Having tested the waters of managerial free agency, Mauricio Pochettino has decided to dive back into the world of international soccer, signing a new four-year deal to remain head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
His role since September 2024, Pochettino had little time to prepare his side for a home FIFA World Cup this summer. Ultimately, his team played some scintillating soccer at times as they won their group and their first knockout stage game since 2002, before being humbled in the Round of 16 by Belgium as they waved farewell to hopes of reaching their first quarterfinal in 24 years.
Pochettino’s initial contract expired following the World Cup, leaving his future, and that of the USMNT, in the air in recent weeks. However, on Monday, U.S. Soccer announced that the Argentine had returned to guide the USMNT through this next World Cup cycle, which will culminate with the tournament in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal - should they qualify.
Given the scale of the challenge that lies before him, including his first-ever attempt at a World Cup qualifying campaign as well as two Gold Cups (2027 and 2029) and potentially the Copa America in 2028, Pochettino told team media he plans to adjust his approach to the role compared to his recent, relatively brief, stint prior to this summer's tournament.
“We were talking a lot in the last few weeks, between us, the coaching staff, to try to open a new chapter and not to be a continuation of what happened in the last 18-19 months that we were working. We were only with the objective to arrive in the best conditions of the World Cup,” he explained.
“Now, the approach is going to be different and must be different because it's a four-year cycle, it's a project that is about to establish and to set a different principle, and I think all this time from finishing the World Cup until today, I think we were talking a lot about the board and the whole organization of the federation and to try to settle new principles and to approach in a different way and to build what we want.”
This change of approach and longer-term approach will likely see several changes to the lineup fans had become accustomed to in recent months, especially with multiple impressive young players beginning to emerge both in the MLS and abroad. What’s more, this could mean the likes of Tim Ream, Matt Turner, and Cristian Roldan, who are all over 30, may begin to see fewer minutes in the coming years.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
“During the process I think we met a number of players, I think more than 70 players and I think we have the talent but also we are seeing that start to appear new talented players, 16, 17, 18, 19 year old, young kids with the possibility and potential to be important players in the next World Cup and I think what we are seeing is an amazing potential,” Pochettino said.
“The MLS clubs are working really well, the coaches, the organization, also it's a thing that we were seeing and I think we need to congratulate the people because they are doing a fantastic job but also the vision of the people that work in the federation and from the top to the bottom, the people that are investing in soccer in the USA, people that are behind the scenes but also step up and start to show their love for that sport and I think it's an amazing mix to be very optimistic with the future and of course being part of that for us is an honor.”
Naturally, Pochettino did not name any specific players to watch out for, but it isn’t hard to guess that the likes of Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti of the New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake’s Zavier Gozo, and the Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan are among those the Argentine will be keeping tabs on.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
