Pochettino says US mindset must change, appearing to cite Pulisic absence from 2025 Gold Cup

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed to change the attitude and habits of the American national team as he starts a second term, appearing to refer to star Christian Pulisic's decision to skip the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“It was difficult to make the roster for the Gold Cup one year before because the mindset was different,” Pochettino said Monday during an online question-and-answer session with reporters. “You say, 'If I play, I have not holidays. I cannot arrive fresh for the World Cup.' ... You know now that is bull----.”

Pochettino said his goal “is to change this type of idea that are not right.”

Pulisic, the top American player, took himself out of consideration for the 2025 Gold Cup citing the need to rest after his season with AC Milan and the hope to be fresh for the 2026 World Cup. He didn't score in four World Cup appearances this year, missing one group-stage match because of a calf injury and leaving the Americans’ round of 16 loss to Belgium on July 6 after fracturing his right tibia and fibula.

He had 10 goals in his first 15 matches for AC Milan last season but went scoreless in 19 club games after Dec. 28. He has been an unused substitute in AC Milan’s first three games this season.

Pochettino took over from Gregg Berhalter in the fall of 2024 and was given a four-year contract in a deal announced last month.

Pochettino plans to announce his roster on Sept. 17 for the first games of his second term, a double window that includes friendlies against Peru (Sept. 26 in Orlando, Florida), Chile (Sept. 29 in St. Louis), Mexico (Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona) and Canada (Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota). In their first competitive matches since the World Cup, the Americans play CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in November.

“A new process, new project, new rules, new principles,” he said, speaking from London. “I think that the headline needs to be that (it) is a new start, a fresh start. And I think we need to change habits.”

“We need to create a group of players that (are) really being professional and compete in the way that we expect that they need to compete,” he added.

Players dropped from the World Cup roster, such as midfielders Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, could return. Young players such as 16-year-old Philadelphia midfielder Cavan Sullivan could be included for possible debuts.

Some, such as 19-year-old Crystal Palace winger Zavier Gozo, could be left off to allow them time to integrate with new clubs following summer transfers. Pochettino also expressed uncertainty about midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and defender Max Arfsten, who transferred to Middlesbrough.

Pochettino said players could be given national team debuts before they focus on the under-23 team, which will be coached by former U.S. defender Steve Cherundolo heading toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He cited a “need to be careful” with youngsters.

“You need to (have) confidence. You need to have the trust in yourself and belief that you can perform and do well,” he said. “Sometimes if you play well and you are 17, 16 or 18 and you play well and people start to talk, about you are (Lionel) Messi or you are a big star in the world because you do some good things. If after you are confused and you don’t manage well, that can be dangerous for your career and that is what we don’t want.

“You only are entitled to talk a little bit out of order if you are Messi, if you win. If you won, you can talk with certain arrogance."

Among the attitudes Pochettino wants to change are those of coaches who would rather have their young players stay with clubs during international breaks.

“Sometimes the coaches say no. I have a 17-year-old guy that play in the MLS but when the (under) 19 national team called, say no because they need to rest," Pochettino said. “If (you are) 17, you need to rest, aye yai, yai. We have a big problem.”

Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks still hasn’t decided whether to play for the U.S. or Germany.

“Noki is still in the same situation that (he) was before the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “We are in contact with all the potential duel nationals. I think it’s important for us to see. That is the connection, the human connection, that is so important.”

Pochettino intends to telephone striker Folarin Balogun, whose proposed transfer from Monaco to Everton came apart last week.

“I want to know from him what happened but always offering our support,” he said. “He’s an important player for us, was an important player in the World Cup and (I) hope that he can find being in Monaco, in another place, his best place to perform."

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - United States' Christian Pulisic plays during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

FILE - United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the field after the United States lost a World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Belgium in Seattle, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

ATLANTA (AP) — A week ago, Atlanta Falcons rookie Kendal Daniels was carted off the field on the stretcher, his body strapped to a backboard, his head engulfed by an ominous-looking brace. No one was thinking about when he might return to the field. The immediate concern was whether he sustained any career-threatening or even life-altering damage.

Which made his performance Sunday even more remarkable.

In a game the Falcons desperately needed to win, Daniels came through with a team-high 11 tackles, made a crucial interception in the fourth quarter and, for good measure, recovered a fumble that finished off a 29-20 win over the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers.

“I'm really proud of that kid,” said coach Kevin Stefanski, who rewarded the 23-year-old linebacker with a game ball.

Once he left the hospital and was cleared physically, Daniels faced the inevitable mental challenge of getting back on the field without any lingering doubts or fears holding him back. He knew that his facemask-on-knee collision with Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland could have turned out much worse.

“I've never not walked off the field after an injury,” Daniels said. “So mentally, I had to be prepared. Going back home, I had to make sure I was OK mentally, more than anything, and not playing timid.”

No one would accuse him of timidity against Brock Purdy and the Niners.

Daniels turned up everywhere, making the sort of big plays the Falcons (3-4) needed to pick up their first home win of the season. Especially in the final quarter, when the fourth-round draft pick looked like a budding star with Atlanta clinging to a 26-20 lead.

On third-and-9 from just shy of midfield, Purdy attempted a pass over the middle. Daniels read it all the way, leaping high to deflect the ball into his own hands. With the pick secured, he took off the other way for a 29-yard return that set up Nick Folk's field goal with 1:56 remaining.

“I had missed one earlier in the game,” Daniels said. “I just knew I needed to make a play for my team.”

Daniels wasn't done, either.

The 49ers tried to race down the field for a touchdown or field goal that would've at least given them a shot at an onside kick. But Jessie Bates jarred the ball loose from George Kittle after a long completion, and Daniels, hustling all the way, fell on the fumble at the Falcons 20 with 47 seconds to go.

Bring on the victory formation.

Teammate Maason Smith marveled at how far Daniels had come in the past week.

“I can remember on Monday, he could barely turn his neck to either side,” Smith said. “To see him go through all that, then come back on the following Sunday and have a hell of a game is great to see. I hope to see more of it.”

Daniels conceded that he was still thinking about the injury when he came out for the warmups at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a player alone with his thoughts after a harrowing ordeal.

“I wasn’t scared, but I definitely thought about it,” Daniels said. “I haven’t been in full pads all week. What if I’m not OK? But once I got my first tackle in pregame, I was good.”

He wouldn't get any argument from the 49ers, who lost for the first time this season largely because of four turnovers.

The Falcons can only hope their young linebacker's inspiring recovery signals a long-term turnaround for a long-suffering franchise.

Daniels is looking forward. When fellow rookie linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was slapping him on the back of his helmet in celebration as the final seconds ticked way, leaving the field the previous Sunday on a stretcher was long forgotten.

“That was the last thing I was worried about,” Daniels said with a grin.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels (53) lies on the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game between the Falcons and the Chicago Bears in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels is taken off the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game between the Falcons and the Chicago Bears in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels (53) returns an interception as San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) and Trent Williams, right, give chase during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels celebrates a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels (53) returns an interception as San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, right, makes the stop during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)