Pochettino Believes US Has Time to Fix its Problems after Crashing out of CONCACAF Nations League 

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands on the sideline ahead of the first half during the CONCACAF Nations League Third Place soccer match between the USA and Canada in Inglewood, California, USA, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands on the sideline ahead of the first half during the CONCACAF Nations League Third Place soccer match between the USA and Canada in Inglewood, California, USA, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
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Pochettino Believes US Has Time to Fix its Problems after Crashing out of CONCACAF Nations League 

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands on the sideline ahead of the first half during the CONCACAF Nations League Third Place soccer match between the USA and Canada in Inglewood, California, USA, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands on the sideline ahead of the first half during the CONCACAF Nations League Third Place soccer match between the USA and Canada in Inglewood, California, USA, 23 March 2025. (EPA)

Mauricio Pochettino offered an Americanism after the United States' second straight dismal loss in the CONCACAF Nations League.

"If we would be today in this situation in one year time, for sure, I will tell you, 'Houston, we have a problem, no?' SOS," the Argentine coach said after Sunday's 2-1 loss to Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match.

The US hadn't lost a competitive match to its northern neighbors on US soil since 1957 and it hadn't lost back-to-back matches to Canada since 1980 and '85. But after Pochettino's team followed up its surprising 1-0 defeat to Panama on Thursday night with another clunker, the coach didn't seem worried and tried his best to radiate optimism and problem-solving acumen.

"It's all a process we need to change, and I don't want to say that I'm happy — don't take me wrong," Pochettino said. "But if (there's) something negative about (a) result, something to learn, it's better now, because I think we have time."

The defeats took place at SoFi Stadium, where the US plays its World Cup opener on June 12, 2026.

"We were not able to discover and to try and extend our strategy to the team, the capacity to play another way," Pochettino said. "I think we have time. I prefer that that happened today, and not in one year."

The US is 5-3 since the arrival last fall of Pochettino, the longtime Tottenham boss who also worked at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. It's difficult to discern any areas of progress for this modestly talented roster under its new coach, but Pochettino believes his brief tenure has been useful for identifying the problems he'll need to solve in the next year.

"I am (a) very optimistic and positive guy," Pochettino said. "Even when I'm angry and really upset and really disappointed, I want to find the positive thing that we can take from these two games. Who knows? No one knows how we are going to arrive at the World Cup, and then to perform. For sure, (the Nations League result) is not going to affect. If it is going to affect, it is in a positive way, not negative."

The Americans looked neither sharp nor competitive against Panama, and they improved only slightly against Canada. They had one moment of offensive success when Tim Weah and Diego Luna did the hard work to set up a first-half goal by Patrick Agyemang, who has scored in three of his first four national team appearances, but the US had far more moments of frustration.

The Americans also had just enough moments of defensive disorganization to cost them dearly. Although the US back line was a bit patchwork due to injuries, the defenders couldn't stop Canada's Jonathan David before he fired home the eventual winning goal in the second half.

The US didn't get much out of captain Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan star. Pulisic came off in the 69th minute against Canada.

"Now all we can do is go and be an example at our clubs every day, be the best we can be," Pulisic said. "That's how the national team is, and then when we come back, of course some things need to change, and we need to improve. We're going to look back and see what that is. I don't have all the answers at the moment."

Pochettino will get only a few more training camps and one more tournament before the World Cup. That tournament is the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup — and even that won't be a full-team experience, since a few players will be with their pro teams at the simultaneous FIFA Club World Cup.

For all their flaws, Pochettino doesn't publicly doubt his players' burning desire to fix things before their World Cup moment next year. Pulisic and the other American leaders all say they'll work to find the solutions to the multiple problems facing them in the ensuing 15 months.

"This team is everything to me," Pulisic said. "I care so much for this team, for this country. I hope people know that about me, and it's truly an honor, so anytime I get to lead this team and this country, it's an honor for me."



Henderson Leads Ajax to Brink of Dutch Title

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025.  EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
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Henderson Leads Ajax to Brink of Dutch Title

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025.  EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN

If Ajax Amsterdam hold on to their lead in the Dutch top flight and are crowned champions, then captain Jordan Henderson will enjoy a lion’s share of the plaudits for his role in returning the former European champions to the summit of the game in the Netherlands.
Ajax have overcome two miserable past seasons to sit four points clear of defending champions PSV Eindhoven with three rounds left in the Eredivisie campaign and are inching closer to the title, with veteran England international Henderson a major driving force.
Victory over NEC Nijmegen at home on Sunday and then away to FC Groningen next week would see Ajax to a record-extending 29th title.
The 34-year-old Henderson has had an outstanding season, skippering the club while at the same time winning a recall to the England squad.
"He's a player who, just by example, is able to lead the group and to move all the players in the right direction,” coach Francesco Farioli said earlier this year.
"He's a benchmark for everybody, especially the ones who are relying on work ethic and mentality," he told SkySports.
Henderson arrived at Ajax in February last year, not long after the club had been bottom of the table for the first time in their history and were looking for a player to provide leadership, both on and off the pitch.
But the former Liverpool captain's first months proved disappointing as he battled injury, and there was an earful of criticism of his performances, Reuters reported.
When Farioli took over as coach at the start of this season, Henderson was asked to fulfil a new role as defensive midfielder.
“It was something different that the coach wanted from my position, both with and without the ball. For me it was great that even at my age that I could learn something new,” Henderson told reporters at the time.
The switch has paid dividends, with Ajax boasting the best defensive statistics in the league with 27 goals conceded in 31 games, in stark contrast to the 2023/24 campaign, when they conceded 61 goals.
The England international's vast experience was also crucial in the encounters against Ajax's key rivals. “In the big matches, Henderson is vitally important for Ajax,” said television analyst and former Ajax star Rafael van der Vaart.
Younger teammates have spoken about Henderson's dedication to training and recovery and how he has helped instill a better work culture at the club.
His recall to the England squad in March was also a nod to his influence at Ajax, something that new manager Thomas Tuchel was well aware of.