Mauricio Pochettino asked the US to believe in his project. Did he believe in it himself?

When Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the US men's national team in September 2024, he arrived with ambitious declarations. "We need to believe that we can win," he proclaimed, "that we can win not only a game: We can win the World Cup." This message of unshakeable confidence, referencing the four-time World Cup champion US women's team, was exactly what American soccer fans longed to hear yet often viewed with skepticism.

Pochettino maintained this mantra throughout his tenure, even telling former President Donald Trump that the US could win it all. This belief was particularly potent for attracting casual fans, especially those whose previous exposure to American soccer coaching came through streaming platforms like Apple TV.

Divided attention

Despite his public declarations, Pochettino's actions often seemed at odds with his words. A near-constant stream of rumors linked him to English clubs, which he rarely attempted to dismiss. This was particularly striking given his role was to galvanize the team and fans ahead of the 2026 home World Cup, a generational event for American soccer.

The coach frequently spoke glowingly about the Premier League and even floated the possibility of returning to England, creating an impression that he was never fully committed to the American project. This perception was reinforced when he criticized the pro-Mexico crowds that US teams regularly face on home soil—a long-standing issue he should have researched before taking the job.

Mixed results

Pochettino's tenure featured dramatic highs and lows. The US delivered their best-ever World Cup performance with a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay, an achievement that left the coach nearly emotional as he belted out "Country Roads." Yet this was followed by one of the team's worst-ever performances—a 4-1 drubbing by Belgium in the last 16 that will be remembered as particularly traumatic.

The coach also faced criticism for his handling of media and his comments about American soccer development. He fairly noted the lack of stakes in Major League Soccer and suggested US players are coddled in youth development, but clashed with journalists who questioned the team's group-stage loss to Turkey.

Legacy questions

When asked to define his lasting impact, Pochettino initially struggled before settling on relationships and doing things "the right way." "The most valuable feeling that we get isn't one victory, or that we helped in the program," he said. "It is that relationship in the program – even when you cross the sea, you look and smile because I think you share the values that are very important in life, more important than anything else."

Pochettino arrived with three clear goals: ensure a strong World Cup showing, change soccer's perception in America, and lay groundwork for long-term growth. He achieved some success but ultimately left American soccer wanting more—perhaps fitting for a coach who demanded belief from others while his own commitment remained questionable.