“I worry for USMNT”: Ex-Man Utd and France star voices World Cup concerns as Mauricio Pochettino fears grow

The pressure on USMNT’s shoulders at this summer’s World Cup may prove too much – that’s according to former Man Utd and France striker Louis Saha.

USMNT were thrashed 5-2 by Belgium over the weekend and face a daunting task against Portugal – who are without Cristiano Ronaldo – tomorrow. These friendlies will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup.

And perhaps the defeat to Belgium served as a reality check to Mauricio Pochettino and his squad, who are depending on the likes of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie to inspire them into the knockouts and possibly even further this summer.

And Saha, who won 20 caps for France during his playing career, is worried that the squad will be under too much pressure come June time – and even referenced President Donald Trump as a reason why.

Speaking to Ozoon, Saha said: “There is definitely big pressure on the USMNT. As I said, with the kind of president that those guys have, it’s going to be a weird World Cup for them in some ways. 

“Hopefully the focus can remain on football, but there are a lot of distractions. Pochettino has a big job to connect as much as he can with the fans, with the other fans as well, and make the USA be followed and cheered because they’re playing well, because there is pressure on them and that could turn if they don’t perform.

“This is my worry. I really do hope that this can be extraordinary, but I’m scared of what is happening in the US at the moment.”

Furthermore, Saha also pointed to Pochettino’s contract situation as a potential reason to worry over the coming months. The Argentine’s contract runs until the end of the World Cup, and he has been linked with a return to Tottenham once the tournament ends.

And Saha added: “Pochettino is going to be focused on results, to achieve what is set out on his contract with the USMNT, then he will consider his future after that.

“It’s a beautiful competition to be focused on, making sure that they go as far as they can. USA is obviously an outsider, but by being the main host, I would say, it’s going to be interesting to see how Pochettino can enjoy this tournament and go as far as possible. 

“In terms of his future, as a player, I would want to see my manager being focused on the team and on the future, which could be a distraction.”