‘It’s about getting opportunities’ – Celtic’s Austin Trusty ready to show Mauricio Pochettino why he deserves USMNT minutes

Celtic’s Auston Trusty Ready to Show Mauricio Pochettino Why He Deserves USMNT Minutes

Auston Trusty has been here before — on the edge of something bigger, chasing that elusive belief that his best is still to come.

The 27-year-old U.S. international is one of those players who has quietly climbed the ranks the hard way. No shortcuts. No hype machine. Just steady work, adaptability, and a willingness to bet on himself every single time.

Now, with Celtic, he’s playing the kind of football that should — by most accounts — make him a regular in the U.S. men’s national team setup. But despite strong performances in Europe, Trusty has found himself outside the squad in October, watching from afar while others wear the shirt he still dreams about.

Still, the center-back insists his time will come.

“It’s about getting opportunities,” he told GOAL on The Rondo. “When I get the opportunity, thrive in it. When I get the opportunity, it’s game over.”

A Celtic Star Still Fighting for His USMNT Place

Trusty has been a rock for Scottish giants Celtic, slotting seamlessly into their backline since his move to Glasgow. His blend of composure on the ball and physical presence has made him a fan favorite — and one of the best-performing American defenders in Europe this season.

But for all that success, his relationship with the U.S. national team remains complicated.

Since Mauricio Pochettino took over as USMNT head coach earlier this year, Trusty has been called up just once — back in November 2024 — and made only a single appearance under the Argentine.

It’s not from lack of effort or quality, Trusty says. It’s timing.

A minor plantar fascia injury early in the season limited his playing time in August, disrupting his rhythm right as national team rosters were being assembled. “It kind of ruined some momentum,” he admitted. “But it’s about getting back into the rhythm and showing them I’m here as well.”

Now fully fit, he’s determined to make his case through his play — not politics.

‘I Will Do Anything Possible’

Auston Trusty, USMNT

If there’s one thing clear about Auston Trusty, it’s that he believes in his own journey.

“I will do anything possible to be on that team and be a player of that magnitude — to be the guy for the U.S.,” he said passionately. “I know I can do it. I’ve shown it. It’s just about getting opportunities.”

That line — it’s about getting opportunities — is something of a personal mantra for him. It reflects both his frustration and his optimism.

Trusty isn’t one to publicly complain. Instead, he points to numbers — to proof. “I’m performing at an extremely high level,” he said. “Look at all my stats, look at all of the people I’m defending in the Champions League and now the Europa League.”

Last season, he completed 93.5 percent of his passes — elite numbers for a central defender. He’s facing top European forwards weekly and excelling in duels and positioning. Yet, despite all that, his name was missing when the October USMNT squad list dropped.

Comparing Berhalter to Pochettino

Germany v United States – International Friendly

Trusty has seen both sides of the national team under two very different coaches.

Under former boss Gregg Berhalter, he received a few call-ups but never the full trust he hoped for. While grateful for the initial opportunities, Trusty admitted there were disappointments — particularly being left off the squads for the 2024 Copa América and the previous World Cup.

“Gregg called me up,” he said, “but he didn’t call me up during the times I wanted to be — like for the Copa América or the World Cup. That was very upsetting.”

He doesn’t dwell on it, but there’s clearly a sense that Berhalter’s vision didn’t quite fit him.

With Mauricio Pochettino, things feel different. Trusty sees a new energy, a different kind of leadership — one shaped by the Argentine’s years coaching the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.

“It’s good, having a fresh face coming in,” Trusty said. “Having a guy of his caliber — he’s coached Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, all of those guys — so he has the backing of every single player.”

He paused, then added: “To have a coach of that caliber, you can’t say nothing to him. He knows. He’s been there, done that. You have to respect that. That’s the biggest thing.”

‘He Has an Aura’

If there’s one thing that stands out when players talk about Pochettino, it’s that intangible — the aura.

Trusty described it with almost reverence: “He has an aura, and we all look up to him. That’s what you want from a national team coach.”

After years of transition and inconsistency in the U.S. setup, that sense of direction is refreshing. Pochettino’s arrival seems to have inspired belief not just in the established stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, but in the fringe players too — the ones on the outside looking in, like Trusty.

“He’s letting people have a shot,” Trusty said. “He’s letting people come in, and that’s what you want. If you’re a player who wasn’t getting called in every single camp before, you just want a fair chance. Mauricio is doing that.”

The New-Look USMNT

Mauricio Pochettino USMNT

It’s true — Pochettino has shown a willingness to experiment. Players like Diego Luna, who had just one cap before the Argentine’s arrival, have since become regular contributors. Luna now has 14 caps, 13 of which came under Pochettino, and he’s scored three goals in that span.

That kind of rotation has opened doors — but it’s also created fierce competition.

For center-backs, the depth chart is packed: Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Walker Zimmerman, and even young prospects like Jalen Neal are in the mix.

Trusty knows the battle won’t be easy, but he’s not backing down. “Anyone competing for such a historic tournament, playing in the World Cup in the U.S., that’s a prized possession of any American,” he said. “We’re all coming with that mindset.”

Club Form and the Path Forward

At Celtic, Trusty’s game continues to evolve. He’s more composed than ever, more vocal, and more confident in his passing. The Scottish champions have relied on him in both domestic and European competitions, and he’s thrived under the pressure.

He’ll be back in action right after the international break, when Celtic travel to face Dundee United on October 19.

Meanwhile, the U.S. team plays Australia in a friendly in Commerce City, Colorado — a game Trusty will watch closely, no doubt imagining himself out there on the pitch, wearing the crest.

For him, it’s not about anger or disappointment anymore — it’s about patience and persistence.

“You just have to control what you can control,” a source close to Trusty told The Athletic. “He’s one of the most grounded guys you’ll meet. He believes if he keeps performing, the call will come.”

A Defender with a Point to Prove

For now, Trusty’s mission is simple: keep performing, keep growing, and make it impossible for Pochettino to ignore him.

He’s been through enough ups and downs in his career — from MLS beginnings with the Philadelphia Union to battling for minutes in England, to now anchoring the defense for one of Europe’s most storied clubs.

Each stop has toughened him, refined him, and given him perspective.

He’s not asking for favors. He’s asking for opportunity.

And when it comes, as he says, “it’s game over.”

Because for Auston Trusty, the story is still being written — one tackle, one pass, one chance at a time.