Mauricio Pochettino is not taking any shortcuts in his preparation ahead of the USMNT’s next World Cup match.
The USA will play against Belgium at the Seattle Stadium in the Round of 16 on Monday night.
Pochettino has already been given a boost with the availability of Folarin Balogun, who was meant to be suspended.
The USMNT will hope that the remainder of their preparation goes to plan, including shutting out any Belgian spies.
Here is what Pochettino has done in the build-up to the Belgium game to ensure that his tactics are not leaked.
Why Mauricio Pochettino has increased security at the USMNT training ground
The USMNT reportedly spotted someone filming their training session before their group stage victory over Australia.
This prompted Pochettino to demand blacked-out fences be installed at their training facility, according to James Ducker.
They are currently training at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Stadium ahead of the Belgium clash.
The fences have shielded the USA’s training sessions from outside view, preventing any information from reaching the Belgian camp.
Pochettino explained in his press conference that the move was necessary because “we are in an era of spies.”
English football fans will know that Southampton were kicked out of the 2026 Championship play-offs for spying.
Whether it is checking on players’ fitness or formations and tactics, it can certainly be used to a team’s advantage.
But the USMNT should not have to worry about that after Pochettino took security matters into his own hands.
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