Mauricio Pochettino took a moment to gather his thoughts. The microphone flickered, creating a brief pause as he attempted to address the 5,500 fans who had come out to Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California, the United States’ training base for the World Cup. After a few attempts, he finally managed to break through the audio issues.
“We are in the greatest country in the world,” he remarked in his distinctive Rioplatense-accented English. “But the technology does not work.”
Pochettino’s transition into the American soccer landscape has certainly encountered challenges. The Argentine coach, who commands a $6 million annual salary—the highest for a coach in US Soccer history—arrived with an impressive resume that includes some of the world’s most renowned clubs and players. His mission is to guide a nation recognized more for its prowess in other sports to a remarkable finish in a World Cup they will co-host.
During his 22-month tenure, the team’s record—15 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw—does not suggest an imminent deep run. The players have displayed inconsistencies, showing moments of brilliance juxtaposed with periods of lethargy, often displaying fight one moment and timidity the next. Nonetheless, Pochettino has embraced the hype surrounding the team, asserting repeatedly that the US has the potential to win the World Cup. (“We want to do this for ourselves and for our own country,”, he frequently poses.)
Many analysts suggest it is equally plausible to see the team exit in the group stage or the first knockout round, reminiscent of their performance at Qatar 2022. The group, featuring Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, poses significant challenges. The team has struggled against the caliber of opponents they might encounter in the Round of 32, last 16, and beyond.
The looming question is: what constitutes success? This vague query weighs heavily on the US team more than on many others participating in the tournament. Elite nations like Spain, France, Brazil, and Argentina enter with the understanding that anything short of winning will be deemed a failure. Conversely, underdogs such as Curaçao, Jordan, and Cape Verde recognize that simply performing well holds great value.
The US’s performance will be viewed as a referendum not only on a squad believed to be the most talented in the history of its men’s program but also on the future of American soccer as a whole.
“We have really good players playing in top clubs in the world, we have a good team. We’re going to do the best we can to prove ourselves right.” said Christian Pulisic, the team’s standout player, during a press session earlier this month. “The first gift an Argentinian gets is a football; here, it’s a baseball bat, a basketball, an oval ball,”
Both the coach and players are confident. However, the question remains: what would it take to convince their fellow Americans? While soccer is no longer an outsider’s sport in the US, the landscape is still dominated by international leagues—such as the Premier League, Mexico’s Liga MX, and the Champions League—that shape public perception of elite soccer. What would need to happen for American soccer to capture a significant place in American culture? To attract a flood of commercial investment that could strengthen the domestic soccer scene in mainstream America?
“Changing that’s not today or tomorrow. But there are almost 400 million people, 80 million Latinos, who already have that football DNA, and there’s space [for all sports]. What’s the problem? That people want results now.” Pochettino commented. “Well, I don’t know if I could be made a better coach,”
Theoretically, a successful run in 2026 that surpasses the modern record set by the 2002 quarter-finals could provide momentum in these areas, even if immediate results are not guaranteed. Equally crucial is whether the public can genuinely connect with these players—from the trio of childhood friends (Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams) forming the backbone of the team, to defensive stalwart Chris Richards, and dual nationals like Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun, Alejandro Zendejas, and Ricardo Pepi.
What would be sufficient to elevate them to household name status?
Such efforts partially occur during events like Monday’s open training session, where Pochettino engaged with fans. Once the microphone issues were resolved, he expressed pride in being based in Irvine, where officials noted over 30,000 people sought tickets for the training event. He thanked the supporters, who cheered enthusiastically, providing a counterbalance to the negativity sometimes felt among diehard fans of the program. They observed the team practice passing drills and took selfies while congratulating the players on their achievements and sharing their personal journeys to attend.
For these fans, the team represents hope amid a challenging world.
However, a palpable sense of uncertainty lingers among segments of the wider US soccer community regarding what success for the national team could signify and who might appropriate that success. The US players have not engaged in conflicts with Iran, nor have they implemented discriminatory travel bans that have barred a top referee from entering the country. They have not resorted to deploying federal forces to intimidate their own citizens, nor have they systematically marginalized those seeking asylum or a better life. They have not transformed the White House lawn into a UFC arena, essentially countering a world event many have worked tirelessly to promote.
Nevertheless, the players’ uniforms emblazoned with the waving stripes and shimmering stars reflect a nation and a government responsible for those actions. Can any level of success, any unforgettable goals, be enough to move past these issues?
Pochettino has consciously avoided political discussions, seemingly encouraging his players to do the same. On Monday, he conveyed to the Orange County crowd that he could not be prouder to lead the US team, emphasizing that the players, fans, and federation have contributed to his growth as both a person and a coach.
“I think you can do better,” he joked—a clear attempt at humor that fell flat, at least until he acknowledged his “Argentinian humor.” He concluded his remarks with what he believed would energize the crowd—a quick countdown of “1, 2, 3,” followed by “USA!” However, the audience struggled to find the rhythm he intended. After another attempt, he encouraged them, saying, “I think you can do better,” before counting down again.
In unison, the entire crowd shouted “USA!”
