“I was shocked,” Jack McGlynn admitted with a laugh.
When he found out Mauricio Pochettino would be taking the reins of the U.S. men’s national team, McGlynn almost couldn’t believe it. Sitting in the lobby of the USMNT’s hotel for January camp in Fort Lauderdale, the 21-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder was relaxed yet focused, letting excitement about the U.S.’s new era bubble to the surface.
“Such a big name. It’s definitely great for the country with the World Cup coming, to see that you have such a big name with such a presence to lead us is going to be huge.”
The day after our conversation, McGlynn gave the U.S. the lead against Venezuela. A perfect first touch enabled him to uncork a missile from 30 yards out, a stunning first goal of 2025 for Pochettino’s program and the first for the Queens, New York native at the senior international level.
