News Focus
- 5,500 loyal supporters gathered at Great Park Stadium for the team’s mandatory public training session
- Head coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed the squad will ‘give everything’ to create proud memories for the nation
- Captain Tim Ream describes the home tournament as a ‘once-in-a-career’ opportunity full of unique pressure
- Veteran players are encouraging first-timers to document and enjoy the experience, unlike in Qatar 2022
- The USA face Paraguay in their opening Group D clash on Friday night at the Los Angeles Stadium
IRVINE, California — The United States men’s national team has set up their base camp at Great Park. This location was once a military air station during World War II. Now it serves as a modern sports complex covering over 1,300 acres.
More than 5,500 excited fans packed the Great Park Championship Stadium on Monday. They watched the squad’s open training session. Organisers had to limit attendance after receiving 32,000 ticket requests.
The atmosphere was electric. This event marked the start of the competition week. The USA will play their opening match against Paraguay on Friday night at the Los Angeles Stadium. The venue sits roughly 40 miles from their training base.
Larry Agran, the mayor of Irvine, addressed the crowd. He noted the site’s history. ‘Once a place where Americans trained to defend our nation, this is now a place where Americans train to represent the United States of America,’ he said.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino also spoke to the supporters. He walked across the pitch with a microphone in his hand. He delivered a motivational message about pride and commitment.
‘The most important thing is you feel proud about your team,’ Pochettino told the fans. ‘One thing is for sure: we are going to give everything to create good memories with you.’
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week. It is the largest tournament in history with 48 teams. The United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the competition.
Half of the American squad played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, captain Tim Ream says this experience feels completely different.
‘It is not our first rodeo, but it is the first one on home soil,’ Ream explained to reporters. ‘I am old enough to remember bits of the 1994 World Cup. I have tried to tell the team that this is a once-in-a-career opportunity. There is more expectation and more pressure. But at the same time, you must enjoy it.’
Ream added that players need to take everything in. He said this tournament is unique and special.
Last week, several veteran players spoke about their duty. They want to help first-timers savour every minute of the tournament.
Star forward Christian Pulisic admits he was extremely serious during the 2022 tournament. He says he was not always easy to be around. Goalkeeper Matt Turner says he did not enjoy the moments enough in Qatar. He wishes he had taken more photos and videos.
The team is now striking a balance between hard work and joy. Fans greeted the players at their hotels in Atlanta and California. Turner made sure to film these arrivals on his phone.
Defender Mark McKenzie carries a video camera everywhere. He forgot his film camera back in France, where he plays for Toulouse in Ligue 1. He wants to share these memories with his son in the future.
‘The job is to handle the work on the pitch,’ McKenzie said. ‘But outside the lines, we must enjoy it and capture it.’