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United States WATCH: US captain promises team will be 'hungry' against All ...
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 interview
Meanwhile, 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’ interview
READ MORE: United States under pressure to beat All Whites after string of losses >>>>
Squads
New Zealand
Name/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (10/0) Burton Albion, EnglandAlex 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 StatesMichael Boxall (50/0) Minnesota United, United StatesLiberato Cacace (26/1) Empoli FC, ItalyTim Payne (38/2) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandNando Pijnaker (20/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of IrelandTommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New ZealandFinn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, United StatesSam Sutton (3/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Joe Bell (19/1) Viking FK, NorwayMatthew Garbett (23/3) NAC Breda, NetherlandsBen Old (9/1) AS Saint Etienne, FranceAlex Rufer (14/0) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandMarko Stamenić (22/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (61/7) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandElijah Just (27/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)Logan Rogerson (10/1), Auckland FC, New ZealandBen Waine (17/5) Plymouth Argyle, EnglandChris Wood (75/34) Nottingham Forest, England
Head coach: Darren Bazeley
United States
Name/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Ethan Horvath (10/0) Cardiff City, WalesDiego Kochen (0/0) FC Barcelona II, SpainPatrick Schulte (2/0) Columbus Crew, United StatesMatt Turner (44/0) Crystal Palace, England
Defenders
Auston Trusty (2/0) Celtic, ScotlandMarlon Fossey (0/0) Standard Liege, BelgiumKristoffer Lund (4/0) Palermo, ItalyMark McKenzie (13/0) Toulouse, FraneTim Ream (62/1) Charlotte FC, United StatesChris Richards (22/1) Crystal Palace, EnglandJoe Scally (15/0) Borussia MönchengladbachCaleb Wiley (2/0) Strasbourg, France
Midfielders
Johnny Cardoso (16/0) Real Betis, SpainLucas de la Torre (23/1) Celta Vigo, SpainAidan Morris (6/0) Middlesbrough, EnglandYunus Musah (40/0) AC Milan, ItalyMalik Tillman (13/0) PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Forwards
Brenden Aaronson (43/8) Leeds United, EnglandFolarin Balogun (16/5) Monaco, MonacoCade Cowell (9/1) Guadalajara, MexicoRicardo Pepi (29/10) PSV Eindhoven, NetherlandsChristian Pulisic (72/30) AC Milan, ItalyJosh Sargent (25/5) Norwich City, EnglandHaji Wright (12/4) Coventry City, England
Interim coach: Mikey Varas
Fixture
Game to be played Wednesday September 11, 2024 (NZT)
United States v New ZealandTQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, 11am (NZT)
This story was first published on September 11, 2024.
