Yedlin embraces opportunity to impress after joining USMNT in Chile
RANCAGUA, Chile --
United States men's national team defender DeAndre Yedlin did not expect to spend this week in Chile. This past summer, Yedlin completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur. He moved to London and trained rigorously with his new club in a bid to place his name in first-team contention. He found himself left off the original list for this friendly to aid those efforts.
The quest took a sharp, southward turn once USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann inquired about Yedlin’s availability for the friendly here at Estadio El Teniente (live, Wednesday, 5:30p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Go) and the upcoming date with Panama next week in Carson, Calif.
Klinsmann’s entreaty prompted discussions at Spurs about the proper course of action. Yedlin said Tottenham sporting director Franco Baldini reached out to ask his opinion about the matter before the club ultimately decided to release him.
“The sporting director at Tottenham asked me about it and if I wanted to [go], but he said the final decision would obviously be up to coach Pochettino,” Yedlin said. “They just wanted to get my input. I thought it’d be a good opportunity. I guess coach Pochettino did as well. So we came to this decision.”
Pochettino’s blessing allowed Yedlin to fly from London to Santiago to join his teammates in camp on Sunday. The 21-year-old fullback said he plans to use his time with the national team to continue the work undertaken over the past couple of weeks with Spurs.
“The first few weeks at Tottenham were a lot about getting my rustiness out, getting my fitness back, and getting my game fitness back,” Yedlin said. “When I had the chance to come here, I thought it’d be a great opportunity. It’s a chance to get games, obviously. Any chance to get in with the national team is a great opportunity.“
This particular affair offers him a tempting chance to hone his fitness. Chile plays a high-pressure system with an emphasis on playing at a high tempo. Those qualities will place Yedlin and the Americans under considerable scrutiny as they attempt to win their second consecutive match in Chile.
“It’ll be a great test for us, especially because these guys are in midseason,” Yedlin said. “It’ll really test our fitness and test how mentally strong we are. There are a lot of new guys in this group. It gives them a great chance to show what they have.”
It also provides Yedlin with the perfect opening to continue his progress for both club and country. His unexpected arrival may have come a bit late, but it occurred in plenty of time to boost his fitness and strengthen his international credentials before he returns to London in early February.
