Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino identifies 'future of the club' in MLS All-Stars defeat

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with the contributions of the five youngsters he called "the future of the club" after their performances against an MLS All-Stars side.

Brazil veteran Kaka rolled back the years as he set up one goal for ex-Barcelona star David Villa and scored the other from the penalty spot to secure victory for the All-Stars, despite Harry Kane pulling one back with an excellent 25-yard strike.

Pochettino used the game to give his entire squad a run out, with youngsters Luke McGee, Harry Winks, Dele Alli, Joshua Onomah and Shaquile Coulthirst all brought on in the second half. Onomah, an 18-year-old midfielder who recently signed a new four-year contract at White Hart Lane, and 21-year-old striker Coulthrist came close to drawing their side level in Colorado and their manager was enthusiastic over their prospects.

"We showed a good reaction after going 2-0 down, scored to make it 2-1 and created chances but only scored one goal," Pochettino told Tottenham's official website. "It was a difficult game, tough and the players felt it a little in the altitude, but in the end there were lots of positives – and a lot of things that we need to improve as well.

"It is a great experience for the young players and again, there are a lot of positive things to take from that. It is important for them to be involved in the first team because I think they are the future of the club."

The quintet will be hoping to make inroads similar to those travelled by Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason, who all become integral to Pochettino's first team plans last season.

Tottenham played three pre-season games against Southend, Reading and Brentford prior to Thursday's game in the US. Next week the club travel to Munich for the Audi Cup where they will take on Real Madrid on 4 August before facing either Bayern Munich or AC Milan the following day.