U.S. Soccer's latest Behind The Crest video offers a look at Mauricio Pochettino's fiery halftime speech against Jamaica and his promise for BBQ.
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U.S. Soccer release latest Behind the Crest Inside look at Pochettino's second campIncludes fiery halftime speech and postgame BBQ promiseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Fiery speeches and free barbecue as an incentive?
New U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino's unique motivational methods were on full display in the latest edition of Behind The Crest, a behind-the-scenes video series from U.S. Soccer.
November was a instrumental month for the Argentine as the U.S. played its first set of competitive matches under his watch in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals against Jamaica. The U.S. first sealed a 1-0 win in Kingston before earning a 4-2 result in St. Louis behind three first-half goals.
As part of the video, U.S. Soccer offers a glimpse at Pochettino's halftime rallying cry, where he tells the U.S. to look past those first-half goals and maintain the intensity necessary to kill off the opponent.
"We do not concede!" he yells. "We cannot concede. We need to go there and kill and play and do our jobs. If you are tired, we have players on the bench who can be a real impact and are desperate to play. We need to press all together, and when you are tired say, 'Coach, I have no more', but don't go out there and spend 45 minutes playing easy. Enjoy being serious. We need to score the fourth, the fifth and the sixth."
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The video also offers some glimpses into the USMNT locker room, including more speeches from Pochettino and Tim Ream. In one such speech, following the USMNT's win over Jamaica, Pochetino promised the players that he will explore more American food, prompting a cry for him from the team to head to In-N-Out in Los Angeles while touring World Cup training facilities. Pochettino then says he'll pay for a team barbecue trip, earning thunderous applause.
The series continues to offer glimpses into life under Pochettino, who has been with the U.S. since being confirmed as new coach in September. Thus far, he's managed just four matches, defeating Panama and Jamaica twice while falling to Mexico in Guadalajara with a depleted squad.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?
The U.S. is looking ahead to January Camp, which will see them take on Venezuela on Jan. 18 and Costa Rica four days later.
