In a competitive sport like soccer, a spot on the national team doesn’t come with a lifetime guarantee. Sooner or later, you’ve got to bow out and let the fresh faces take the field. Such is the case for USMNT’s veteran defender Tim Ream. Since his debut in 2010, he has been essential on the team that secured its first-ever berth in the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Now, the next World Cup isn’t far and he is reflecting on his chances to be in Pochettino’s squad with reality checks.

Although Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t worked directly with Tim Ream, their playing styles align seamlessly. The Argentine’s focus on defensive organization and developing ball-playing center backs does work hand-in-glove with the way Ream plays. Pochettino’s track record as a manager and his success in bringing Tottenham Hotspur to the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2019 suggest that Ream has what it takes to craft disciplined, tactically astute defenders.

Ream talked candidly about the exciting possibility of playing under Mauricio Pochettino in the 2026 World Cup during a recent sit-down with GOAL. “I want to continue to play,” Ream said, “but I also know, and I’m not stupid, I’m gonna be 37 years old this week. The World Cup is a year and a half away. If I’m there, amazing. If I’m not, there’s not a whole lot that I can complain about, right?”

His current form and the desire to work with Pochettino would argue favorably for him. If he’s picked, Ream could be key to USMNT’s success on the global stage. The 37-year-old was five years older than the second-oldest player in Qatar, Aaron Long, at thirty-five, and one of just two outfield players over thirty in the country.

Ream also said, “There’s not a whole lot that I can sit there and feel hard done by because I’ve lived it. I’ve played in the World Cup. I’ve been with this program for 14 years.” Ream recognizes that he has already accomplished several significant professional milestones, including participating in the World Cup and enduring more than ten years with the USMNT.

What to expect from Mauricio Pochettino’s first USMNT camp?

Between the time of his appointment and the start of camp, Pochettino chose not to meet with any of the USMNT players. Not so much because he was unwilling to. There was just not enough time.

Pochettino was unable to have a conversation with every player since they were dispersed over the globe. Due to his onboarding process, early choices, and planning for the major transfer, Pochettino was unable to visit Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and other locations where the current USMNT player pool is located. He then decided to gather everyone together for the camp in Austin, Texas. Everything will happen simultaneously and at the same level. No benefits, no preferences.

This camp will be mostly about setting the groundwork for Pochettino. That will not happen right away. However, in October, Pochettino will focus on the fundamentals as he aims to introduce the team to his philosophical ideas.

“I think we are going to try to plan to play using two systems: 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3,” he said. “From there, we want to develop our way to play and see how we can adapt and how we can create partnerships between them to find the best way to create a very good way to play.”

Given Pochettino’s plans for the USMNT camp in Austin, what do you think the team’s biggest opportunities or challenges will be as they adjust to his new ideology and system?