A few months ago it was fair to wonder if the new coach could make a difference for the USMNT. However, the atmosphere surrounding the team has noticeably shifted, with many feeling that the right man has finally taken charge. After the disappointing group-stage exit at Copa América 2024, it seemed like a fresh start was needed, and the 1996 MLS Goal of the Year Award winner didn’t hold back in sharing his praise for Mauricio Pochettino, especially when compared to previous coaches.

Gregg Berhalter, who had made history as the first American to coach the national team after playing in a World Cup, was let go after his team’s early exit in the tournament. With a record of 44 wins, 17 losses, and 13 draws in his second year, his tenure was marred by questions about whether he was the right choice to lead the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup. With a lot of high-level coaching experience could Mauricio Pochettino be the answer to bringing success on the world stage?

Eric Wynalda, the host of WTF (Wynalda Talks Football), couldn’t hide his excitement when discussing the USMNT’s future under Mauricio Pochettino. “I don’t know if you got to see Pochettino’s, they’ve released some of the things that he’s been saying to our guys.” The former player and coach has been hearing promising words from Pochettino and the players, fueling his optimism about what lies ahead for the team.

“Then we’ve seen some interviews coming out of guys like Pepe who are saying, our coach doesn’t tell us to do anything in the final third. He’s telling us that he’s relying on our creativity. Man, was that so cool to hear. For me, just as a coach, as a former player, as somebody who really wants to see this U.S. national team do well.“ Appreciating Mauricio Pochettino’s genuine approach. Unlike past coaches who gave rigid instructions, Pochettino is confident and real, allowing players to think for themselves.

Wynalda shares his excitement about Pochettino’s approach. He admires how Pochettino builds a tough, defensive team that fights for each other. But when it’s time to attack, Pochettino trusts his players’ creativity and lets them express themselves freely, something that hasn’t been seen in the team before.

He also revealed how Pochettino emphasizes giving players the freedom to use their creativity rather than rigidly sticking to tactics. “No, it doesn’t. I mean, once you get into the final third, there’s some ideas there, but you got to let your players play. Sure. And we haven’t had that in so long. When I saw Pochettino speak about our national team, I mean, I actually got emotional. I was like, there it is. There’s a coach. That’s a guy that gets it.”

As of December 21, 2024, Pochettino’s USMNT record stands at 4 wins and 0 losses, with a strong start and attacking style earning victories over Panama, Mexico, and Jamaica. The decision to part ways with Berhalter signaled a clear desire for change at the top, and it looks like Pochettino’s approach is already making an impact. Even players can’t stop themself from speaking about his coaching style.

Is Pochettino pushing USMNT too hard? Players speak out

Under Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT players are already noticing a shift in intensity after just two training sessions. Players like Robinson and Tim Ream shared insights into the team’s mindset under the new head coach, praising the focused atmosphere Pochettino has created. “Yeah, straight away it seems a little bit more intense, obviously small steps, but it definitely feels like camp’s going to be a period where, we’ll have time to enjoy it, but we’re going to work hard and really build towards success.”

Even Tim Ream shared that Pochettino emphasizes winning above all, with clear principles and ideas. “The message is that he wants to win. He has his principles, he has his ideas, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning. It’s important to have that mentality. It’s important to have that mindset going forward leading into these games and beyond that.“

With no games scheduled for the USMNT until March 2025, this period presents a valuable opportunity for Pochettino to scout and build his squad ahead of the Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama.