USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter's successor, Pochettino, is using the September friendlies as a final opportunity to experiment with his expansive player pool before the World Cup. His approach, involving 14 different lineups in 17 matches, has raised concerns about team cohesion, evident in the South Korea match. Pochettino defends his strategy, emphasizing the need to assess players' fitness and identify potential replacements for the World Cup. He hints at significant squad rotation against Japan, aiming to create internal competition. The switch to a three-man backline against South Korea, featuring debutant Tristan Blackmon, proved effective in improving defensive stability.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.