Poch Watch 2024 Almost Over? 🇺🇸

We back, baby. It is time for the USMNT to Avengers Assemble once more. The first international break of the new season is already here, and the U.S. is participating in the FIFA-mandated window with a pair of friendlies against Canada in Kansas City on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, MAX & Peacock), and New Zealand in Cincinnati on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, MAX & Peacock)."

Looking ahead to both games, it's best to literally start at the top, as the biggest question surrounding our American men is whether Mauricio Pochettino will complete his deal to become the next USMNT manager by the time either game kicks off. As of Tuesday morning, Fabrizio Romano was reporting that Poch would be signing this week as U.S. coach. Then later Tuesday, FOX Sports' Doug McIntyre was told by multiple sources that the deal to bring in the ex-Chelsea boss was still on track and moving closer to being completed.

But without any exact dates being mentioned, Poch Watch is becoming a classic case of "hurry up and wait," even for USMNT players.

"We have been told that when something happens we will know, and everybody else pretty quickly after," said Tim Ream from US camp. "So we are updated, but we have not been told anything is final up to this point.”

Heartland Homecoming for America’s Finest:

While this early-season break might not be the preferred time of year for diehard club football supporters — or even club mascots, apparently — it does give stateside supporters the chance to watch America’s finest footballers live at home, something that is becoming ever rarer these days. For example, in this window, no less than 91.7% of the squad is playing professional football overseas, with Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and Charlotte FC Center Back/Americans Abroad Professor Emeritus Tim Ream being the only U.S.-based players out of the 24 call-ups.

More: Full USMNT roster for Canada, New Zealand friendlies.

From Puli to Gio to Matty T, this U.S. team will have enough A-list Americans on the pitch to sate the appetites of even the most diehard of USMNT supporters, although there are a couple of regulars missing. One notable absence is Fulham left back Antonee Robinson, who, according to interim coach Mikey Varas, simply needed a chance to rest after a long, football-filled year.

"(Robinson) has been playing banged up for the last year, and the best thing for him at this moment is to stay back, reset, and get ready for a long, grueling Premier League season,” said Varas. “At the end of the day, we work with the player because the best thing for them long term is the best thing for the national team.”

In camp or not, Jedi hits the break on NBA Jam levels of Fire, as the 27-year-old from Liverpool has assists in each of his last two games, the most recent a low cross to Adama Traore in the Cottagers’ 1-1 draw at Ipswich. Robinson’s form is such that he is already being linked with a January move to Manchester United (ESPN), despite the transfer window having just closed last week. This after reportedly drawing interest from Man City and Liverpool going into the summer. 

Another regular starter who won’t be taking the field in K.C. or Cincy is midfielder Weston McKennie. Even though the 26-year-old is coming off his first appearance of the season for Juventus — as a 67th minute substitute in their 0-0 draw with Roma on Sunday — Wes apparently still needs more time to better bed in with his club side.

“(McKennie) wasn't able to do a full preseason, so the best thing for him in collaboration with player, club and country is to leave him at Juventus and let him catch up and get ready for his season,” explained Varas. 💪

Philly Man Has Epic 3-Day Weekend:

Whether eating lobster rolls in Cape Cod, living your best lake life in the Ozarks, or watching the tennis in Queens, here’s to hoping all ASU readers had a joyous and relaxing Labor Day Weekend.

But if we’re being honest, it’s hard to fathom anyone having a better long weekend than Auston Trusty.

First, on Friday, the 26-year-old left the Championship for the Champions League, as Trusty made the move from Sheffield United to Celtic FC on the last day of the transfer window. Saturday he spoke to club socials about what it means to be joining USMNT teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers in Glasgow on the reigning Scottish champions. On Sunday he was part of the squad that saw Celtic dismantle Rangers in the first Old Firm Derby of the season. And then Monday, the ex-Philadelphia Union defender was called up to the USMNT for the Canada and Kiwi friendlies.

New club, derby win, and national team call-up, all in the span of 72 hours. Trusty the process, indeed.

Great News From the Hawthorns:

Some excellent news from the West Midlands in England, as it appears that Daryl Dike’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon is very much on target, if not a bit ahead of schedule. In a great interview with SBI Soccer, the 24-year-old West Brom striker from Edmond, Okla. said that he hopes to resume full training soon, possibly within the next month.

