Latest news with #CharlieDavies
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dempsey Backs Pochettino As USMNT Legends Slam Coach For Gold Cup Collapse
Dempsey Backs Pochettino As USMNT Legends Slam Coach For Gold Cup Collapse originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mauricio Pochettino lost his first final with the USMNT, falling 2–1 to Mexico in the Gold Cup championship match. Now, he's under fire, drawing criticism from several national team legends — but not Clint Dempsey. The former Fulham midfielder stood by the manager after the loss. Advertisement Despite mounting criticism from USMNT veterans, Dempsey has emerged as one of Pochettino's more vocal defenders this week. On the Men in Blazers podcast, where he covers the USMNT alongside Roger Bennett, Dempsey acknowledged the coach's difficult task, saying, 'He's being asked to build a house without a lot of tools,' and praised Pochettino for continuing to push forward despite limited resources. His opinion contrasts sharply with other USMNT legends, including Kasey Keller and Charlie Davies. 'What I haven't seen from Pochettino is a full commitment to the national team,' Keller said. 'I haven't seen a full commitment to the players, I haven't seen a full commitment to going and watching matches and truly being the guy to find out all those questions.' Charlie Davies went even further, pointing out the lack of depth on the wings — despite the presence of players like Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest, who were unavailable for the tournament. 'Where are the dribblers? Where are the wingers? Where are the guys with pace? Because when we talk about depth and changing the game, go back to John Tolkin coming in as a replacement for Tyler Adams in the Guatemala game — which nearly cost us that match. Nearly.' Davies said. Advertisement What's next for the USMNT? The U.S. is already qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, alongside Mexico and Canada. With no qualifiers ahead, Pochettino will have some time to regroup before announcing the next squad for friendly matches against South Korea and Japan in September. These games will fall right at the start of the European club season, which begins in August. The calendar is tighter this year due to the Club World Cup and the recently concluded Gold Cup. That's part of the reason Pulisic and Dest were unavailable this summer. The Milan winger opted out of the Gold Cup, and Pochettino chose not to call up Dest as he continues recovering from an ACL injury. Advertisement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mauricio Pochettino Under Fire After Harsh Words Spark Fiery Backlash
Mauricio Pochettino Under Fire After Harsh Words Spark Fiery Backlash originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the wake of the United States Men's National Team's 2-1 victory over Guatemala on Wednesday, a firestorm has erupted, not over tactics or goals, but over words. Advertisement Mauricio Pochettino, currently serving as head coach of the USMNT, is under heavy criticism for his post-match comments regarding the lack of crowd support in what was ostensibly a home game. 'That is football. That connection (between fans and team) is what we will like at the World Cup,' Pochettino said. 'That is culture. What we need to learn in this country.' The comment, seemingly aimed at the U.S. fanbase after a soccer game that featured a large contingent of Guatemalan supporters, triggered an explosive response from former U.S. international and CBS Sports Golazo analyst Charlie Davies. Appearing on the podcast Call It What You Want, Davies unloaded on the Argentine manager. 'The thoughts of a foreign coach coming to this country in 2025 and blaming the spectators or audience for giving the other team motivation is mind-blowing,' Davies said. Advertisement His frustration only escalated from there. 'It's so disrespectful to players like Tony Meola—no one in the country watched the game, it wasn't on TV... the blood, sweat, and tears this guy had to put in to establish the game in this country,' Davies continued. 'For [Pochettino] to talk about the stands, that pisses me off.' Davies, who earned 17 caps for the U.S. national team and played in both MLS and Europe, spoke from the perspective of someone who helped grow the game during less glamorous years. His point was clear: American players have fought too hard for the sport's growth in the U.S. to now be lectured by someone who just arrived. 'All American players who have represented our country... what do you think we fought for?' he asked. 'To play the game, to get coverage... you think we want to play in stadiums in our home cities that are predominantly favoring the other team? Hell no!' But beyond the cultural critique, Davies argued that Pochettino's comments were a deflection from the team's own performance. 'I don't want to hear that BS,' he said. 'I want to hear 'You know what guys? Guatemala, we should have taken care of business, we're up 2-nil. We took our foot off the pedal... I got the subs wrong.'' The remarks have sparked a growing controversy online, with fans and pundits divided over whether Pochettino was out of line or simply pointing out a reality of international soccer in the U.S., where immigrant communities often outnumber U.S. supporters in the stands. Advertisement Regardless of intent, the damage is done. What should have been a quiet victory heading into the next round has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about American soccer identity, fan culture, and who gets to define it. As the USMNT prepares for its next match, the Concacaf Gold Cup against Mexico on Sunday, Pochettino may find himself needing to smooth things over. Not just with his players, but with an entire soccer community still fighting for recognition on its own soil. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
