Q&A With USMNT Interim Head Coach Mikey Varas

CHICAGO (Sept. 1, 2024) – We spoke with Interim Head Coach Mikey Varas before players begin reporting into Kansas City in preparation for two matches in September.

On his message to players during the roster selection process:

“I spoke with every single player, which was which was great. There’s a lot of enthusiasm to come into the September camp. Basically, what we talked about were three different visions for this upcoming opportunity. The long-term vision is we’ve got to move the program forward, and we’re approaching that in two ways. The first is that we're going to make it a really competitive training environment. Everybody knows that training matters and that they're going to have to come in and earn their spot for the game. The second thing is we're going to play our way - aggressive in the press and brave with the ball. Ultimately, what we want to do is set up these players for success to make sure that they have an easy transition with a new coach coming in. Last but not least is we have to get back on the field and show who we are. It's on us to get the fan base re-energized and the program re-energized by putting together two winning performances.”

On the objectives for the two upcoming matches against Canada and New Zealand:

“The objective for the two matches is to win two games. Win them together, win them playing our football. Ideally, we're going out there and showing a relentless press, being brave with the ball, and a fighting spirit that makes everybody proud.”

On some of the challenges of picking a roster during the September window:

“September is always a tricky window. You have players coming off international tournaments and then straight into preseasons, players who are trying to establish themselves and their places at clubs, and you have a lot of movement in the transfer window. So you have to look at the whole picture and what is going to be best long term.

For example, in the case of Weston McKennie he wasn't able to do a full preseason, so the best thing for him in collaboration with player, club and country is to leave him at Juventus and let him catch up and get ready for his season. Jedi [Robinson] has been playing banged up for the last year, and the best thing for him at this moment is to stay back, reset, and get ready for a long, grueling Premier League season. At the end of the day, we work with the player because the best thing for them long term is the best thing for the national team.”

On the opportunity to coach the Men’s National Team:

“The opportunity is once in a lifetime. Anytime you get to represent your country, you have to cherish that moment. At the end of the day though, it’s more than an opportunity. It's also a massive responsibility, and we are committed to making sure we have this group to show everyone who we are as a team.”

On the number of American players who are performing well to begin European club seasons:

“Any time we have American players scoring goals and making assists at the international level for their club, it's a good thing for our country. We're really excited. It's a good thing, because it means that American players are making an impact across the globe. It's also a good thing because it means that each of them are trying to raise their level, competing with each other to get onto the field for the National Team.”

On the roster consisting of 13 players aged 23 or younger:

“We always carry a pretty young squad. It's something that I think is ingrained in the Federation's DNA. Age is just a number - it's about what you do with your club, what you've done with the national team in the past, and - most importantly - what you do in this exact moment. If players are young but they show they're good enough and they perform well for their club and country, they'll get opportunities.”

On the selections of defenders Marlon Fossey and goalkeeper Diego Kochen:

“Marlon we haven't seen since 2019. He hasn't been in the group for a long time, but I think it's a great example that even if you haven't been in for a while, what you do with your club matters. We're always watching a really big pool of players. Right now, it's a great opportunity for the entire right back pool. Unfortunately with Sergiño Dest out, who we miss dearly, it's opened up the opportunity for us to test other guys. He's done a great job with Standard Liege, performing really well. We've been tracking him, and we want to give him an opportunity.

Diego will be his first time with the senior national team. He’s a young player playing for Barcelona B that we see as a high potential player. This is an opportunity for him to come in and not only compete with the senior team, but also get an amazing experience so that we can keep building for our future.”

On the competition for playing time that he expects in camp:

“I'll reiterate that the long-term vision is to make sure that this is a really competitive training environment during this camp. All the boys know that there will be no starting lineup set. What they do in training is going to matter. The guys who are performing in training and earn it are going to get the starting positions.”