Pochettino Aims to Make US Soccer a Global Power

Two months after the United States men’s national team suffered a disappointing World Cup exit, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has returned to work.

When the former Tottenham and PSG boss took charge in 2024, many considered him a temporary appointment intended to help the team make the most of its first home World Cup in more than 30 years. However, Pochettino and US Soccer gradually became open to continuing their partnership, and a new contract was completed in August.

The United States will face Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada in four friendly matches across late September and early October. Those fixtures are only a small part of the challenge ahead. Pochettino must lead the team toward qualification for the 2030 World Cup, while also working with the federation on broader plans to transform the structure of soccer across the country.

The United States will also participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and could reportedly compete in the Copa América during the same summer. On Monday, Pochettino spoke with a small group of reporters about the responsibilities ahead.

Pochettino’s broader responsibilities

Pochettino has described his decision to stay for another World Cup cycle as an opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy in a country that has welcomed him warmly, with an influence extending beyond match results. His renewed contract reflects that ambition. The federation announced that he would have greater involvement in youth development and coaching education while also offering guidance on cooperation with professional leagues and several other areas.

Such wide-ranging authority is not unheard of in international soccer, but no previous United States coach has played such a major role in shaping the entire program. Pochettino will soon have an opportunity to contribute, as the federation is restructuring and searching for two new directors to oversee the senior and youth setups for both the men’s and women’s teams. He said he was willing to assist with those appointments, while joking that the selected candidates could not simply be his preferred choices.

Pochettino said the work would help define the future of soccer in the United States. Although performing well at the World Cup and building a special relationship with supporters remain immediate aims, he also wants to contribute to the federation’s long-term ambition of making the country a major force in the sport. He described the possibility of helping achieve that goal as exciting and inspiring.

Folarin Balogun’s difficult deadline day

The summer transfer period was relatively uneventful for the United States squad. Gio Reyna joined Strasbourg, Sebastian Berhalter moved to Middlesbrough and Zavier Gozo left MLS for Crystal Palace, but most players remained with their existing clubs.

Monaco striker Folarin Balogun was among those who stayed. After an impressive World Cup, he appeared likely to secure a high-value transfer. A proposed switch to Everton collapsed at the final stage, however, after the English club raised concerns about a possible fitness issue that both Balogun and Monaco disputed.

Balogun is not the first player to experience transfer-window disappointment, and Pochettino expressed his support for the 25-year-old.

Pochettino acknowledged that the situation was difficult because Balogun could not control the final decision. He said players must be supported when others determine their futures. The coach plans to contact Balogun after allowing him some time to process what happened with Everton and wants to hear his account of events. He continues to regard the forward as an important member of the national team and hopes Balogun can find the right environment, whether at Monaco or elsewhere, to produce his best performances.

Players eligible for multiple countries

Pochettino offered few details about the 26-player squad expected to attend the upcoming camp. Augsburg central defender Noahkai Banks, however, will not be included. The German-American teenager has yet to decide which country he wants to represent and will therefore sit out this international window.

The 19-year-old has indicated that he hopes to choose by the next international break, or no later than the one that follows. Reports in Germany claim that newly appointed national-team coach Jürgen Klopp has personally watched Banks play.

Pochettino said the federation remains in communication with every potential dual-national player because establishing a genuine personal connection matters. Banks has not yet changed his position or reached a decision, so he cannot be considered for the next camp. Nevertheless, officials will continue speaking with eligible players. If they eventually feel committed to representing the United States, and the coaching staff believes their performances justify selection, they will have an opportunity to be called up.

Los Angeles 2028

Olympic soccer is often overshadowed by larger international and continental tournaments. Even so, the 2028 Games in Los Angeles will provide the United States team with another major chance to inspire home supporters following the World Cup.

Pochettino said the Olympics are a significant priority for his staff, who are coordinating with under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo. He also suggested that the coming international window could be used to assess several young players who may take part in the 2028 tournament.

Pochettino believes the United States has a promising group of young players who should participate in the Olympics, with winning the gold medal viewed as an important objective for both the federation and the country. Because the competition will take place on home soil, the senior and Olympic coaching teams intend to make decisions together. Their goal is to protect each player’s condition while helping them contribute effectively to both the senior side and a tournament of considerable national importance.

The development of young players

Pochettino has repeatedly questioned the attitude of some American players. Before the 2026 World Cup, he voiced disappointment with those who appeared not to treat national-team invitations as a priority and who sometimes struggled to understand soccer’s position within American sporting culture.

He now appears determined to change the thinking of coaches and young players who turn down international call-ups because of concerns about fitness or workload.

Pochettino stressed that young players should be eager to represent their country. When someone playing in MLS or another league receives an invitation from an under-18, under-19 or Olympic squad, accepting that opportunity should be considered important. He argued that the existing attitude must change, criticizing situations in which clubs say a 17-year-old regular needs rest instead of joining a youth national team.

He added that teenagers should not be managed in the same way as players in their late twenties or thirties. Recalling his time at Newell’s Old Boys, Pochettino said he and his teammates occasionally played two or three matches in one day when they were 15, 16 or 17. In his view, younger athletes recover differently from 32-year-olds, yet they are sometimes encouraged to adopt the habits and mindset of much older professionals. He believes changing that approach is an essential part of improving soccer development in the United States.