USMNT vs. New Zealand score: USA produce ugly draw hours after Mauricio Pochettino hire

Christian Pulisic looked to have gotten the winner before New Zealand scored late to tie it

A freak goal from New Zealand saw the U.S. men's national team end the international break on a down note following a 1-1 draw with the Kiwis on Tuesday in Cincinnati in an international friendly. It was a day that started off on a high note with the announcement of Mauricio Pochettino as the next manager but then saw the USMNT struggle in the first half of play. 

Christian Pulisic came off the bench to get the opener for the USMNT but Ben Waine took advantage of poor defending to level things late and tie it for New Zealand, seeing Mark McKenzie's clearance deflect off of him and loop over Matt Turner. 

This was a match that shows how much work Pochettino needs to do when he takes over ahead of an October international window that will see the USMNT face Panama and Mexico in friendlies, but Mikey Varas' interim spell in charge will end on a sour note with a loss to Canada and a draw against New Zealand during this transitional period.

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[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:08 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United States 1, New Zealand 1 (FT)

Not the result anyone would've wanted but that's why you push for insurance goals in matches like this. It was quite an international break that saw the USMNT lose to Canada and draw against New Zealand but after a disappointing showing at Copa America, it has now been a disappointing September international break. There's hope on the horizon with Mauricio Pochettino coming but much more is needed.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 9:03 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Three minutes remain

The USMNT is pushing but they haven't shown to have enough attacking threat to close this out.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:57 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Eight mintues of stoppage coming 

There's plenty of time for a late winner but what was supposed to be a comfortable match is now quite nervey. This is why an insurance goal was needed.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:56 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Oh no

It's poor defending from the USMNT and Ben Waine, who was a strong performer for the national team at the Olympics, has found the back fo the net to level the match late.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:52 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A double change

Cade Cowell and Johnny Cardoso are coming on. Aidan Morris and Ricardo Pepi are exiting after both had good performances for the USMNT. Five minutes plus stoppage time remain. 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Pushing for more

Balogun has had his chances and was almost in for a goal. In this second half, the USMNT have turned up the heat but they don't have an insurance goal just yet.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Who else but Pulisic

Entering as a substitute it didn't take long for Pulisic after some good hold up play from Balogun, there's the breakthrough for the USMNT now it's time for some insurance. 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost for Aaronson

That was the best chance for the USMNT so far but Crocombe is there to save it again as more changes are being prepared for the USMNT. This time it's Malik Tillman and Caleb Wiley who are getting ready. Aaronson and Lund will depart for those changes to be made.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Pulisic has also entered

Haji Wright exited the match and Pulisic was quickly able to create a chance for Balogun that was fired on target. 30 minutes remain to find a winner in this tie.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:21 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Getting chippy

New Zealand have picked up their third yellow card of the match after a foul on Luca De La Torre. It has been a start and stop half since the break.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 8:12 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Luca De La Torre is on

Yunus Musah will exit at halftime as it was clear that a change needed to be made. 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:56 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Level at the half

It feels like the USMNT should've had a goal in the first half but there's nothing to show for their dominance. More than 65% possession and some good chances, the USMNT needs to string together clean positions. 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:55 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Oh, Yunus 

If no one's going to do anything, no reason not to go for goal from outside the box but it was well saved by Crocombe, maybe it can help get the USMNT into gar with three minutes of stoppage time remaining in the half.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Just wide from Pepi

Fossey has been bright creating yet another chance but Pepi couldn't get the finish that he wanted on the ball as New Zealand were let off the hook. 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Aaronson was taken down in the box

It was a good run from him but the USMNT will need to settle for a corner kick. We're 32 minutes into the match with only one shot on target which is from the USMNT.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Good defense from the USMNT

Mark McKenzie was able to keep New Zealand from creating a good chance with a header in the box but Payne will receive treatment for a potential head injury.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Ruled out

It seemed like the Pepi train was rolling in an interchange with Fossey, Pepi overwhelmed the New Zealand defense for an early goal. While it wasn't the most powerful finish, it didn't need to be as he poked it in. The goal was ruled out due to a foul after a discussion between the referees.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

No good chances yet

We're now in the 15th minute of play and New Zealand are outshooting the United States. Neither keeper has had to make a save in the early going but neither team looks comfortable out of the gate.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:12 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost a strong chance

Aaronson threads the ball through for Haji Wright but the forward didn't start his run early enough to reach it. A positive attacking chance after Aidan Morris had time in midfield to see Aaronson get into a good position. The USMNT are already looking better with the ball at their feet.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 7:09 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

New Zealand are pushing early 

We've seen this before as the USMNT are struggling in possession during the first few minutes of the game and New Zealand are making the most of their chances.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:59 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost time for kickoff

Pochettino has been announced as the new manager and now it's time for a bounce back performance.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Emma Hayes is excited to work with Pochettino again

The duo both worked together during Pochettino's time with Chelsea and now they'll reunite.

