How Mauricio Pochettino made the U.S. World Cup team believe : NPR

Key Points:

• Mauricio Pochettino, a high-profile coach with experience managing top European clubs and working with soccer stars, took over as head coach of the U.S. men's national team in 2024 amid a disappointing period for the team ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
• Upon arrival, Pochettino found a culture of complacency among players and a lack of readiness for the World Cup, prompting a rapid overhaul of the roster and a focus on instilling a competitive, committed mindset inspired by his Argentinian background.
• Despite early struggles and losses in 2025, Pochettino's process of integrating over 70 players and fostering competition led to improved team culture and performance, with the U.S. showing greater intensity, fluid offense, and confidence in recent matches.
• The U.S. team has since achieved an unbeaten streak against strong opponents and scored six goals in the first two 2026 World Cup matches, doubling their 2022 total, raising expectations for a deep tournament run and a potential quarterfinal appearance.
• Pochettino's contract ends after the World Cup, and while his future with U.S. Soccer is uncertain, his impact on the team's identity and culture has created renewed belief among players and fans that the U.S. can compete at the highest level.