Pochettino signs with USMNT; What role did Emma play? 🇺🇸

Mauricio Pochettino Officially Signs to Become New Manager of U.S. Men’s National Team

Rejoice, America. The wait is over. Argentinian manager, 52-year-old Mauricio Pochettino, has finally signed on to become the new manager of our U.S. Men's National Team.

What a day this is for all who love the sport of soccer and its growth here in the United States. Like an Argentinian Eric Taylor arriving into Dillon, Texas to transform a team and make them fulfill their own potential, Poch arrives, put simply, as the single-most accomplished and globally respected club coach that the USMNT has ever hired.

But what took so long? Why did negotiations drag on for weeks after word of his arrival first broke? The Athletic did some excellent, behind-the-scenes reporting in an article published Tuesday that provides an inside look at how the process played out, and exactly what U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson had to do to get the deal over the line. 

Some of the more interesting details from the piece include:

🕘 The initial face-to-face meeting between Crocker, Batson, and Pochettino in Barcelona, which was scheduled for 90 minutes — just two days after the Copa America final — went for four hours

🍷 Crocker and Batson opened that first meeting in Barcelona by gifting a bottle of wine to Poch, who is “known for loving his reds”

🇩🇪 U.S. Soccer had “multiple meetings” with former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, and met with “around half a dozen” candidates total

According to The Athletic, another fascinating, if not extremely encouraging, part of the process took place in USWNT coach Emma Hayes’ role in helping to recruit her former Stamford Bridge colleague.

And then there’s also Poch’s role in impressing his future employers, with this excerpt showing just how clever and considerate of a leader he is, as well as how much respect he has for women’s football.

More:

• Pochettino, the ‘super-stretch’ candidate US Soccer was able to land (ESPN)

• Pochettino faces trickiest career challenge as USMNT coach (Guardian)

• Five players who could benefit most from Poch hiring (GiveMeSport)

Based on the play seen on the pitch during this September international break, Poch’s arrival could not get here soon enough. On the heels of a flat 2-1 loss to Jesse Marsch and Canada on Saturday, the USMNT was only able to manage a disappointing 1-1 draw against New Zealand on Tuesday night, leaving our boys to rue what ultimately amounted to a wasted window, Pochettino announcement notwithstanding.

A few players acquitted themselves well against the Kiwis — namely USMNT debutant Marlon Fossey, midfielder Aidan Morris, and goalscorer Christian Pulisic — but overall the U.S. was unable to close out a game they should have won (the Americans had 17 shots to New Zealand’s five) before they conceded a late equalizer in bizarre, sloppy fashion.

After the match, all of the talk naturally centered around Pochettino, with players being asked about what they expect life to be like under the ex-Spurs, PSG, and Chelsea manager. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner got a chance to see Poch’s Chelsea team up close while with Nottingham Forest last season, and shared his thoughts on the playing style Poch may implement with the U.S.

"He got a lot out of that Chelsea team last year,” said Turner. “The guys played well. They played free flowing, they had a bit of the ball, but more often than not, they were just tactically sound all over the pitch. They were in positions to succeed. And I think that was probably their biggest strength.”

After facing PochBall for 180 minutes over two matches (both losses) last season with Crystal Palace, Turner’s club and country teammate Chris Richards discussed how tough it is to play against Pochettino’s teams, but also sees the Marcelo Bielsa disciple as a stabilizing influence.

“He’s a difficult guy to play against, so I'm happy that he's our coach," said Richards. "(He'll implement) a new style of play, or just a functioning style of play. I think that's something that we've kind of been trying to find our identity with for the last few years. And I think having stability will be good for us."

But perhaps the most truthful words in the aftermath of another disappointing U.S. performance were shared by Pulisic. Talking to on-field cameras just moments after the final whistle had blown, the United States’ star player appeared downtrodden and deflated when asked what he hoped Poch can bring, his words almost sounding like a cry for help for a team that has one win, four losses, and two draws over the last three months.

“Hopefully a culture that is willing to fight. Willing to take risks … There’s a lot of things that need to change, just in the mentality and the culture of the group.”

World Cup 2026 begins in just 638 days. A tight timeline for a culture reboot, for sure. But in Mauricio Pochettino, we have a manager who has competed in some of global football's fiercest competitions at the helm. And that alone represents progress.

News and Notes:

• Latest from Serie US-A: Juve are reportedly considering moves for Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi. PSV USA walked so Juvent-USA could run.

• Speaking of PSV, some great news, as Sergiño Dest is back working out at the club facility once more. Dest has been out since April with an ACL injury.

• Dortmund coach Nuri Sahan has confirmed that Gio Reyna will be out “a few weeks” with a groin injury. "He has picked up an injury with the national team. He came straight back [from the national team] and I found him extremely sad." Courage in your recovery, Gio 💪

• Congrats to Gianluca Busio, as the 22-year-old midfielder has signed a new contract with Venezia, extending through June 2026. “This is a special moment for me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here in Venice.”

• Galway United’s towering defender-turned-attacker Patrick Hickey (26, Des Plaines, Ill.) has been nominated for the League of Ireland Player of the Month for August.