"Mauricio, I cannot wait to work with you again and I look forward to collaborating over the next couple of years," United States women's national team head coach Emma Hayes said on TNT. "This is an exciting time for U.S. Soccer and I just wanted to say welcome and I look forward to bringing you into the U.S. Soccer family. "

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:42 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Matt Crocker on Pochettino

"Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams," said Crocker. "His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage."  

"The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on," Pochettino said. "The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men's National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of." 

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The wait is over

It has officially been announced that Mauricio Pochettino, most recently the manager of Chelsea will be the next head coach of the USMNT. The Argentine won't be coaching tonight but he'll be set to manage during the October window against Panama.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

The USMNT will bounce back with a victory against the Kiwis which is a step in the right direction for a long journey. Pick: USMNT 3, New Zealand 0

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Pochettino watch continues

While Tuesday's match could offer several answers about the USMNT's expanded player pool, most onlookers will be focused on what's happening off the pitch rather than the events on it as the long wait to hire Pochettino rolls on.

Pochettino agreed to take the job last month and the deal will likely have no stumbling blocks on U.S. Soccer's side since the board of directors met on Sunday night to discuss his hire, per ESPN, a process that is considered a formality. The Argentine, though, has yet to put pen to paper over a payment dispute with his former employer, Chelsea, and it is unclear if that has been resolved. He is reportedly still on track to coach his first game next month, when the USMNT return to action for friendlies against Panama in Austin, Texas and Mexico in Guadaljara.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

New Zealand's XI

New Zealand starters: 1-Max Crocombe; 2-Tim Payne, 3-Nando Pijnaker, 6-Joe Bell, 7-Matthew Garbett, 8-Marko Stamenić, 9-Chris Wood (Capt.), 11-Elijah Just, 13-Liberato Cacace, 14-Finn Surman, 16-Alex Rufer

Available Subs: 12-Alex Paulsen, 22-Oli Sail, 4-Bill Tuiloma, 5-Michael Boxall, 15-Tommy Smith, 17-Kosta Barbarouses, 18-Ben Waine, 19-Ben Old, 20-Logan Rogerson, 21-Sam Sutton

[Sep 10, 2024 at 5:51 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Significant changes for Varas 

Christian Pulisic will start the match on the bench with Matt Turner, Aidan Morris, Ricardo Pepi, Mark McKenzie, Marlon Fossey and Haji Wright all coming into the XI after being benched against Canada. Chris Richards will sport the armband.

USA Starters: 1-Matt Turner; 3-Chris Richards (Capt.), 4-Mark McKenzie, 6-Yunus Musah, 8-Aidan Morris, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Marlon Fossey, 19-Haji Wright, 20-Folarin Balogun, 23-Kristoffer Lund

Available Subs: 16-Patrick Schulte, 18-Ethan Horvath, 21-Diego Kochen, 2-Auston Trusty, 5-Caleb Wiley, 7-Cade Cowell, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Johnny Cardoso, 17-Malik Tillman, 22-Joe Scally

[Sep 10, 2024 at 5:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Mentality check

Pardeep Cattry takes a look at some things to watch for in this match

While Varas admitted he has tactical fixes to make in time for New Zealand, his observation that the players' mentality was a contributing factor to their loss against Canada is arguably just as worrying as their technical errors. It is especially concerning since this was also a topic of conversation following the USMNT's Copa America exit, when veteran defender Tim Ream admitted that "the intensity falls through the cracks," per Univision.

This talking point will not go away on its own, nor will it become irrelevant after just one performance during a friendly in which the USMNT are the favorites to win. Tuesday's game against New Zealand, though, offers a chance to actually correct course for a group that says they are eager to do so. Renewed competition for spots, such as the battle for starting goalkeeper, will no doubt help, but fatigued fans will be just as eager to see a mentality shift from experienced players who hold leadership positions and likely will not exit the lineup anytime soon.

[Sep 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

New Zealand storylines

It will only be the fourth time that the Kiwis have faced the USMNT. Most recently, their youth players squared off against the U.S. U-23s at the Paris Olympics losing 4-1, but most players who were in that squad won't be taking on the USMNT this time. New Zealand's defense of Minnesota United's Michael Boxall, Portland Timbers' Finn Surman, and Charlotte FC's Bill Tuilmoa will be familiar with some players in the side due to plying their trade in Major Leauge Soccer, but this match will still be tough sledding for the Kiwis.