Mauricio Pochettino’s first year as USMNT head coach has been marked by both progress and setbacks. With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, what has Pochettino done well, and where does he need to improve?
With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) faces a pivotal year in its journey toward the global tournament. Mauricio Pochettino, who took over as head coach in the fall of 2023, has had a bumpy ride in his early tenure, leaving questions about his tactical effectiveness and the team’s overall development. Despite a lot of enthusiasm about Pochettino’s leadership style and his ability to change the team’s culture, the results have left much to be desired.
Tactics and In-Game Decision Making
Pochettino’s tactical approach has been anything but consistent. At its best, his system relies on a 4-3-3 formation, often designed to exploit the pace and skill of the USMNT’s wingers. However, the squad has struggled with injuries and player absences, which have forced Pochettino to shuffle his tactics based on the available personnel. During the Gold Cup, many of the team’s key players—such as Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Weston McKennie—were unavailable, leaving Pochettino with an inexperienced group to work with.
One of the major criticisms of Pochettino thus far has been his in-game decision-making. At the Gold Cup, his reluctance to make more aggressive substitutions, particularly during crunch moments, was glaring. The coach’s conservative approach left fans and analysts questioning whether he had the courage to make bold moves in tight situations. This is an area where Pochettino will need to improve, especially with World Cup qualifiers approaching.
Grade: C
Man Management and the Pulisic Saga
Pochettino’s ability to manage the locker room has generally received positive reviews, with players praising his approach to creating an open, inclusive environment. His message has been clear: “Be yourself.” He has managed to instill confidence in the younger players, many of whom had yet to make a significant impact at the international level. However, one of the most significant challenges of his tenure has been his handling of Christian Pulisic. The Chelsea winger, arguably the most talented player in the pool, skipped the Gold Cup amid speculation about his relationship with Pochettino. The coach’s handling of the situation created a media firestorm, and while it was clear that Pochettino was exercising his authority, the situation became an unwanted distraction.
While Pochettino deserves credit for his transparency, the Pulisic situation remains unresolved and continues to loom over the USMNT. The manager must find a way to integrate Pulisic effectively into the system while maintaining harmony within the squad.
Grade: B-
Talent Development: Focus on Youth
Despite the challenges on the field, Pochettino has done well to focus on nurturing young talent, particularly in the lead-up to the World Cup. His decision to give opportunities to emerging players like Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang was one of the bright spots of the summer. These players’ development, particularly Tillman, who had struggled to make an impact in previous USMNT appearances, has been notable. Pochettino’s work with players like Chris Richards, who took a leadership role during the Gold Cup, also deserves recognition.
Though Pochettino’s mandate is clear—win games and make deep progress in the World Cup—his focus on integrating younger players has paid off in the form of increased competition for places. This bodes well for the future of the USMNT, even if immediate results have not yet materialized.
Grade: B+
Building a Winning Culture
When Pochettino first arrived, one of his key promises was to instill a culture of winning in the USMNT camp. That vision is slowly becoming a reality, though it remains a work in progress. The USMNT’s Gold Cup campaign was not one of their strongest, but there was a noticeable shift in the team’s mentality. Even with a less-than-ideal squad, Pochettino managed to create a sense of unity and pride within the group. His commitment to building this culture—one that values togetherness above all—has been evident in the way players have spoken about the camp experience.
Pochettino has made it clear that the culture of the USMNT must evolve, and while progress is being made, translating this into consistent victories will be the true test. As more senior players return to the fold, it will be interesting to see how the new culture holds up under pressure.
Grade: B+
Results: The Final Measure of Success
Results are ultimately what define a coach, and in this area, Pochettino’s record remains underwhelming. Since taking charge, the USMNT has registered just nine wins from 16 matches. The team has only managed a 56% win rate under Pochettino, which is below the standards set by previous managers such as Gregg Berhalter (68%), Bruce Arena (66%), and Jurgen Klinsmann (64%). While the comparison is not entirely fair, given the challenges of integrating a new coach with limited time to work, the fact remains that Pochettino’s win percentage thus far is concerning.
A particularly sour note was struck during the March CONCACAF Nations League, where the USMNT under Pochettino fell flat against both Panama and Canada. These were matches where, with a near full-strength squad, the team was expected to perform better. The lack of response and resilience in these key moments has led many to question Pochettino’s readiness for the pressures of a World Cup cycle.
With just a year until the World Cup, Pochettino has little time to turn things around. The upcoming friendlies will be his final opportunity to deploy his preferred squad and adjust the system to ensure the team is ready for the tournament.
Mauricio Pochettino’s early tenure as head coach of the USMNT has been a mix of highs and lows. While the culture and team dynamics have improved, tactical issues, poor in-game management, and underwhelming results are clouding his legacy. With less than a year until the 2026 World Cup, time is quickly running out for Pochettino to solve these problems and prove he can lead the USMNT to new heights.
