Harrison, N.J. – As the U.S. men`s national team and South Korea prepare for their friendly match in the New York metropolitan area, the upcoming World Cup, just nine months away, is a prominent thought. This Saturday`s game will also host a significant reunion between two former Tottenham Hotspur figures: Son Heung-Min, South Korea`s captain, and Mauricio Pochettino, now the USMNT head coach.
The duo collaborated at Tottenham from 2015 to 2019, with Son joining at the start of Pochettino`s second season and quickly becoming a key player. During Pochettino`s tenure, the South Korea international impressively scored 75 goals and provided 37 assists, including four crucial goals during their run to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019. While not their first time as adversaries – that occurred when Pochettino managed Chelsea in the 2023-24 season – it remains an unusual sight.
“It`s not easy to see him and play against him,” Son expressed on Friday. “When I was a little kid, he was coaching me very hard and he made me the player the way I am now, so I have a lot, a lot of respect for him. It`s odd to play against him. Obviously, in the Premier League, we played against him a few times when he was in Chelsea. In the national team, it`s the first time, so I`m looking forward to seeing him. Obviously, we don`t want to give anything. We want to win the game, but it`s always good to see Poche.”
Pochettino`s sentiments were mutual; he admitted earlier that day that he had admired Son years before their collaboration at Tottenham.
“It`s going to be an amazing opportunity to see each other,” Pochettino said. “We really love each other. He was a very important player, one of the most important players during my period in Tottenham. I also was always chasing him because when I was in Southampton also, I wanted to sign him, but he decided to go to a different club. He moved from Hamburg to Bayer Leverkusen. When we moved to Tottenham, we chased him again and we convinced him to join us in Tottenham. After 10 years, his relation in Tottenham is one of the best players in the world. He`s an amazing player, but he`s an amazing person and unbelievable and yes, it`s going to be really, really nice.”
The reunion comes weeks after Son completed an MLS record transfer from Spurs to LAFC, effectively making him South Korea`s designated expert on the World Cup host nation, despite his admission of being new to his American adventure.
“I`ve been here just three weeks,” he said, through an interpreter. “There`s limited things to share. This is the first time being here in this city.”
Nevertheless, Son`s expected impact in MLS is considerable. Pochettino argued that not only will he draw more attention to the league as a high-profile star, but he also legitimizes the standard of play.
“What he`s going to add to MLS, I think this type of player is going to help the evolution of the game,” Pochettino stated. “For sure, he`s going to be an example for the teammates but also for the players who face him during the competition… If you had the chance yesterday to watch the game, Argentina and Venezuela, Lionel Messi`s the best player in the world and if he`s playing here, I think the level is really good. I don`t say it`s the best in the world but it can match other leagues in the world but now the addition of Son also says that the level is growing and the evolution is really good.”
South Korea`s Trip Marks New Stage in World Cup Preparation
Saturday`s friendly offers mutual benefits for both teams, particularly concerning World Cup preparations. South Korea stands as the USMNT`s first opponent to have already qualified for the 2026 competition as a non-host nation, presenting a distinct tactical challenge after a year largely spent against Concacaf teams. The visitors are likely the first of many national teams aiming to experience North America before arriving for the tournament in late spring.
Sports Illustrated Stadium, home to MLS` New York Red Bulls and the venue for Saturday`s friendly, will not host any World Cup matches; that regional honor is reserved for the nearby MetLife Stadium, which will host the final. South Korea is the initial national team, followed by others like Japan (USMNT`s opponent on Tuesday), to begin acclimatizing to one of the 2026 host nations. This visit also aids in scouting potential base camps for the World Cup, with the Korean Football Association likely among several counterparts already familiarizing themselves with FIFA`s list of training sites ahead of the draw.
“Timing is going to be a little different at the World Cup so we can feel this weather right now and then in June, we can expect a little bit different,” head coach Hong Myung-bo explained through an interpreter. “Right now, we`re trying to prepare for the training camps. In terms of environment, there are some candidates so we are preparing well and with the association, as well, trying to choose a base camp as well as possible. We are in the process of preparing for the base camps but we`re going to have a draw on December 5 so it will be decided after that.”
In the interim, Hong plans to utilize Saturday`s friendly to experiment with his roster as the World Cup approaches. Son`s precise role for the match remains undefined; while he gained prominence at Tottenham as a wide player and was often listed as a midfielder for South Korea throughout his 15-year national team career, he is now listed as a forward. This raises questions about a potential central playing role, though Son expressed confidence in both positions.
“I can do both positions well,” Son affirmed. “Both positions are my strength so whatever the team needs, I`m going to play in that position. This is going to be the decision of the head coach and I`m confident with both positions.”
A player drawing particular intrigue in midfield is Jens Castrop, who could become the first dual national to represent Korea`s men`s national team after filing a one-time switch from his former German youth international status. While Hong kept details of Castrop`s playing time private, he conveyed a strong initial impression of the Borussia Monchengladbach player.
“It`s a short period but he`s been adapting well,” Hong noted. “Tactically, we have been talking about movement and we give some special orders for him. How much he can play, we`ll need to decide during the match but during the training, he showed a really good performance.”
Much like Pochettino with the USMNT, Hong is not rushing decisions with nine months remaining until the World Cup.
“The result is important, but with the result, showing the performance is important,” the head coach concluded. “We have players with experience, also. Who we are playing with is really important so this is one of the strongest opponents we are facing. This is a strong team. It`s about how we can show what we have been preparing. Of course, the result is important but we will try to get both sides, which will be the best thing for our team.”
