Mauricio Pochettino is thinking big — but starting small — as he takes the helm of the USMNT
'We need to believe that we can win, that we can win not only a game, that we can win the World Cup,' Pochettino said in an introductory news conference
Mauricio Pochettino already has big plans for the U.S. men's national team, just days after being officially hired as the USMNT's new head coach. The 52-year-old manager spoke to media Friday at an introductory news conference, laying out some of his short- and long-term plans for the U.S. team.
Pochettino's main goal, he said, is to win. With the U.S. coming off of a disappointing run of games, winning is the most important thing to help turn the team around.
"We need to believe that we can win, that we can win not only a game, that we can win the World Cup," Pochettino said. "We want players that arrive Day 1 at the training camp and [are] thinking big. That is the only way to create this philosophy or this idea, all together, to perform and to put your talent in the service of the team."
"We need to believe that we can win."
Pochettino is thinking big ahead of 2026 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/wXV4MtYdkB— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2024
Pochettino admitted that this would be "a massive challenge," saying that rebuilding confidence will be a big factor moving forward.
"We have very talented players. Of course the confidence was a little bit low," Pochettino said. "But we're going to work and create the right environment to get the confidence, recover the confidence and start to perform."
Pochettino's contract runs through the 2026 World Cup, which will be held on home soil and will be a crucial chance for the USMNT to perform on an international stage. After the last few international disappointments — including crashing out of 2024 Copa América early and falling in yet another Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup — there will be high expectations for the Argentine coach to give the U.S. new life over the next two years.
Although long-term goals are important, Pochettino admitted that they needed to start small: The first priority, he said, was to get a feel for the team.
"Of course we have a plan, but the most important is to feel how they are, how they feel all together," Pochettino said.
In terms of playing style, Pochettino wants the team to be attack-focused, but is keeping his mind open.
“We are flexible. We’re a coaching staff that wants to play good football. To convince our fans to join us, the aesthetic is important. We want to play nice football, attacking football,” he said.
Most people, Pochettino said, think about international duty as having less time — compared to club play — to practice and prepare as a team, but he disagrees.
"I am in the opposite side. I believe that it's time enough," Pochettino said. "I don't want to create an excuse for the players to say, 'Oh but now, now we don't have time to buy the new ideas and new philosophy.' No.
"Football is like this," he continued, snapping for effect. "It's to touch the right button and start to perform ... I think that the players are so intelligent and so talented, and they can, I think, play in a different way. For sure, we have time."
The USMNT's first game with Pochettino on the sideline will be Oct. 12, with a friendly against Panama in Austin, Texas. It will be Pochettino's first chance to help the team — and the fans — rebuild that confidence.
