Under-pressure United States will be hungry for a win against New Zealand, says captain Christian Pulisic.
After losing 2-1 to Canada — the first loss on home soil to those opponents in 67 years — it was important the team responded by beating winning Wednesday’s friendly against New Zealand in Cincinnati.
“We want to take it serious,” Pulisic told a media briefing ahead of the match.
“The guys are in a good place now [after the Canada loss]. We need to respond, and we need to show that, no matter who the coach is, we’re willing to fight and we’re willing to give the best for this country and that we want to win games.
“You’re going to see a team that is hungry and is not happy about the last result, is going to want to go out and fight, and take this game very seriously.”
Though former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to be named as the new manager of the national side, US Soccer have been unable to confirm the appointment.
They appointed Mikey Varas as the interim head coach for the two friendly internationals.
“We don’t want to just look at this as we’re in between [coaches] so these games don’t matter,” Pulisic said.
About New Zealand, Pulisic said: “It’s an opponent who’s not going to give it to us.
“It could be a tough match-up so we need to be at our best tomorrow and, hopefully, some guys are really going to step up.”
READ MORE: All Whites skipper Chris Wood: ‘We need to do better against United States’ >>>>
Watch Christian Pulisic’s interviewMeanwhile, interim coach Mikey Varas said the most important thing for his squad was to put the loss to Canada behind them, and to focus on the game against New Zealand.
Of New Zealand, he said: “They want to play; they want to have the ball. A lot of movement, a lot of interchanging of positions. Their shape is very dynamic, and they want to get the ball in the box early.”
Watch Mikey Varas’ interviewREAD MORE: United States under pressure to beat All Whites after string of losses >>>>
SquadsName/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (10/0) Burton Albion, England Alex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth) Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Defenders
Bill Tuiloma (41/4) Charlotte, United States Michael Boxall (50/0) Minnesota United, United States Liberato Cacace (26/1) Empoli FC, Italy Tim Payne (38/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Nando Pijnaker (20/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of Ireland Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand Finn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, United States Sam Sutton (3/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Joe Bell (19/1) Viking FK, Norway Matthew Garbett (23/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands Ben Old (9/1) AS Saint Etienne, France Alex Rufer (14/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Marko Stamenić (22/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (61/7) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Elijah Just (27/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens) Logan Rogerson (10/1), Auckland FC, New Zealand Ben Waine (17/5) Plymouth Argyle, England Chris Wood (75/34) Nottingham Forest, England
Head coach: Darren Bazeley
Name/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Ethan Horvath (10/0) Cardiff City, Wales Diego Kochen (0/0) FC Barcelona II, Spain Patrick Schulte (2/0) Columbus Crew, United States Matt Turner (44/0) Crystal Palace, England
Defenders
Auston Trusty (2/0) Celtic, Scotland Marlon Fossey (0/0) Standard Liege, Belgium Kristoffer Lund (4/0) Palermo, Italy Mark McKenzie (13/0) Toulouse, Frane Tim Ream (62/1) Charlotte FC, United States Chris Richards (22/1) Crystal Palace, England Joe Scally (15/0) Borussia Mönchengladbach Caleb Wiley (2/0) Strasbourg, France
Midfielders
Johnny Cardoso (16/0) Real Betis, Spain Lucas de la Torre (23/1) Celta Vigo, Spain Aidan Morris (6/0) Middlesbrough, England Yunus Musah (40/0) AC Milan, Italy Malik Tillman (13/0) PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Forwards
Brenden Aaronson (43/8) Leeds United, England Folarin Balogun (16/5) Monaco, Monaco Cade Cowell (9/1) Guadalajara, Mexico Ricardo Pepi (29/10) PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands Christian Pulisic (72/30) AC Milan, Italy Josh Sargent (25/5) Norwich City, England Haji Wright (12/4) Coventry City, England
Interim coach: Mikey Varas
Game to be played Wednesday September 11, 2024 (NZT)
United States v New Zealand TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, 11am (NZT)
This story was first published on September 11, 2024.
More football stories