“Rehab so far has been pretty good,” said Dike. “In comparison to my other injuries, it’s honestly been so much better, things in the gym are a lot easier. I am outside more and not just stuck indoors. Hopefully in the next month or so I will be back in full training, but I am taking it step-by-step right now and making sure I am fully ready to go when that time comes.”

Dike suffered the injury seven months ago, with the club initially stating that he would be sidelined until the end of 2024. So returning to practice at any point in October would have to be seen as a positive development for Dike, as well as the Championship side’s promotion hopes.

The USMNT forward with 10 caps was also asked about the change at the top of the U.S. program, with Mauricio Pochettino expected to step in for fired manager Gregg Berhalter.

“(Pochettino) is a great person to have leading the program heading into the World Cup,” said Dike. “He has a lot of experience coaching some big clubs and you can’t really ask for much more.”

We recommend you give the full article a read, if only to celebrate the strength and spirit of a truly positive force in American football.

News and Notes:

• New manager, no problem. In three games under new AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca, Christian Pulisic already has a goal and an assist, the latter coming on a corner kick against Lazio on Saturday that was sweeter than a sack full of Hershey’s Chocolate.

• History for Tanner Tessmann! The 22-year-old midfielder became the first American male to play for Olympique Lyon in club history when he subbed on for 36-year-old Nemanja “Son of Mou” Matic in the 87th minute of OL’s wild 4-3 comeback win over Strasbourg on Friday. On the visitors’ side, Chelsea loanee Caleb Wiley had the assist on an excellent through ball for Strasbourg’s third goal.

• Things you absolutely love to see: Brenden Aaronson receiving a post-match ovation from Leeds fans at Elland Road. 🤍

• Donovan Pines scored his second goal of the season off a towering far-post header in Barnsley’s 3-0 win at Crawley Town on Saturday. Gaga Slonina also got his first league shutout of the season in the victory.

• After going 90 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 2-0 win at Cardiff City on Saturday, midfielder Aidan Morris has now started all four of Boro’s league matches this season (2W 1D 1L), good enough to earn him a USMNT call-up for the Canada and New Zealand games. Respect, A-Mo.

• Best nine seconds of your day: This Malik Tillman assist from PSV’s 3-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday.

• From the “It’s Not Technically a Bundesliga Fixture, But Based On the Sizes of Both Clubs It Probably Should Be” department, Damion Downs had a goal and an assist in FC Köln’s 3-1 win at Schalke on Sunday. 

• More from the 2. Bundesliga: Julian Green scored his third goal in four games in Greuther Fürth’s 4-0 win over Jahn Regensburg, who are managed by 53-year-old Joe Enochs from Petaluma, Calif. What’s German for, “American on American violence?”

• In just his fifth match in the Austrian top flight, Quincy Butler (23; Sacramento, Calif.) had a goal and an assist in WSG Tirol’s 4-2 loss at Sturm Graz on Saturday.

• Jonathan Amon scored his second goal of the season in Danish side Lyngby’s 1-0 win over Vejle BK on Friday. The 25-year-old from Summerville, S.C. was named Man of the Match afterwards … and looked to receive a tool box in honor of the achievement. 🧰

• After selling Mark McKenzie to Toulouse, Genk are back in the Americans Abroad business, having completed a move for ex-SKC defender Kayden Pierre. Go Belgian Or Go Home.

• More comings and goings: John Brooks has rejoined Hertha Berlin in Germany’s second tier, while Reggie Cannon and QPR have parted ways by mutual consent.

Galway United States of America:

“Two American lads and a 59-year-old from the Bronx walk into an Irish club” might sound like the setup to a horrible joke, but it’s actually a scenario playing out at Galway United in the Irish Premier Division. Thanks to the work being done by the U.S. trio of defender-turned-attacker Patrick Hickey (26; Des Plaine, Ill.), midfielder Vincent Borden (25; Ithaca, N.Y.), and manager John Caulfield (59; Bronx, N.Y.), the Tribesmen are up to fourth place in the Irish top flight, with two wins and two draws in their last four games. Most notably, the 6’6” Hickey has been playing like American Peter Crouch as of late, scoring three goals in his last six games, including the 76th-minute winner against second-place Derry City on Friday. Watch video of his most recent goal here, and as for the post-goal commentary, “Meiriceánach mór” is apparently “The big American” in Irish Gaelic. 🇮🇪🇺🇸

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