USMNT players are making their mark across Europe, with stars like Tyler Adams in the Premier League and Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie in Serie A. Joining these names is the surprising addition of Johnny Cardoso, who will suit up for Atletico Madrid this upcoming season. His arrival adds even more depth and excitement to the growing U.S. presence in top European leagues.
The start of the season has been rough for Johnny Cardoso’s Atletico Madrid, as they fell to Espanyol in their opening La Liga match in Barcelona. The team’s struggles continue after an early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup, marking a disappointing start to the league campaign. Cardoso did not play, watching the match alongside USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The Herons win at home | Inter Miami 3-1 Galaxy | Highlights & Goals | MLS
However, the question on everyone’s mind is why the USMNT coach was present at a match where the only U.S. player, Johnny Cardoso, remained in the stands and Atletico Madrid showed little spark in their La Liga opener against Espanyol.
Why USMNT Coach Pochettino attended Atletico Madrid’s match?
Many suggest that Mauricio Pochettino attended the RCDE Stadium to accompany Johnny Cardoso during his first league match with Atletico Madrid. It also gave the coach a chance to observe how the “Colchoneros” played, gaining insights on how best to use Cardoso in future matches.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Pochettino was once a key player for Espanyol, wearing the blue-and-white shirt in two separate stints, first from 1994 to 2001, and then again from 2004 until his retirement in 2006.
Given this background, it’s not surprising to see Mauricio Pochettino at an Espanyol match. He spent many years with the Barcelona-based club as a player, began his coaching career there, and clearly maintains a strong connection with the team.
Mauricio Pochettino’s presence at the RCDE Stadium served two purposes: to support one of his former teams and to accompany Johnny Cardoso, the USMNT player who recently joined Atletico Madrid. Since Cardoso did not play in the match against Espanyol, Pochettino’s visit was likely focused on mentorship and guidance.
An unexpected victory for Espanyol
As the new season begins, some matches have already grabbed attention, and the start of La Liga delivered a surprising result: Atletico Madrid fell during their visit to Espanyol. The defeat adds pressure on the team after a rocky start, including an early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup.
Diego Simeone’s side struggled to find form in Barcelona, despite a strong performance and goal from Julin lvarez. Atletico Madrid fell short, and in the second half, they couldn’t withstand the pressure from Espanyol, who scored through Miguel ngel Rubio and Pere Milla.
Johnny Cardoso’s new team now sits three points behind Barcelona, one of the main contenders for the La Liga title. Nevertheless, Cardoso is ready to don the white-and-red shirt, help the team overcome this rough start, and establish himself as a key player in the roster.
About Author
