From Guadalajara to the wider World Cup route, Mauricio Pochettino’s time with the United States has already crossed several moods and borders. The Argentine arrived after Chelsea carrying the weight of a high-profile appointment in September 2024, then endured a run of poor performances and searching criticism before a late surge of results persuaded the federation to extend his stay through the 2030 World Cup.
Pochettino was unveiled on 10 September 2024, but the early journey was unsettled. A 2-0 defeat to Mexico in Guadalajara provided an immediate setback, and the doubts deepened through 2025 as the United States lost to Panama, Canada and Turkey. The 4-0 loss against Switzerland became one of the bleakest nights of his tenure.
There were concerns beyond the scorelines. Observers questioned whether the side had developed a recognisable identity, while its attacking output and selections also came under scrutiny. Former United States forward Clint Dempsey was among those to criticise the displays, arguing that a squad with considerable talent had not shown enough cutting edge.
A rivalry defeat and a response on the world stage
The 2025 Gold Cup final brought Pochettino back into the familiar pressure of a meeting with Mexico. The United States lost 2-1, keeping the focus firmly on his record against the region’s principal opponent and on the uneven nature of his first year in charge.
Yet the subsequent fixtures offered a sharply different picture. In 2026, the Americans beat Uruguay 5-1 in a performance regarded as among their finest under Pochettino. They then defeated Paraguay 4-1 at the World Cup, and also recorded a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a World Cup qualifying match.
The campaign eventually ended with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16. Even so, the federation judged the broader direction of travel positively enough to retain Pochettino. In August 2026, it confirmed that the former Chelsea manager would remain in charge until the 2030 World Cup.
It leaves the United States with a longer horizon after a turbulent opening chapter: a coach tested by Mexico, Switzerland and the demands of a restless public, but now entrusted to carry the project beyond the immediate tournament cycle and toward the next World Cup on home soil.
