HARRISON, N.J. – Because the U.S. males’s nationwide staff and South Korea convene within the New York metropolitan space this week, a World Cup that is simply 9 months away is high of thoughts. Saturday’s pleasant between the 2 sides, although, may even host a reunion between two former Tottenham Hotspur figures in Son Heung-Min, South Korea’s captain, and Mauricio Pochettino, now the USMNT head coach.
The pair labored collectively from 2015 to 2019 in North London, Son becoming a member of the membership forward of Pochettino’s second season in cost and shortly changing into a fixture for Spurs. The South Korea worldwide scored 75 objectives and notched 37 assists earlier than Pochettino was fired in 2019, his tally together with the 4 objectives he scored en path to UEFA Champions League closing that 12 months. It won’t be the primary time the pair shall be adversaries, that distinction is reserved for Pochettino’s time answerable for Chelsea through the 2023-24 season, however it’s nonetheless an unfamiliar sight.
“It isn’t simple to see him and play in opposition to him,” Son stated on Friday. “Once I was a little bit child, he was teaching me very arduous and he [made] me the participant the best way I’m now so I’ve lots, loads of respect [for] him. It is odd to play in opposition to him. Clearly within the Premier League, we performed [against him] a number of instances when he was in Chelsea. Within the nationwide staff, it is the primary time so I am wanting ahead to seeing him. Clearly, we do not need to give something. We need to win the sport but it surely’s at all times good to see Poche.”
The sensation was mutual for Pochettino, who admitted earlier that day that he was an admirer years earlier than they started working collectively at Tottenham.
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“It’ll be an incredible alternative to see one another,” Pochettino stated. “We actually love one another. [He] was a vital participant, probably the most essential gamers throughout my interval in Tottenham. I additionally was at all times chasing him as a result of once I was in Southampton additionally, I needed to signal [him] however he determined to go to a special membership. He moved from Hamburg to [Bayer] Leverkusen [in 2013]. After we moved to Tottenham, we chased him once more and we satisfied [him] to affix us in Tottenham. After 10 years, his relation in Tottenham is without doubt one of the finest gamers on the earth. He is an incredible participant however he is an incredible particular person and unbelievable and sure, it may be actually, actually good.”
The pair will reunite weeks after Son accomplished an MLS report transfer from Spurs to LAFC, nearly making him South Korea’s designated knowledgeable on the World Cup host nation, although he admitted he’s nonetheless within the early days of his American journey.
“I have been right here simply three weeks,” he stated, by means of an interpreter. “There’s restricted issues to share. That is the primary time being right here on this metropolis.”
The influence Son is predicted to have in MLS, although, is sizable — not solely will he probably entice extra eyeballs to the league as certainly one of its most high-profile stars, Pochettino argued he additional legitimizes the usual of play.
“What he’ll add to MLS, I feel the sort of participant goes to assist the evolution of the sport,” Pochettino stated. “For positive, he’ll be an instance for the teammates but in addition for the gamers who face him through the competitors … If you happen to had the prospect yesterday to look at the sport, Argentina and Venezuela, [Lionel] Messi’s the very best participant on the earth and if he is enjoying right here, I feel the extent is basically good. I do not say it is the very best on the earth however it may possibly match different leagues on the earth however now the addition of Son additionally [says] that the extent is rising and the evolution is basically good.”
South Korea’s journey marks new stage in World Cup preparation
Saturday’s pleasant is of mutual profit to each groups, particularly so with the World Cup in thoughts. South Korea is the USMNT’s first opponent to have already certified for the 2026 competitors as a non-host nation and provides a special tactical problem after spending a lot of the final 12 months going through Concacaf groups, however the guests are more likely to be the primary of many who hope to get a style of North America earlier than descending into the continent in late spring.
Sports activities Illustrated Stadium, dwelling of MLS’ New York Crimson Bulls and the location of Saturday’s pleasant, won’t host any World Cup matches – that regional distinction is saved for the close by MetLife Stadium, which can host the ultimate. South Korea would be the first of a number of visiting nationwide groups like Japan, the USMNT’s opponent on Tuesday, to acclimatize themselves considerably with one of many 2026 host nations. That is along with the work of scouting base camps for the World Cup, the Korean Soccer Affiliation probably simply certainly one of a number of counterparts already familiarizing themselves with FIFA’s listing of coaching websites earlier than the draw.
“Timing goes to be a little bit completely different on the World Cup so we are able to really feel this climate proper at times in June, we are able to count on a little bit bit [different],” head coach Hong Myung-bo stated by means of an interpreter. “Proper now, we’re making an attempt to arrange for the coaching camps. When it comes to setting, there are some candidates so we’re getting ready nicely and with the affiliation, as nicely, making an attempt to decide on a base camp in addition to doable. We’re within the means of getting ready for the bottom camps however we’ll have a draw on December 5 so it is going to be determined after that.”
Within the meantime, Hong stated he shall be utilizing Saturday’s pleasant as an opportunity to experiment together with his roster because the World Cup nears. Son’s precise position for the match is unclear – he made a reputation for himself throughout his Tottenham days as a large participant, most frequently listed as a midfielder on South Korea’s rosters throughout his 15 12 months profession with the nationwide staff. This time round, although, Son was listed as a ahead, forcing questions on whether or not or not he may be enjoying centrally as an alternative. For his half, Son has no desire.
“I can do each positions nicely,” Son stated. “Each positions are my power so regardless of the staff wants, I will play in that place. That is going to be the choice of the pinnacle coach and I am assured with each positions.”
As a substitute, the participant of intrigue in midfield is Jens Castrop, who could possibly be the primary twin nationwide to play for Korea’s males’s nationwide staff after he filed a one-time swap as a former German youth worldwide. Hong held his playing cards near his chest on Castrop’s enjoying time this window, however has a powerful first impression of the Borussia Monchengladbach participant.
“It is a brief interval however he is been adapting nicely,” Hong stated. “Tactically, now we have been speaking about motion and we give some particular orders for him. How a lot he can play, we’ll have to determine through the match however through the coaching, he confirmed a very good efficiency.”
Very similar to Pochettino with the USMNT, although, Hong will not be speeding issues with 9 months to go till the World Cup.
“The result’s essential, however with the end result, displaying the efficiency is essential,” the pinnacle coach stated. “We have now gamers with expertise, additionally. Who we’re enjoying with is basically essential so this is without doubt one of the strongest opponents we face. This can be a sturdy staff. It is about how we are able to present what now we have been getting ready. In fact, the result’s essential however we’ll attempt to get either side, which would be the neatest thing for our staff.”
