How a ‘naive’ Mauricio Pochettino’s lowest moments turned the USMNT into World Cup darlings
Summary
Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the US men’s national soccer team (USMNT), described tough moments including a loss to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup final and a semifinal defeat to Panama in the Nations League. These challenges helped the team improve and perform well early in the 2026 World Cup, earning top spot in their group.Key Facts
- The USMNT lost the 2025 Gold Cup final to Mexico, their main rival.
- The coach, Pochettino, felt the team underestimated the difficulty of their path.
- The team faced low fan attendance and hostility during some matches on home soil.
- In March 2025, they lost to Panama in the Nations League semi-final, missing the final.
- The USMNT has improved and achieved two wins with a strong goal difference at the 2026 World Cup.
- The team secured first place in their group, allowing them a less pressured game ahead.
- Pochettino sees these setbacks as important lessons that helped the team grow.
- Issues identified included the team’s culture and complacency, which they aim to fix.
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