When the United States Soccer Federation appointed Mauricio Pochettino as manager of the men's national team, it was heralded as the most ambitious hire in the programme's history. Following their Round of 16 exit at the 2022 World Cup, the Argentine was tasked with transforming the side into genuine contenders for the 2026 tournament, which America will co-host.
A Turbulent Beginning
The initial phase of Pochettino's tenure proved challenging. The USMNT lost five consecutive matches against teams positioned within the top 30 of the FIFA World Rankings. This difficult start generated significant criticism, with much of the scrutiny focused on the manager's seemingly endless squad rotation and his decisions to leave key players out of the lineup.
Compounding the on-pitch struggles has been persistent speculation linking Pochettino with a return to the Premier League. Rumours connecting him to clubs like Manchester United and even a sentimental return to Tottenham have surfaced regularly. While he dismissed links to Spurs as 'not realistic' in June, he recently admitted to the BBC, 'Of course I am missing it... thinking one day to come back to the Premier League.'
The Tinkering Strategy and Its Critics
Pochettino's most debated tactic has been his extensive squad experimentation. In a stark contrast to the settled nature of squads like England's, Pochettino has called up a remarkable 71 players to the USMNT first team. This approach has left many fans and pundits perplexed, struggling to identify a consistent 'first team' as the roster changes with every international window.
This tinkering presents a unique challenge for this World Cup cycle. As hosts, the United States does not participate in qualifying matches, depriving Pochettino of competitive fixtures to test his squad. His selections have therefore raised eyebrows, such as the repeated omission of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
Perhaps the most controversial call was the recent inclusion of Gio Reyna. Despite playing just six times for Borussia Monchengladbach this season and having only one USMNT appearance since the 2024 Copa America, Pochettino described his selection as a 'special situation'. The decision appeared justified when Reyna scored just four minutes into his return during a victory over Paraguay.
Turning the Corner
Despite the ongoing debates, a positive trend has emerged. Following a defeat to South Korea in September, the United States is now unbeaten in their last four matches. These results have come against World Cup-qualified opponents, with three of those teams ranked in the world's top 30. Victories over Japan and Australia, coupled with a draw against Ecuador, suggest the team is finally discovering its rhythm.
Pochettino has reframed the early negativity as a motivational tool. 'All the negativity was a positive thing,' he told reporters. 'We used it to build that joy... Let's be realistic and do the impossible.' He has also defended his long-term vision, arguing that the only victories that truly matter will come at the World Cup itself, pointing out that teams who peak too early often falter when the tournament arrives.
The gamble is clear. Pochettino is prioritising system familiarity over settled chemistry. The theory is that by integrating a large pool of players into his tactical framework, he can later seamlessly plug in established stars like Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, with the supporting cast already prepared to elevate their game.
Veteran defender Tim Ream has endorsed this cultural approach, believing the team's identity can remain consistent regardless of personnel. However, questions linger after the US failed to win their only competitive matches under Pochettino so far, suffering defeats in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal and the Gold Cup final.
For now, the ship appears to be steadying. If Pochettino's grand experiment culminates in a deep World Cup run on home soil, the criticism of his methods will swiftly be forgotten. The entire nation now watches, hoping their celebrated captain can indeed steer them to greatness.
