Mauricio Pochettino is seeing progress with the USMNT despite their recent Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico. The former Chelsea and PSG boss, who took charge in October 2024, believes his team is on the right track with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away.
"We're in a very good process, and we're happy in the way things are going," Pochettino shared on the U.S. Soccer podcast. He understands the expectations that come with representing the United States, noting that Americans "always want to be the best in every single thing."
The USMNT's Gold Cup campaign showed promising signs. After a rough patch of four straight losses before the tournament, Pochettino guided his squad to five consecutive victories before falling 2-1 to Mexico in the final.
Building Team Depth Under Pressure
What makes the Gold Cup run more impressive is that Pochettino achieved it without several key players. Stars like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and Weston McKennie were absent, forcing the coach to rely on less experienced MLS players.
This situation has actually helped Pochettino build crucial depth in his squad. "The most important thing is to provide belief and trust in the players," he explained. His approach gives players confidence that strong performances will earn them opportunities with the national team.
This depth-building strategy could pay dividends for bettors considering the USMNT's chances at the World Cup. A deeper player pool means the team might be better equipped to handle injuries or suspensions during the tournament.
The Call for Stronger Fan Support
One challenge Pochettino wants to address is fan support at matches. During the Gold Cup, the USMNT faced hostile environments where opposing fans dominated the stands, particularly against Guatemala and Mexico.
"Football is a contest of emotion," Pochettino emphasized. "We need to translate to the fans the emotion that we feel when we play." He believes connecting with American supporters is crucial for the team's World Cup chances on home soil.
"If we are capable of that, in that moment we can say we are going to be unstoppable because the potential here is massive," the coach added with conviction.
The USMNT will continue its development under Pochettino with upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan on September 6 and 9. These matches offer perfect opportunities for bettors to assess the team's progress as they build toward the 2026 World Cup.
With approximately one year until the tournament kicks off, Pochettino's extended time with the squad during recent competitions has provided valuable experience. The upcoming international windows will be critical in determining whether the USMNT can transform into genuine contenders on home soil.
