The United States Men’s National Team has a new sheriff in town, and he’s here to instill a winning mentality. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes the USMNT has the talent to compete with global soccer powerhouses like Argentina and Spain – but first, they need an attitude adjustment.
Pochettino’s Bold Vision: Arrogance Required
Since taking the reins in September 2024, the Argentine manager has hammered home one key message: for the USMNT to reach their full potential and shine on home soil at the 2026 World Cup, they must develop a fiercer mentality. Pochettino pulled no punches in his assessment:
“There is still a gap between Argentina and Spain, but we are reducing it every day. I think there is a question of belief and I think that being a little more arrogant in our ability to believe that we can do it well and that we have the quality enough to compete at the same level.”
– Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Head Coach
The decorated coach, known for his transformative tenures at Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, insists this mentality shift is the missing ingredient for American success. Pochettino demands his players approach every match with an aggressive mindset, whether it’s a friendly or the World Cup final.
Pochettino’s Non-Negotiables
- Possession with purpose: “Our principal objective is to have the ball in position and then evolve and develop all the ways to keep the ball in position and to, of course, be aggressive and to score a goal.”
- Relentless pressing: “We need to react and we need to be explosive, we need to have power, we need to have the capacity, the focus and the concentration and the aggressivity to go and recover as soon as possible.”
These principles, coupled with la garra (Spanish for “grit”), form the foundation of Pochettino’s blueprint for USMNT glory. The 51-year-old taskmaster is confident that by embracing this cutthroat competitiveness, the U.S. can bridge the gap with the global elite.
Emulating the Argentine Ethos
For Pochettino, the key lies in replicating the Argentine soccer culture, where every match is a battle for national pride:
“It’s the way that the Argentine players compete, the mentality. When you lose a ball, you cry. When you lose a game, you cry, spend maybe one week in your room. It’s how to defend your badge, your flag, how to defend your identity, your culture. I think that is what we want to translate.”
– Mauricio Pochettino
If the USMNT can tap into this warrior spirit and combine it with their existing strengths – youth, athleticism, and growing technical prowess – Pochettino believes they have the ingredients to cook up something special in 2026.
Players Feeling the Intensity
Just 10 days into Pochettino’s reign, his demanding style is already making an impact. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen described the new regime as “intense” and “very demanding”:
“Pochettino, he’s very demanding, very intense on the field… You’ve got to be laser focused. It’s going to be tough work.”
– Zack Steffen, USMNT Goalkeeper
This baptism by fire continues as the USMNT faces Venezuela and Costa Rica in a pair of January friendlies – Pochettino’s first chances to assess his squad in match action. The games mark the start of a two-year journey to mold this promising group into battle-hardened competitors, ready to stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
The Pochettino era has begun, and the mission is clear: instill an arrogant, unyielding mentality to carry the USMNT to new heights. If he succeeds, 2026 could be the moment where the United States finally sheds its underdog status and announces itself as a true soccer superpower. The world is watching – now it’s up to Pochettino and his players to deliver.
