Experienced Coach Mauricio Pochettino signed on to become the new U.S. men’s national soccer team’s head coach following the team’s disappointing display at the 2024 Copa America.
After getting grouped via losses against Uruguay and Panama, the US Soccer Federation relieved ex-head coach Gregg Berhalter of his duties and set out to find his successor. The USA will host the FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, in 2026.
The Argentinian had been a free agent since leaving Chelsea Football Club this past May. With stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, the UCL finalist is set on international management.
Focusing on a high-pressure style of play and a knack for developing young players, Pochettino has a few tasks waiting for him. Being an underdog for most of his managerial career, Pochettino knows the feeling and ambition it will take to get the team to perform at a higher level, while potentially getting the job done both on and off the pitch.
Pochettino is the first ever South American to be appointed as head coach of the USMNT, following a trend in the Americas. This trend that seems to prove that Argentinian coaches get the job done. Néstor Lorenzo took Colombia to the Copa America final this past summer and Ricardo Gareca helped Peru qualify for the World Cup after 36 years for the 2018 edition of the tournament. Fernando Batista is potentially guiding Venezuela for its first-ever World Cup campaign in its history as its run of form in qualifiers for the 2026 edition is showing promise. Tata Martino with Inter Miami, Hernán Crespo with Al Ain and Diego Simeone with Atletico Madrid fill up the list as well.
From 2021 through 2023 the USMNT squad showed they could go toe to toe against the better teams worldwide, taking every game as a learning point. Now the goal is to do more than just go toe to toe. The goal is to win it all.
“We are here, because we want to win,” Pochettino stated, according to Fox Sports.
Pochettino’s first double fixture is this upcoming October. While hosting Panama, the focus shifts to the match against Mexico being played in Guadalajara. “Dos a Cero” rivalry matches always get fans talking as Mexico reigned over the U.S. in the 2010s.
Since the start of the decade, the USA has played Mexico at the senior level a total of seven times with the USA winning five games and two matches ending in a draw. Three of those wins have seen the USA triumph three titles over their biggest rivals.
Eyes are going to be on the Argentinian and his team going forward with the 2025 Gold Cup and 2025 CONCACAF Nations League just over the horizon.