Following a lackluster 2-0 loss to a Portugal side that rested Cristiano Ronaldo, Pochettino didn’t mince words about the talent gap his squad currently faces.

“Belgium and Portugal both have players in that ‘top 100’ tier, players performing at the highest elite level. Right now, I don’t think we have that,” Pochettino told reporters. “We have to be honest about where we are if we want to bridge that gap before June.”

A depleted roster or a deeper issue?

While the results were sobering, the USMNT was far from full strength. A localized “injury crisis” in the backline forced Pochettino into experimental lineups, including playing winger Tim Weah at right-back to counter the pace of Belgium’s Jeremy Doku.

The list of absentees for the March window reads like a “who’s who” of the American starting XI:

• Chris Richards (Crystal Palace): Knee inflammation forced him out of camp.
• Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati): Groin injury sustained during training in Atlanta.
• Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven): Still sidelined with a lingering hamstring issue from early March.
• James Sands (NYCFC): Ruled out for the season; his World Cup hopes are effectively over.
• Tyler Adams (Bournemouth): The captain missed the window entirely with a quad injury.
• Antonee “Jedi” Robinson (Fulham): While in camp, the left-back was kept on a strict “minutes restriction.”

Despite the “growing talent” narrative often touted by U.S. Soccer, conceding five goals to Belgium and failing to find the net against Portugal’s B-team highlights a lack of depth that could prove fatal in the group stages.

The road to the final 26

The clock is officially ticking. Pochettino now has less than two months to evaluate his options before the May 30 deadline to submit his final World Cup roster.

Insiders expect the formal announcement to come between May 26 and May 28, just ahead of the team’s final tune-up matches against Senegal and Germany. For the players on the bubble, the “reality check” in Atlanta may have been the final deciding factor in whether they make the flight to the World Cup opener.

“If I’m the player, I say, ‘Why are you calling me with bad news?’” Pochettino said regarding the upcoming roster cuts. “If they need to call me, I am very open to explaining… but of course, it’s going to be a very sad process making these decisions.”

The atmosphere around the squad is growing increasingly tense. Between USMNT legend Landon Donovan publicly questioning teenager Noahkai Banks’ commitment after he declined a recent call-up, and the fallout from this five-goal collapse, Pochettino is navigating a locker room under fire just months before the tournament kicks off.

Even former manager Gregg Berhalter, now with the Chicago Fire, noted Pochettino’s previous bold claims to Donald Trump that the U.S. can win it all. After the Belgian masterclass, however, the U.S. status as a tournament favorite is facing its harshest scrutiny yet.

Who is missing from the camp?

Pochettino’s recent comments have cast a long shadow over several regular starters who were left out of this international window. Whether due to injury or tactical preference, the following players face a steep climb back into the World Cup picture:

• The medical room: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, quad), Sergino Dest (PSV, hamstring), Haji Wright (Coventry City, groin), and James Sands (NYCFC, ankle surgery) all remain sidelined.
• Fitness concerns: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
• Tactical shocks: Yunus Musah (Atalanta).
• The “fringe” list: Lennard Maloney, Kristoffer Lund, Patrick Agyemang and Folarin Balogun.

The road ahead

The U.S. have little time to lick their wounds. Their next test comes against Portugal in the final leg of this international window.

It is a massive opportunity to silence the critics and prove that the Belgian disaster was an outlier rather than a preview of their World Cup exit. With the pressure to perform on home soil reaching a fever pitch, a statement win is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.

“I love it,“ Berhalter replied to Bolavip at a press conference before Chicago‘s MLS game against the Columbus Crew. “I mean, that’s the mentality we need, right? We go into any tournament, and you believe you can win. And I think that’s the most important thing for the mindset of any group entering a tournament.

“Because, in reality, anything is possible, right? In theory, on any given day, we can beat any team in the world. So, you know, when you get to through the group, and hopefully we will, it’s a knockout phase, and it really is about the day, the form of the day. So, you know, I’m excited at that statement. I think it shows intention,” Berhalter continued.

