The United States men's national team (USMNT) has employed outside consultants, including a company that measures players' brainwaves, to prepare for potential penalty shootouts at the World Cup. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed on Tuesday that his staff partnered with Neuro11 and Trackman over 18 months ago to analyze penalties and set pieces.
Pochettino's firm stance on penalty takers
Unlike Germany's recent approach, where several players reportedly declined to take penalties, Pochettino insists the coaching staff will determine the order. "It is going to be [the coaching staff's] decision, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We try to arrive in this moment and not ask the player if he feels confident or not confident," he said. Germany's Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism after Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah missed penalties in a shock loss to Paraguay.
Brainwave tracking and radar technology
Neuro11 uses real-time EEG tracking to measure brainwaves during penalty practice, demonstrated in a 2023 Liverpool video. Trackman employs radar and sensors to provide detailed ball movement data. US midfielder Sebastian Berhalter credited Trackman for improving his set-piece delivery, a factor in his World Cup roster selection. Pochettino noted that while these tools help, "it is impossible to replicate the emotional stress and the pressure."
USMNT's penalty history and current takers
The USMNT has never faced a penalty shootout in World Cup play. Christian Pulisic, who has converted all seven senior national team penalties, leads the takers. Ricardo Pepi hasn't missed since leaving MLS in 2022, and Haji Wright has scored 17 of 19 attempts in seven years. Folarin Balogun also has experience. Defender Chris Richards laughed when asked about penalties: "I'm a defender for a reason, man."
Style and confidence
After watching Monday's shootouts featuring stutter steps and short run-ups, Pulisic dismissed altering his technique: "I think everyone has their own style. I don't think you can take so much away or change your style in one day." The US faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last-32 on Wednesday in the Bay Area.
