you’ll have a shot at making the national squad. It will be intriguing to observe how Matt Turner and others respond to these expectations.