“The group has had World Cup experience, the majority of that group. So they understand what a World Cup is like. We’ll have the home fans behind us, and I think it’s a great mindset to go into the World Cup with.”

Berhalter, of course, is very familiar with the USMNT roster, having coached the Stars and Stripes until 2024. With him at the helm, the USA reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Netherlands won that game 3-1 before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual champions Argentina).

What Pochettino told President Trump about the USA’s World Cup mindset

With the tournament taking place in North America this year, all eyes will be on whether Pochettino can lead the team further on home soil. The Argentine-born manager appears to have enough confidence to do so.

During a recent appearance on The High Performance Podcast, Pochettino shed light into a conversation with President Donald Trump about the USA’s chances at the 2026 World Cup.

“At the draw of the World Cup, I met Donald Trump for a few minutes. He asked me, ‘What do you think coach? Can you win the World Cup?’ I said, ‘Of course, Mr. President’. Because it’s the USA. The American dream is there. The American culture is about being first, being number one,” Pochettino said.

“When we accepted the challenge to go there, it was because we really believe that we can win (the World Cup). After a year and a half working there, people start to feel that we can win. The last few camps in October and November… we competed against very good teams and we started to show that possibility to perform well.

“We are going to have the support of a massive country and all its fans. To try and push us to run, score goals, and make tackles. I think that will be a massive boost for us,” Pochettino added.

The USMNT’s form ahead of 2026 World Cup

Riding on a five-game unbeaten run, the USMNT has been in promising form as of late, boasting 14 wins in its last 22 appearances. On top of that, it took down the likes of Uruguay and Paraguay in November, boosting the country’s hopes. Paraguay will be one of the USA’s group stage opponents at the 2026 World Cup, with Australia and the UEFA Playoff C winner completing Group D.

When the U.S. Soccer Federation turned to Mauricio Pochettino in 2025, it wasn’t just hiring a tactician—it was making a statement. A marquee name for a program with rising ambitions and unfinished business.

Fresh off stints at PSG and Chelsea, the Argentine manager arrived with pedigree, pressure and a paycheck to match. The deal marked a shift in how the soccer federation values international leadership and what it’s willing to pay for it.

His salary has drawn attention both at home and abroad, sparking comparisons with past USMNT coaches and global heavyweights. But beyond the numbers, it’s the expectations that truly define the contract.

How long will Mauricio Pochettino be at USMNT?

Mauricio Pochettino inked a two‑year contract when he took charge of the U.S. Men’s National Team back in September 2024, with his term running through the 2026 World Cup on home soil. So, he still has a little more than a year left.

The deal was carefully structured: FIFA’s build‑up schedule around the World Cup gives him just enough time to implement his high‑intensity style while leaving room for renewal if he delivers on expectations.

Behind the scenes, U.S. Soccer inserted a sizeable buy‑out clause to protect against poaching by a major European club, signaling their intent to keep him through the tournament cycle.

What is Mauricio Pochettino’s salary at USMNT?

Mauricio Pochettino earns a reported $6 million per year, making him the highest‑paid head coach in USMNT history—nearly triple the $2.3 million earned annually by predecessor Gregg Berhalter, according to ESPN.

This hefty sum is underpinned by the Federation and donors: hedge fund billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin and partner Scott Goodwin funded much of the package as part of a “philanthropic leadership gift” earmarked for elite-level coaching.

The investment marks a sharp turn for U.S. Soccer, reflecting a strategic commitment to elite leadership and signaling that they’re willing to pay top dollar for international pedigree.

In an interview with GOAL, Mauricio Pochettino took part in a challenge where he had to describe players in one word. He called Neymar a “Magician.” Pochettino also mentioned Messi, describing him as a “Genius.” Even Kylian Mbappe was included and labeled as a “Killer.”

