Pochettino Leads US Team Against Mexico, Eyes on World Cup

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00:00The United States comes in with a new approach under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

00:10It is his first time leading the U.S. men's national team in this fierce rivalry.

00:15And he's made it very clear, while the long-term goal is preparing for the World Cup, the short-term

00:20focus is winning every single game, especially against Mexico.

00:25The roster has a blend of veterans and rising stars.

00:28Zach Stephens is back on goal, trying to reclaim his spot after being sidelined for the last

00:33World Cup.

00:34And then, there's the midfield.

00:35What a midfield.

00:36A spoil of riches for the U.S., Weston McKinney, back after a brief absence, John Junius Musa,

00:42and Gianluca Busio, the Wanderking, the promise of the U.S. soccer system, who had a standout

00:46season in Italy with Venezia.

00:48Now, this match will be a real test of how quickly the squad can adapt to Pochettino's

00:54philosophy, especially with time being so limited.

00:57Both teams have plenty at stake.

00:59Even in a friendly.

01:00It is all about momentum heading into the 2026 cycle.

01:04And these, these are the kind of games that shape the mentality of a squad.

01:09But let's not forget, this international break is more than just Mexico contra Estados Unidos.

01:13Francisco, let's talk about Conmebol, Brazil, the elephant in the room, they're doing not

01:18so well.

01:19They are in fifth place.

01:20Please talk to me.

01:21What's happening down south?

01:22Well, Marcelino, guys, I'd like to focus on Brazil.

01:26Brazil is the giant.

01:27We all know they're the top dog in South America.

01:30But they're not looking great in this edition of the Conmebol qualifiers for the next World

01:35Cup.

01:36It'll be unthinkable.

01:37You know, just, you know, going through my mind, I cannot fathom the fact that Brazil

01:42wouldn't make it to the World Cup.

01:44They're the only team that has made it to every single edition.

01:47Yes, no other team has achieved that feat.

01:49However, it seems that Brazil does not have any real superstars that will scare the other

01:54team.

01:56You know, it's Hendricks, Rodrigo, up top, you know, not bad.

01:58You know, I'd be jealous if I was any other team coach.

02:02But even the new coach, Dorival Junior, has admitted it.

02:06The fact that a lot of people think that they don't have any major stars, especially with

02:10injury to Neymar Junior, they started by losing three of their first qualifying games for

02:17the next World Cup.

02:18So, yeah, the start has been rocky for Dorival Junior and Brazil after he got to replace

02:24Diniz at the end of last year.

02:27So then again, it's not looking like Brazil has that connection.

02:32Even then again, Dorival Junior recently admitted that it's really hard when you have 1,500

02:36players playing outside of Brazil, when they have to concentrate, when they have to go

02:40back in action.

02:42Yeah, it's hard to get that chemistry in.

02:44It's hard to obviously get that connection in.

02:46But they know.

02:47They understand it.

02:48I think the key game for Brazil will happen next Tuesday against Peru.

02:53They're going back home.

02:54They need to not only win, but they need to dominate and they need to change their mind.

02:58All the fans, they need to let everyone know that Brazil is back.

03:01That will be up to Dorival Junior and the players to connect then again.

03:07And for them to dictate if Brazil is for real in this competition.

03:11Yes, I think there's enough spots for Brazil.

03:13Yes, I think they're going to make it to the World Cup.

03:15But then again, it's a lot about optics.

03:17It's a lot about how they're looking entering the next World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the

03:22US.

03:23We'll have more in our next segment.

03:24But for now, talking about Brazil, we go back to you Marcelino in the studio.

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