How much will Pochettino rotate his USMNT squad at the World Cup? | Listener Questions
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World Cup cancellation/postponement
I think it would take a basically undeniably dangerous global conflict for the World Cup to be postponed. I think even a very disastrous terrorist attack might not be enough to have them postpone.
USL financial structure
Every expansion team that they sell, that money doesn't get divided up between the existing USL teams like it does in MLS. It just goes straight into the pockets of a very small handful of people in Florida.
USL financial stability
South Georgia Tormenta was waiting down to the last minute as to whether or not they were going to play this year because they were waiting on money from a foreign lender. They paid money to the USL, now they don't exist.
USMNT squad selection
I don't know that Pochettino knows what his best lineup is going into this tournament. I just don't think the gap between some of these players is especially large, which opens up the door for Pochettino to adjust.
World Cup 2026 logistics
FIFA chief operating officer Jaimo Skrieky nailed it. He said the World Cup is too big and that this tournament will go on as planned despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
USL vs MLS quality gap
USL is behind MLS and the gap seems to be growing for me at the moment because of how MLS is moving rather than USL closing the gap.
I'll cut to the chase and say wooden spoon but harder is the answer to where a USL Championship All-Star team would finish in MLS.
USMNT World Cup rotation
I think we will see more rotation for a couple different reasons. Obviously, an additional game means an additional opportunity to pick up minor strains, minor knocks, and the like.
USMNT physical preparation
After the 2022 World Cup and more recently, it feels like a lot of the talking points from the team has been about maybe how they weren't as physically prepared as they needed to be.
Yugoslavia World Cup hypothetical
I don't think a Yugoslavia team beats either of those sides in 1998. You need a team full of superstars to win a World Cup and I didn't ever see them having that.