Nevertheless, the biggest surprise came when Pochettino named Marco Verratti the best soccer player he has ever seen. This was surprising because Pochettino had shared a dressing room with Ronaldinho before becoming a coach. He had the opportunity to play alongside and manage some of the game’s greatest talents. That’s why his choice of the Italian midfielder caught many off guard.

Verratti left a lasting legacy at PSG. He became one of the club’s most influential players of the decade. The Italian was among the first signings made after Qatar took ownership of Paris Saint-Germain. Verratti arrived as a promising youngster from the humble Italian club Pescara. Eventually Marco earned the captain’s armband, further cementing his legacy at PSG.

During his time in Europe, top clubs like FC Barcelona showed strong interest in signing him for a massive fee. However, PSG refused to sell him. Then, Verratti became a true symbol of the club playing 276 games for the club.

How Mauricio Pochettino handled coaching Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe?

Mauricio Pochettino took Tottenham to the pinnacle of European soccer, leading them to the Champions League final. However, they fell short, losing to Liverpool. After five years at the club, Pochettino parted ways with Tottenham. Following a two-year break from coaching, Paris Saint-Germain hired him to manage a star-studded squad featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar.

Despite having a luxury attacking trio, Mauricio Pochettino failed to achieve the club’s objective: to win the Champions League. Beyond the titles, his team never managed to perform well. His game did not have a clear identity like the Tottenham he managed. Despite this, Pochettino won three titles in two seasons, his only trophies as a manager.

Mauricio Pochettino earns praise for his impressive work as USMNT coach

Mauricio Pochettino has only coached six games with the USMNT, but his impact is already noticeable. He has suffered just one loss, falling to Mexico, while implementing an impressive attacking style. Despite missing key stars like Yunus Musah, Max Tillman, and Christian Pulisic, he has maximized the talent of young players such as Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic.

The USMNT’s future looks bright, with several young players already competing in Europe and local talent proving they can step up when given the opportunity. While there is still work to be done, the team’s progress under Pochettino is already showing promising results.

In a press conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly match between the United States and Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, a journalist inquired: “We’re in Miami—before you leave, are you planning to speak to Leo Messi’s sons and convince them to play for the U.S. National Team?”

Pochettino laughed and quickly responded, “No, no. No way. I appreciate the joke, it’s a good one. Having Messi on your team is anyone’s dream, of course.” However, when the journalist clarified that he was referring to Messi’s children and not the soccer icon himself, Mauricio’s response shifted.

“Ah, I thought you meant Leo. Ah, his children—to naturalize them as Americans. Well, we could talk,” Pochettino said, before acknowledging the challenges such a scenario would present. “The thing is, maybe I’ll be too old by the time the kids are ready for the senior national team. I likely won’t be there, but sure, it would be interesting—why not?”

However, the USMNT coach tempered his response by expressing doubt about the likelihood of Messi’s sons choosing the U.S. over Argentina. “Considering they’re Leo’s children, with Argentine blood running through their veins, I think it would be difficult to convince them to play for the United States,” he added.

How old are Messi’s children?

While the journalist’s question was likely more playful than serious, Pochettino’s remarks were grounded in reality. Indeed, it will be many years before Messi’s children are old enough to make a decision about their international careers.

Thiago, Messi’s oldest son, turned 12 in November and is already playing for Inter Miami’s youth teams. Mateo, the second-oldest, is 9, and Ciro, the youngest, is just 6. With these ages in mind, it will be quite some time before we see them don the colors of any national team.

Additionally, when the time comes, Messi’s sons will face the challenge of choosing which national team to represent. While both of their parents are Argentine, granting them the option to follow in Lionel’s footsteps, they were all born in Spain, making them eligible to represent the current European champions as well.

Pochettino and Messi: A shared history

Beyond their shared Argentine heritage, Pochettino and Messi have history together. Pochettino was Messi’s coach at Paris Saint-Germain during his first season in France, where the duo secured the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title. However, their campaign in the UEFA Champions League ended in disappointment with a round-of-16 exit to Real Madrid, which ultimately led to Pochettino’s departure at the end of that season.

