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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Mauricio Pochettino promised equal opportunity for MLS players</li><li>Asserted that the league was 'not easy' and 'physical'</li><li>Pointed to Miami's Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, as a model</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino promises same opportunity for MLS players as he would for European stars

CONCACAF Nations League

Jamaica

<p>USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino says that MLS players will have the same opportunities to get into the national team as their European counterparts.</p><p>The newly-minted manager hailed the quality of MLS, saying Sunday that members of his talent pool who play in the league every week will be just as well-equipped to feature for the USMNT as those in Europe. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/inter-miami-mls-2025-roster-if-lionel-messi-and-co-are-to-win-the-league/bltc7d31be4648b224c" target="_blank">highlighted Messi, who he dubbed "the best player in the world"</a> as the perfect example.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Pochettino has been vocal about the opportunities available to MLS players, pledging at his introductory news conference to dip into domestic talent when forming his squads. The current U.S. setup features just four MLS players, although 17 were developed in the U.S. youth soccer system.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Pochettino pledged that those playing in the U.S. will get opportunities: "It's not easy to play in [MLS]. It's very physical, all of the players who have played here for a long time say 'Gaffer, it is very competitive.' They have very good discipline, they train very well.</p><p>"And why not? For me, they are going to have the same possibility playing in MLS as those that play in the Premier League, in la Liga, in Belgium, in France. They need to know in private, they need to know in public."</p>

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

<p>The U.S. will take on Jamaica Monday night in the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/talking-tactics-by-empowering-christian-pulisic-and-setting-a-structure-something-meaningful-is-forming-for-mauricio-pochettino-s-usmnt/bltd226937141fa35fc" target="_blank">They currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead</a> after Ricardo Pepi scored the only goal of the first leg in Kingston on Thursday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR POCHETTINO AND THE USMNT?

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino promises same opportunity for MLS players as he would for European stars | Goal.com

The new manager said those who play in North America&apos;s top flight will be given regular opportunities with USMNT