The demonstration
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Mauricio Pochettino gathered his U.S. players around him during the 24th-minute hydration break in Sunday's friendly against Senegal. Most coaches use that pause to speak. Pochettino opened a laptop instead.
Television cameras showed the American coach pointing to the screen with his finger while talking, apparently illustrating desired movements on the field. Players huddled close and watched intently.
That is usually how club statements work: the wording stays calm while the room clearly has not.
"Players need to think, but the y also need to see," Pochettino said after the Americans' 3-2 win.
The FIFA question
Pochettino said the U.S. has not been told whether laptop use during breaks will be permitted at the World Cup. FIFA said it would "look into this and come back if the re's anything we can share."
Midfielder Weston McKennie said any opportunity to visualize field movement is helpful. Christian Pulisic noted the team reviews similar material at halftime, though typically after the first 45 minutes, not during play.
"It's a little unique for us," Pulisic said. "That's also what we do at halftime—it's just going over some things." He added that he favors more breaks in soccer, a sport that historically featured 45 uninterrupted minutes per half.
"I think it's a good thing," Pulisic said. "Timeouts would be a good thing in soccer. It's nice to get a little regroup."