"Mauricio Pochettino admitted as he arrived that he had scant familiarity with his inherited player pool, then embarked on an experimental year-plus of trying fresh faces and combinations in search of a winning formula."
"The US started the window with a 5-2 drubbing on Saturday. After scoring first, the US conceded five consecutive goals, including four in a half-hour onslaught."
"Pochettino went on to say that when his team matched Belgium's intensity, the US was even, in some moment, we were better."
"The first half, I think that's in the way that we need to play, we want to play, Pochettino said afterwards. Against a team like Belgium, it's only about [keeping] this level during 90 minutes."
The USMNT began a new cycle under coach Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing Copa America exit. Pochettino experimented with player combinations, leading to some positive developments. A tactical switch to a back three improved stability. However, in a recent match against Belgium, the team suffered a 5-2 defeat despite starting strong. Pochettino noted that the team matched Belgium's intensity at times but struggled to maintain performance throughout the match, as evidenced by their body language and the eventual scoreline.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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