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, England
Alex 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 States
Michael Boxall (50/0) Minnesota United, United States
Liberato Cacace (26/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (38/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (20/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of Ireland
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Finn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, United States
Sam Sutton (3/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Joe Bell (19/1) Viking FK, Norway
Matthew Garbett (23/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Ben Old (9/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Alex Rufer (14/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (22/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (61/7) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Elijah Just (27/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)
Logan Rogerson (10/1), Auckland FC, New Zealand
Ben Waine (17/5) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (75/34) Nottingham Forest, England
Head coach: Darren Bazeley
United States
Name/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Ethan Horvath (10/0) Cardiff City, Wales
Diego Kochen (0/0) FC Barcelona II, Spain
Patrick Schulte (2/0) Columbus Crew, United States
Matt Turner (44/0) Crystal Palace, England
Defenders
Auston Trusty (2/0) Celtic, Scotland
Marlon Fossey (0/0) Standard Liege, Belgium
Kristoffer Lund (4/0) Palermo, Italy
Mark McKenzie (13/0) Toulouse, Frane
Tim Ream (62/1) Charlotte FC, United States
Chris Richards (22/1) Crystal Palace, England
Joe Scally (15/0) Borussia Mönchengladbach
Caleb Wiley (2/0) Strasbourg, France
Midfielders
Johnny Cardoso (16/0) Real Betis, Spain
Lucas de la Torre (23/1) Celta Vigo, Spain
Aidan Morris (6/0) Middlesbrough, England
Yunus Musah (40/0) AC Milan, Italy
Malik Tillman (13/0) PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Forwards
Brenden Aaronson (43/8) Leeds United, England
Folarin Balogun (16/5) Monaco, Monaco
Cade Cowell (9/1) Guadalajara, Mexico
Ricardo Pepi (29/10) PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Christian Pulisic (72/30) AC Milan, Italy
Josh Sargent (25/5) Norwich City, England
Haji Wright (12/4) Coventry City, England
Interim coach: Mikey Varas
Fixture
Game to be played Wednesday September 11, 2024 (NZT)
United States v New Zealand
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, 11am (NZT)
This story was first published on September 11, 2024.
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