In the New York metropolitan area, the U.S. and South Korean national teams are convening. With the World Cup just nine months away, the upcoming tournament is top of mind for everyone. However, Saturday`s friendly match will also mark a reunion between two former Tottenham Hotspur figures: South Korea`s captain, Son Heung-Min, and the current USMNT head coach, Mauricio Pochettino.
The pair worked together in North London from 2015 to 2019. Son joined the club ahead of Pochettino`s second season in charge and quickly became a key player for Spurs. The South Korean international scored 75 goals and provided 37 assists before Pochettino was dismissed in 2019, his tally including four goals scored en route to that year`s UEFA Champions League final. While not their first encounter as adversaries (they previously met when Pochettino managed Chelsea during the 2023-24 season), it remains an unusual sight.
“It`s not easy to see him and play against him,” Son said on Friday. “When I was younger, he coached me very hard and made me the player 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 at Chelsea. In the national team, it`s the first time, so I`m looking forward to seeing him. Of course, we don`t want to concede anything. We want to win the game, but it`s always good to see Poche.”
Pochettino harbored similar sentiments, admitting earlier that day that he had been an admirer of Son long before they worked together at Tottenham.
“It`s going to be an amazing opportunity to see each other,” Pochettino said. “We truly love each other. He was a very important player, one of the most significant during my time at Tottenham. I also always pursued him because when I was at Southampton, I wanted to sign him, but he decided to go to a different club. He moved from Hamburg to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013. When we moved to Tottenham, we pursued him again and convinced him to join us. After 10 years, his standing at Tottenham is as one of the best players in the world. He`s an amazing player, but also an amazing person, and it`s going to be really, really nice.”
Their reunion comes weeks after Son completed an MLS record transfer from Spurs to LAFC, almost making him South Korea`s designated expert on the World Cup host nation, though he admitted he is still in the early days of his “American adventure.”
“I`ve only been here three weeks,” he said through an interpreter. “There`s limited things to share. This is the first time being in this city.”
However, Son`s anticipated impact in MLS is significant—not only is he likely to draw more attention to the league as one of its most high-profile stars, but Pochettino argued he also elevates the standard of play.
“What he`s going to add to MLS, I think this type of player will help the evolution of the game,” Pochettino said. “Certainly, he will be an example for teammates and for players who face him during the competition… If you had the chance yesterday to watch the game between Argentina and Venezuela, Messi is 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 globally, and now the addition of Son also indicates that the level is growing and the evolution is very positive.”
South Korea`s Trip Marks New Stage in World Cup Preparation
Saturday`s friendly benefits both teams, particularly with the World Cup in mind. South Korea is the USMNT`s first opponent to have already qualified for the 2026 competition as a non-host nation, offering a different tactical challenge after spending much of the last year facing Concacaf teams. The visitors are likely to be the first of many hoping to get a taste of North America before descending into the continent in late spring.
Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of MLS` New York Red Bulls and the site of Saturday`s friendly, will not host any World Cup matches—that regional distinction is reserved for the nearby MetLife Stadium, which will host the final. South Korea will be the first of several visiting national teams, like Japan (the USMNT`s opponent on Tuesday), to acclimatize themselves somewhat with one of the 2026 host nations. This complements the work of scouting 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 before the draw.
“The World Cup timing will be a bit different, so we can experience this weather now, and in June, we can expect something slightly different,” head coach Hong Myung-bo said through an interpreter. “Right now, we are preparing for training camps. In terms of environment, there are several candidates, so we are preparing well and, together with the association, trying to choose the best possible base camp. We are in the process of preparing for base camps, but the draw will be on December 5, so it will be decided after that.”
Meanwhile, Hong stated he would use Saturday`s friendly as an opportunity to experiment with his roster as the World Cup approaches. Son`s exact role for the match is unclear—he made his name during his Tottenham days as a wide player, most often listed as a midfielder on South Korea`s rosters during his 15-year national team career. This time, however, Son was listed as a forward, raising questions about whether he might play centrally instead. For his part, Son has no preference.
“I can play both positions well,” Son said. “Both positions are my strengths, so whatever the team needs, I will play in that position. This will be the head coach`s decision, and I am confident in both positions.”
Instead, the intriguing player in midfield is Jens Castrop, who could become the first dual national to play for Korea`s men`s national team after filing a one-time switch as a former German youth international. Hong remained tight-lipped about Castrop`s playing time this window but has a strong first impression of the Borussia Monchengladbach player.
“It`s a short period, but he`s adapting well,” Hong said. “Tactically, we`ve been discussing movement and giving him special instructions. How much he can play, we`ll need to decide during the match, but during training, he showed a really good performance.”
However, much like Pochettino with the USMNT, Hong is not rushing things with nine months to go until the World Cup.
“The result is important, but showing performance along with the result is crucial,” the head coach said. “We also have experienced players. Who we are playing against 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 achieve both aspects, which will be the best thing for our team.”