The USMNT looked lively against Panama, playing with purpose, stringing passes together with intent. True, Christian Pulisic was on the field, and Gianluca Busio and Yunus Musah were playing their best game in a US kit; it was the best performance in months for the team.

Then came a trip to Mexico, minus various players, and once again many underperformed and were run off the field. For Mauricio Pochettino, these should be his key takeaways from his first USMNT camp.

A Team vs. B Team

The USMNT clearly is a team with no depth, and Mauricio Pochettino will have to work hard to create it. When players like Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, and Folarin Balogun are missing from the lineup, things come crashing down considerably.

The understudies continue to produce little for the national team, especially the likes of Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Malik Tillman, Josh Sargent, and Brenden Aaronson, who continue to get chance after chance with the national team but remain flat. Even with an ACL injury, Dest, for example, can rest easy knowing that Scally did little to challenge for his spot on the team.

In the search for players in MLS, US Soccer must make sure Pochettino is aware of ignored young talent in Europe.

One thing that stood out a lot from Pochettino’s press conference is that he wants to search in MLS for talents for the national team. The problem is that realistically only two or three players could get looks. There is a group of players, all very young, in Europe who really need a chance in favor of the old guard players who continue to fail to produce.

Pochettino has to find a way to take a look at Diego Kochen, Gabriel Slonina, Lennard Maloney, Paxten Aaronson, Kevin Paredes, Taylor Booth, and Rokas Pukštas. Some players may overlap, but none of these players have been given a major opportunity on the national team.

At the MLS level, the biggest name the program needs to see is Diego Luna, followed by Brian Gutiérrez, and on a lesser scale, John Tolkin, Roman Celentano, and James Sands.

For some odd reason, I can’t shake the notion that Benjamin Cremaschi will find his way to the national team, whether he deserves to be there or not.

Matt Turner It Is

Matt Turner is one lucky guy. Through two full head coaches and a few interim coaches, he always seems to be the number one for the USMNT. It was telling that in a camp that lasted a week, one goalkeeper was sent home, and Patrick Schulte wasn’t given a start. Turner and his lack of minutes seem to be ahead of everyone, which is worrying.

Positives from the Camp

Gianluca Busio is a player that the US cannot let slip by. He has a soccer brain, is a good passer of the ball, and when paired with good players around him, he has the talent to be more than just a physical presence or “hard worker.” The US needs more “soccer players” and fewer “hard workers.”

Marlon Fossey didn’t play this camp, but his stock is up as one of the few who truly grabbed the chance to play for the US.

Aidan Morris can be a solution for the team—not as a starter, but as a second option. Today, Morris showed he can beat out Luca De La Torre for a national team spot.

The USMNT looked lively in their first game—while not a perfect unit, they displayed a more balanced approach, resulting in one of the best USMNT performances in months. Mexico, on the other hand, played Valencia of LaLiga to a 2-2 draw in yet another poor performance, this time under Javier Aguirre in his third stint as manager.

Mauricio Pochettino sent home various players for reasons ranging from fatigue to possible injuries. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were among the select group who returned to Europe. Still, Pochettino has a formal lineup expected to be fielded against Mexico.

Who Mauricio Pochettino May Play in USMNT vs. Mexico

With players sent home and a new chance to test other roster players, look for Mauricio Pochettino to mix and match his squad. Expect the USMNT to line up as follows:

Predicted Starting XI for USMNT vs. Mexico:
Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman, Josh Sargent.

Mexico Predicted Lineup:
Rangel, Sanchez, Orozco, Montes, Gonzalez, Alvarez, Romo, Rodriguez, Vega, Herrera, Jimenez.

The USMNT has not lost in their last seven encounters with Mexico. The last time El Tri claimed victory over the Stars and Stripes was in 2019 during a friendly match, where Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez found the net.

Then a much-needed move to Italy occurred, and Busio began to gain minutes and experience with now Serie A side Venezia. He dropped down the USMNT pecking order due to preference, as Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Johnny Cardoso, and Luca de la Torre were all favored.

