USMNT Might Have a Major Problem in the 2026 World Cup
One year. That’s all that separates the USMNT from the opening whistle of a World Cup on home soil. One year, and the sense of optimism that surrounded Mauricio Pochettino’s hiring has evaporated, replaced by a gnawing anxiety. The 2-0 win over a rotated Japan side felt less like a triumph and more like a reprieve, a gasp of air for a team that seems to be treading water.
When the U.S. Soccer Federation landed Pochettino, it was a statement. This wasn’t just a hire; it was an investment, a declaration of intent. With a golden generation of talent—Pulisic, McKennie, Adams—lighting up Europe’s biggest stages, the time for “good enough” was over. The goal was to bring in a world-class manager to forge this collection of stars into a cohesive, relentless unit ready to make a deep run in 2026.
But a year into the project, the picture is murky. The team crashed out of the CONCACAF Nations League, stumbled in the Gold Cup, and posted a worrying record of six losses in eight matches against top-30 FIFA nations. The team that was supposed to be hitting its stride looks lost, a product of a series of miscalculations that have defined Pochettino’s first year.
A Revolving Door: The USMNT Roster Chaos
The most glaring issue has been the constant, dizzying churn of the squad. In 18 games, Pochettino has called up a staggering 93 different players. It feels less like building a team and more like holding an open audition.
This constant rotation, particularly in the midfield and up top, has shattered any chance of building chemistry. With 16 different goal scorers and 23 different midfielders cycled through, the team lacks a core identity. Key players like Weston McKennie and Johnny Cardoso have been inexplicably left out of camps, only for new, unproven faces to be brought in, players with little realistic chance of making a final World Cup roster.
Pochettino’s quest to unearth hidden gems has come at a steep cost. He has sacrificed the invaluable opportunity to build cohesion with his best players. With the World Cup clock ticking, it’s a terrifying question to ask, but a necessary one: Does Mauricio Pochettino even know what his best XI is? The evidence suggests he doesn’t have a clue.
Where is the Commitment From USMNT Stars?
The simmering drama between Pochettino and Christian Pulisic last summer was more than just a headline; it was a symptom of a much larger problem. When your biggest star opts to rest rather than lead the team into the Gold Cup, alarm bells should be ringing.
Pulisic’s fiery response to critics questioning his commitment laid bare a worrying disconnect. “To question my commitment, especially towards the national team? In my opinion, that’s way out of line,” he stated, revealing a rift not just with pundits, but seemingly with the manager’s expectations.
He wasn’t alone. Key figures like McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Folarin Balogun were also absent for significant stretches. Under Pochettino, a USMNT call-up has started to feel optional, not obligatory. Former USMNT keeper Kasey Keller hit the nail on the head, pointing out the manager’s failure to connect with his top players. “You hear players… ‘Have you spoken with Pochettino? No, he’s never called me.’ That’s fine if you’re a club coach… But as a national team coach, you only have what you have.”
Pulisic later confirmed he and the manager had gone months without speaking. For a team desperate for leadership and unity, the silence from the top was deafening.
A Plan Without Urgency
Pochettino speaks of a “plan” and a “process,” but from the outside, it’s an incoherent mess. The constant lineup shuffling and tactical experiments might be justifiable if the World Cup were years away. It’s not. It’s nine months away.
“I think I am positive because the players trust in the process, because they know that we have a plan,” he said after the USMNT lost to South Korea. But what is that plan? It’s a question fans and pundits are asking with increasing desperation. The time for tinkering is over. The time for solidifying a core group, drilling a consistent system, and building momentum is now. His words preach patience, but the calendar screams for urgency.
Tactical Rigidity and Square Pegs
Pochettino’s tactical stubbornness, a relic of his club-level success, has been a major roadblock. He arrived with a preference for a 4-2-3-1, a system that requires specific player profiles. But unlike at Tottenham, he can’t just buy the players he needs.
Instead of adapting his system to the strengths of the USMNT player pool, he has tried to force square pegs into round holes. This has resulted in players being played out of position, leading to defensive lapses, missed assignments, and disjointed attacks. The case of Max Arfsten is a prime example. A dynamic winger for his club, he was repeatedly exposed as a fullback under Pochettino. It took 17 agonizing matches before a switch to a 3-4-3 against Japan finally unlocked Arfsten, who promptly set up a goal. It was a moment of clarity that was long, long overdue.
Denying the Obvious
Perhaps most frustrating for the supporters has been Pochettino‘s denial. After a string of poor results, instead of accountability, he has offered excuses and bristled at criticism. Following a fourth-place finish at the Nations League, he urged fans not to be “pessimistic.” More recently, he lashed out, telling critics they can “talk about bull—” if they want.
This defensiveness has created a chasm between the coach and the fanbase. American soccer fans are passionate and knowledgeable; they can see the disarray on the field. Being told to ignore the evidence and just “trust the process” feels patronizing, especially when the process itself appears fundamentally flawed.
The win over Japan offered a glimmer of hope, a potential path forward. But one win doesn’t erase a year of questionable decisions. The next nine months are critical. Pochettino must establish a consistent core, foster a “can’t miss” culture, and settle on a tactical identity. The talent is there. The time is now. The question is, will the USMNT be ready?
