Callender, Cremaschi share first impressions of new U.S. coach Pochettino as camp opens

Drake Callender and Benja Cremaschi feel at home and know their way around the U.S. national team’s January camp, which is underway this week at Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale training facility.

But in a way, they feel a bit strange because they won’t be with their Miami teammates when they open MLS camp this weekend and begin practicing Monday for the first preseason game Jan. 18 in Las Vegas against Mexican champion Club America.

Callender and Cremaschi will likely miss that game as the U.S. plays a friendly against Venezuela at 3 p.m. that same day at Chase Stadium and another four days later against Costa Rica in Orlando.

Both the U.S. national team and Inter Miami have new coaches, coincidentally both from Argentina, and Callender and Cremaschi are eager to show Mauricio Pochettino and Javier Mascherano what they can do.

“I want to be in both places, with a new coaching staff at Miami, too, to show what I’m capable of,” said Cremaschi, a 19-year-old Argentine American who said he is eager to develop under both new coaches. “But being here representing our country and being here with this coaching staff is super important. If I prepare well with the national team, as soon as I get back with Inter Miami I’ll be flying.”

Callender said: “It feels very familiar here, but then, you’re not with your club team when the season is starting up, but at the same time, you’ve been called up to the national team, which is a huge honor and you’re training at a very high level, so it’s a win-win.

“This is a great opportunity for me to show my skills to a new coaching staff and be part of the national team pool and I’m sure my club coaches are keeping up with how I’m doing.”

Callender and Cremaschi are among 24 domestic-based players Pochettino brought in to evaluate them and to see where they fit in ahead of the Nations League Finals, the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Both players commented on their first impressions of Pochettino and the intensity of his training sessions so far.

“I really like his style and approach, and their staff. I’m growing a lot and being challenged a lot,” Callender said. “As a goalkeeper, you’re always looking to up your game, so learning from guys who have coached at some of the biggest clubs in the world is great. Pochettino is very personable, chats with guys around the gym but once we’re working, we’re working.”

He said the practice sessions were among the toughest he has ever experienced.

“It’s been intense, and that’s what you need at this level, to be under pressure and be in situations where it might feel uncomfortable but knowing it’s to make you a better player,” Callender said. “I am absorbing as much as I can, and I can carry that over to Inter Miami.”

Cremaschi agreed.

“He’s always around the players, but when it’s time to work, it’s intense,” he said.

As a player with Argentine roots, Cremaschi appreciates the culture Pochettino is trying to instill in Team USA.

“The culture around Argentinean soccer is they live the sport with a lot of passion and I think what Mauricio is trying to say is this team could use that passion for the jersey and the badge we are representing,” Cremaschi said. “If we can do that, I feel this country could become an incredible soccer powerhouse in the next World Cup. I think his philosophy and the way he does things can lead us to that and I can grow a lot as a player under him.”

Tickets for the U.S. vs. Venezuela game are available through TicketMaster and at ussoccer.com

USWNT camp moved from LA to Fort Lauderdale

U.S. Soccer announced Friday that due to the Los Angeles fires, it was moving its January training camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team, as well as the Future Camp featuring up-and-coming USWNT prospects, to Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale training facility.

The camps, which feature 50 players, will still be held concurrently, but run from Jan. 17-23. The women will begin camp in Fort Lauderdale as the men’s team is finishing.

“The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with the fires still burning, many areas in a state of emergency, and the air quality next week an unknown, we made the decision to move the camps,” said U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected in Southern California and our sincere gratitude goes to all the first responders and volunteers helping to navigate this tragedy. We also want to thank Inter Miami for accommodating us on such short notice and enabling us to run two training camps in a world class facility.”