After establishing himself in Italy and looking like one of the better players on his club team, Busio finally got a second chance with new USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, and the midfielder did not fail.

Gianluca Busio Impresses in Win Over Panama

Finally getting substantial minutes alongside the likes of Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, who pushed forward often, Busio contributed to the team’s 2-0 win over Panama. The lively USMNT side showcased an intensity that it had been lacking, but Busio was able to provide crisp passes, smart ball movement, and distant shooting opportunities.

Busio also formed an interesting tandem with Aidan Morris of Middlesbrough, as the midfielders played off each other and looked very comfortable. Busio’s 67 minutes were solid and have left the USMNT wanting to see more of the American shining in Serie A.

For Busio, his form suggests the importance of Americans playing substantial minutes for their club teams. After an injury in the Olympics forced the midfielder to miss the first three games of Serie A this season, he has started all four matches since.

The next stop is a match against Mexico, where Busio will have a new chance to prove that he can bring the creativity and intelligence in the midfield that the USMNT has lacked for a long time.

At AC Milan, Christian Pulisic has been able to break through a lot of walls, first and foremost the banter that he was not a big club player, showcasing his talent in key games. Last season, he put up career numbers and is on pace to break them this year. The other criticism he has faced is that he is injury-prone; however, he went all of last season without an injury, thanks to Stefano Pioli properly managing the American’s minutes.

This year, Christian Pulisic is front and center at AC Milan, without question being the club’s best player this season, and therefore carrying a lot of his team when Milan becomes stagnated. Mauricio Pochettino wants to make certain that, when it comes to the USMNT, his staff knows how to take care of the team’s best player.

Mauricio Pochettino on Christian Pulisic’s Minutes

In a report by Pro Soccer Wire, Mauricio Pochettino was clear about his thoughts on how to work with Christian Pulisic this window: “(Pulisic) is playing every single game, every single minute. That is also a thing that we are a little bit worried about.

“Sometimes we need to protect [Pulisic]. We’ll see, because he arrived a little bit tired. [We need to] build a very good relationship with the club [AC Milan] and try to help. And when we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong, and the quality is there, because he has enormous talent. He’s a fantastic player.”

Christian Pulisic has been red-hot for AC Milan, with key goals in the Champions League and a world-class finish against Inter Milan in the Milan derby. The American has gone from cult hero to major star for AC Milan, receiving some of the loudest praise from the San Siro crowd.

Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United was one of many players singled out by members of the media as a major underachievers on the team when Gregg Berhalter was fired. Currently with 44 caps and 8 goals, the winger has suffered from a major drop in form during his last two years at both Leeds and Union Berlin.

Now back with Leeds, Aaronson has elevated his game on the left wing and has 2 goals in 9 games for his team, looking to bounce back. That upgrade in level was seen firsthand by Pochettino, who in a press conference last week pointed to Aaronson as one of many players he wants to “test” and “build back up.”

Brenden Aaronson on Mauricio Pochettino

As the team assembled this week for their two friendlies against Panama and Mexico, Mauricio Pochettino has been working hard with the team, and US Soccer has uploaded videos on social media showcasing the drills the team is running. For Aaronson, he has already seen how things are different under Pochettino’s leadership.

In speaking with TJ Sports USA, Aaronson said, “The last couple of days getting to know him, getting to know the whole staff around him, has been really good. Feel like we’ve already learned a lot; we learned about the style of play we wanna play today at training. I think everyone is ready to learn from him. You can just see the buzz and its excitement, so it’s really good.”

Mauricio Pochettino and Brenden Aaronson share a strangely similar story; both were at one time observed by Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa traveled to Murphy when Pochettino was a boy to bring him to Newell’s Old Boys.

In the case of Aaronson, indirectly, it was Bielsa who had approved to the Leeds board to sign the American after watching him play for Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. By the time Aaronson arrived at Leeds, Bielsa had left the club, but the decision to bring the American occurred long before Jesse Marsch had arrived.