Pochettino roster – Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup roster decisions are being questioned again—not only for who made it, but for how the omissions were communicated, with Real Salt Lake players Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo saying they learned by email.
The week leading up to the USMNT’s World Cup roster announcement has turned into something else: a dispute over respect.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad won’t be officially revealed until Tuesday. May 26. but the full set of 26 players was reported over the weekend by The Guardian. Two names left off that list—Real Salt Lake duo Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo—became the center of a new flashpoint after they described how they learned they were not selected.
Luna, who appeared in 17 of the USMNT’s 18 games last year, and Gozo, who has yet to earn a call-up but has been one of the stars of the MLS season so far, said they did not receive a call from Pochettino to tell them they were out. Instead, they found out via email at the same time.
Gozo. speaking to the Guardian. said. “We got the email at the same time. so I talked to [Luna].” The 19-year-old added. “I honestly think he should be in the team. I was upset for him, and obviously you know he’s upset as well. So, yeah, I think he’s the same way. I think he’s just gonna keep working hard.”.
Herculez Gomez. who played for the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup and now works as a pundit for ESPN. criticized the communication method on X. He said. “According to this report. players were informed via email that their World Cup dreams were over. ” and followed with: “This is diabolical if true. Face your players and give them the respect they deserve. Even those who made the team are owed more than just an email.”.
Pochettino’s defenders point to a larger coaching philosophy he has already laid out. He has said during his tenure that he does not consider regular communication with players not selected to be a priority. preferring to speak with them only during national team gatherings. In October. when asked why he doesn’t speak with players not selected for his rosters. Pochettino said. “They don’t need an explanation. it is about performing. And then nothing is personal.”.
The reaction from within the U.S. football ecosystem has been swift. After Pochettino’s decision to omit Luna and Gozo came out, Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni—himself a longtime USMNT player—said he was disappointed to see both players miss out.
Mastroeni said after RSL tied Minnesota 1-1 on Saturday. May 23. “I hurt for the guys. ” adding. “Disappointed for them. hurt for them.” He also called the decision “interesting. ” saying. “In 2025. the national team really leaned on him both as an attacking player and a mentality piece. Pochettino referenced his ability to fight. I just think at the World Cup. where you need difference makers. a guy who is going to come into a game where the stage is never going to be too big.”.
What has made this situation linger isn’t just the roster itself—it’s the sequence of how the news traveled. With the official list still not due until May 26, the reported omissions have already pushed the conversation from selection criteria to delivery, and from tactics to tone.
The USMNT is preparing to name its final 26, with the delay offering a narrow window for tensions to cool—or intensify—as players and coaches wait to see how the story evolves when the formal announcements finally arrive.
USMNT Mauricio Pochettino World Cup roster Diego Luna Zavier Gozo Real Salt Lake Tyler Adams Herculez Gomez Pablo Mastroeni