Pochettino admits USMNT fatigue ahead of Canada test

Three matches in one week take a toll, and Mauricio Pochettino isn't hiding it. The United States national team coach acknowledged that his squad isn't arriving in the best physical shape for Tuesday's friendly against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, having already played three matches in this FIFA window while the Canadians have played just two.

The fatigue is real, but so is the morale. The team comes off a third straight win in this international window, a convincing 3-0 victory over Mexico last Saturday. That match produced two names that have fans excited: teenagers Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan both scored, and Sullivan's goal made him the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history.

As if the schedule wasn't enough of a headache, Pochettino revealed that the team's flight out of Phoenix was delayed by two hours, which also disrupted preparations for the match against the Canadians. Even so, the Argentine coach made clear that one of his main jobs right now is managing workloads so players can keep performing for their clubs as well.

It's about continuing to grow, and I think supporting the players and finishing this window in very good shape. But I'm sure that the players, even though we've competed a lot and traveled, and that can take a toll, we're going to be ready for tomorrow, with fresh energy. And I think it's a good opportunity to keep growing in this process.Mauricio Pochettino

The coach also tried to take some of the emotional weight off the Canada matchup, a rival with an uncomfortable recent history under his watch: in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, Canada beat the USMNT 2-1, one of the low points of his tenure in charge. For Pochettino, though, that result belongs to a different chapter.

Every game is different, it's a different world. We can't connect the last game with the next one. We need to build our next game in the best way to try to be competitive and make sure we can be close to winning.Mauricio Pochettino

Two national teams, two new chapters

Pochettino insisted that both the United States and Canada are going through different processes than they were during that Nations League clash. According to him, that previous chapter closed after the World Cup, and both teams are now starting essentially from scratch with renewed rosters.

As for Jesse Marsch, the opposing coach, Pochettino didn't hold back his praise and respect. The two know each other well from past matchups, and the Argentine described Marsch's teams as intense and aggressive without the ball, but with clear variety when they have it.

I know Jesse very well. I like him as a coach. It's always difficult to play against his teams. He's intense, the teams are aggressive. A good mix of being aggressive without the ball and then, when they have it, they manage a lot of different options, so we need to stay focused. It's a really good challenge for us tomorrow.Mauricio Pochettino

If the USMNT beats Canada, it will close out this international window with a perfect 4-0 record, adding to the previous wins over Peru and Chile before topping Mexico.