Mauricio Pochettino’s first and only tournament in charge of the U.S. men’s national team prior to the World Cup is in the books.
A junior varsity version of the U.S. met expectations this summer, reaching the Gold Cup final and falling to Mexico on Sunday. Entering this summer, Pochettino sought to recalibrate the USMNT’s culture. According to the Argentine and the few veterans that were in this camp, that mission was accomplished.
In addition to fostering cohesion, Pochettino valued his first tournament experience as an international manager. When I asked him about it last week, he said, “It’s a good experience to be able to have, and to feel what it means. We’re constantly traveling… we’ve learned a lot of things, we’ve also learned a lot of things from the players, the group, the staff. It’s an experience that’s going to help us a lot to prepare for the World Cup.”
Though its impact on the U.S.’s 2026 World Cup showing may prove subtle, this summer served its purpose at a minimum. The Gold Cup provided important experience filled with real responsibility for several players who could be in his plans next summer.
With those plans in mind, let’s examine the 26-man squad that I believe Pochettino will unveil next May:
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Zack Steffen
Omissions: Patrick Schulte, Chris Brady, Diego Kochen
