After former U.S. international Noahkai Banks completed his one-time switch to represent Germany, U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino said he was focused on players who are "committed" to playing for his side.
"Yes, he called us," Pochettino said Friday. "He said, 'I decide to go for Germany.' ... We want players that show commitment but commitment is not 50%... He was honest because every time that we contact[ed] him with the possibility to join us, he said, 'No, still in doubt. I don't know if I want to pick USA or Germany,' and he was honest."
Born in Honolulu to an American father and German mother, the Augsburg centerback has spent the majority of life in Germany. The 19-year-old was in consideration for senior national team
call-ups for the USMNT but was undecided regarding his international future.
On Friday, FIFA approved Banks' decision to commit to Germany, where he will represent the U-21 side in the 2027 UEFA Euros U-21 Qualifiers. During the September/October window, the nation will face off against Latvia (Sep. 26), Malta (Sep. 30) and Georgia (Oct. 6).
"We want players with no doubt," the Argentinian manager said. "We want players that are commit[ted] and desperate to play for the badge and play for us, and that is the most important thing. Of course, it's a thing that we need to deal [with] because we are in a country [where] that happens often but I think that organization is so strong. U.S. Soccer is an organization that is [above] any player, any name, any dual-national and I think [what] is the most important that the player [has] no doubt when [they] join us, [there's] no doubt that they want to die for that chance."
Despite the decision from Banks, Pochettino has a surplus of young talent that will represent the USMNT during the September/October window. According to U.S. Soccer, the average age of the roster is 22 years, nine months.
During the window, the U.S. will play four friendlies in their first matches since the 2026 World Cup. The Stars & Stripes will first go up against CONMEBOL members Peru (Sep. 26 in Orlando, FL) and Chile (Sep. 29 in St. Louis, MO) before battling Concacaf rivals Mexico (Oct. 3 in Glendale, AZ) and Canada (Oct. 6 in St. Paul, MN).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT boss Pochettino praises Noahkai Banks' honesty in Germany saga
