Overview
- Mauricio Pochettino gathered U.S. players around a laptop during a mid‑half hydration break in the friendly against Senegal, which took place Monday, June 1, and used video to show tactical actions.
- Players and staff described the instant film session as helpful for fixing positioning and transitions, with Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic endorsing the approach.
- Pochettino said FIFA has not told the U.S. whether players may leave the field or coaches may use laptops that way during World Cup breaks, leaving the practice legally unsettled.
- Tournament rules let teams keep electronic devices on the sideline but do not explicitly ban or allow in‑break video sessions or player departures, creating a gap referees and teams must clarify before kickoffs.
- FIFA introduced standardized mid‑half hydration breaks in late 2025 for player welfare, and coaches, broadcasters and critics now see those consistent stoppages as new tactical, flow and commercial opportunities.