Mauricio Pochettino impressed with MLS as he takes in Hudson River Derby

· New York Post

If Major League Soccer was looking for a spokesperson to laud the development of the league, they had their man in U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino on Friday night as he stood near the pitch at Yankee Stadium. 

With the USMNT on the cusp of opening its first camp since the World Cup ended earlier this summer, Pochettino is leaning heavily into the youth during the extended September-October international window.

Among the invitees are 12 players from MLS and nine who are earning their first call-ups to the senior men’s national team, including Red Bull New York stars Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. 

“It’s an unbelievable job the MLS is doing, giving the possibilities to the young [players],” Pochettino told a small group of journalists on Friday, which included The Post. “The clubs giving the [opportunities] to 17- and 16-year-olds, playing 18-year-olds. I think that is an amazing thing that shows that this is very healthy and we have amazing talent in the youth. 

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino looks dejected after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

“And the clubs in the MLS are doing a very good job.” 

Pochettino was on hand to watch the final version of the 2026 Hudson River Derby between the Red Bulls and New York City FC, with both clubs featuring players headed to next week’s USMNT camp. 

Hall and Mehmeti highlighted the young talent on the pitch that Pochettino was talking about when it comes to the men’s national team program, but the USMNT boss pumped the brakes on any massive expectations that may be placed on the pair of American stars. 

“Careful, I think they’re young. … Of course, they deserve [to be here] and we need to pay attention to them, but relax,” he said when asked about the pair of New York stars. 

Pochettino said that right now the focus is on helping to provide the tools “for them to keep the evolution” and that “they will be better players and better [people].” He would not say if either would see playing time during the upcoming friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. 

Julian Hall of the New York Red Bulls celebrates after their 1-0 victory against New York City Football Club at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Getty Images

With Pochettino under contract as the USMNT head coach through 2030, he will have plenty of time to mold the program into his vision, with plenty of time until the next World Cup. And the USMNT boss made it clear on Friday what he’s looking for in any player that dons the stars and stripes under his tenure. 

The U.S. men’s national team program was dealt a bit of a blow on Friday when prized dual national defender Noahkai Banks committed to playing for Germany on the international stage going forward over the United States. 

Pochettino said that Banks had called the U.S. Soccer Federation before news of his decision became public, but ultimately the goal is to have players in the program that are “200 percent” committed. 

“We want players that commit and are desperate to play for the badge and play for us,” Pochettino said. “That is the most important thing. It’s a thing that we need to deal with because we’re in a country where that happens often, but I think the organization is so strong. USA Soccer is an organization that is over any player, any name, any dual national. 

“I think the most important thing is the players have no doubt, when showing us, have no doubt that they want to die for that shield.”