TWhen Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino first took over the U.S. national team, he was plagued by conflicts with key players, poor performance, and dysfunctional systems. The situation is now quite different for the team as it prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in North America in just over six months.
October and November brought a fresh new energy to the Stars and Stripes, allowing us to move forward and leave behind all the negativity.
Diego Luna scores a great goal before Team USA faces Ecuador
In the final game of the year, against Uruguay, which is known for its solid defense, he scored five points. With the joy of victory, Pochettino will now head into the December break with greater peace of mind as he considers his final selection for the world’s biggest football event at home.
Pochettino regains confidence after recent friendly results
The United States played against Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and the results achieved changed the public’s perception of the team. This included the return of Christian Pulisic, who was forced to miss several games due to a feud with his manager. Now, the team is stronger and embracing a soccer identity that once seemed distant and perhaps out of reach.
It is said that manager Pochettino used the C team to play against Uruguay, and even then they defeated the theoretically inferior South American power 5-1.
Mauricio Pochettino likely to be selected for the World Cup
With less than 200 days until the opening whistle of the World Cup at the legendary renovated Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Pampero appears to have already selected more than 80 per cent of the players he will bring to the most important event in the world’s most watched sport.
For the former PSG manager, the 3-4-3 formation he established is starting to show results, and to implement it he needs talented players who can contain rival attacks and quickly transition into attack.
Matt Freese, New York City FC Matt Turner, New England Revolution Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew Chris Richards, Crystal Palestine Reem, Charlotte FC Miles Robinson, FC Cincinnati Mark McKenzie, Toulouse Auston Trusty, Celtic Alex Freeman, Orlando City Sergio Dest PSV Eindhoven Anthony Robinson, Fulham Max A – Kusten, Columbus Crew Christian Roldan, Seattle Sounders Tanner Tessman, Lyon Tyler Adams, Bournemouth Weston McKennie, Juventus Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps Tim Weir, Marseille Malik Tillman, Leverkusen Giovanni Reyna, Monchengladbach Brenden Aaronson, Leeds United Christian Pulisic, Milan Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake
These will be the players tasked with pursuing the 2026 World Cup. The challenge may seem difficult, but by playing at home with full support, they may be able to write a story that will carve their own place in soccer history.
