Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics: how to boost the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup

After a disappointing Copa America as hosts this summer and with the Men’s World Cup largely to be played on home soil in two years’ time, the USMNT had to make a big move by replacing Gregg Berhalter as head coach.

Consider their statement.

There is a strong case to be made that Mauricio Pochettino will become the most distinguished coach in the history of the US men’s soccer team when he puts pen to paper. In 649 appearances in the biggest competitions in European club sport since 2009 – including 45 in the UEFA Champions League, one of which was in the final – the 52-year-old Argentinian has built up a wealth of experience, his bio tough enough to become the face of the all-important 2026 World Cup campaign in the USA.

But reputation aside, what can USMNT fans expect from a Pochettino team? And does his appointment fit tactically well with the current generation of American players?

Since Gregg Berhalter first took charge nearly six years ago, the shadow of the 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has loomed large. An objective central to his tenure was integrating young talent into the senior national team, with prospects such as Christian Pulisic (above, right), Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest establishing themselves in the squad under his leadership.

There was a sense that the group was nearing its collective peak ahead of this summer’s Copa America, which was also played on American soil, but as the debate continues over the relative quality of the ‘golden generation’ of American players at Berhalter’s disposal , there is no doubt that they underperformed. The defeat to Panama in their second of three group stage matches may have been down to an early red card for Tim Weah, but there was a worrying lack of creativity and forward drive in midfield, in a team seemingly still too dependent was from Pulisic for moments of tension. offensive inspiration.

The good news is that Pochettino is known for his work with younger players, and he should relish the opportunity to develop the squad he will inherit, with plenty of enthusiasm and exciting, versatile options in different areas of the pitch. The likes of Folarin Balogun, 23, Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah, both 21, will be called upon by Pochettino – players with star power, but also with something to prove.

Pochettino’s preference for working with young players is a deep-seated belief that stems from his own formative years when Marcelo Bielsa – later his manager at Spanish side Espanyol and with the Argentina national team – gave him an early opportunity at Newell’s Old Boys club in their homeland. , along with a number of other promising players who would go on to make a big impact in the first team.

He also believes it is difficult to change the mindset or habits of more seasoned veterans, who sometimes cannot adapt to his methods. Pochettino seems wary of letting a few big names dominate the dressing room. Remember, this is a man who, in his playing days, stood alongside both Argentinian icon Diego Maradona and Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.

Pulisic has status and reputation, but does not dominate to a detrimental extent. Pochettino hated working with star-studded Paris Saint-Germain from January 2021 to the summer of 2022, with the big attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe undermining his focus on team cohesion without the ball .

In that regard, the profile of this USMNT squad, in terms of age and character, seems likely to suit him, with plenty of time to build relationships with the players ahead of that World Cup in just under two years.

Pochettino took Tottenham to their first ever Champions League final in 2019 (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Tactically, Pochettino is known for his pressing ideology, something for which he prefers a young team. He emphasizes that it is not about physical ability, but about how much players are willing to run.

To further explore his style, we can look at The Athletics‘s playing style wheel, using his sole season in charge of Chelsea to outline what his team looked like playing against Europe’s top seven domestic leagues. These defensive stats stand out, with their 89 out of 99 Intensity rating speaking to the front-footed nature of their press.

A rating of 96 for Central Progression indicates a desire to build attacks carefully and patiently through the middle – something that suits the technical players at the heart of the USMNT midfield. While many failed to find their rhythm in the three matches at the Copa America, Pochettino will have plenty to work with in that part of the pitch.

Adams, 25, brings unparalleled defensive tenacity to the base of the three-man midfield formation, and is a talented ball progresser who can pick out crisp passes to the more advanced number 8, while 22-year-old Johnny Cardoso is a strong tackler. who is also a natural pace setter from deep. The technical skill and versatility of 25-year-old Weston McKennie proved invaluable to Berhalter during the final years of his tenure, while Reyna provided real forward drive and fearlessness from a more advanced position as the US won CONCACAF in March this year Nations League won.

Add to that the ball-carrying ability of Musah, the devilish late runs of Luca de la Torre, 26, even the creativity and weight of passing from Malik Tillman, 22, and there are plenty of options for Pochettino to cut and change .

Pochettino will have plenty of talent to use in America (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Less encouraging from the playstyle wheel above is a rating of 32 for Chance Prevention. Chelsea’s tally of 77 league goals last season was the third highest in the past fifteen years, but this came at a significant cost as they scored more league goals (63) than in any other season since the inception of the Premier League in the Premier League. early nineties.

As unglamorous as it may sound, international football is built on a strong defensive foundation and Pochettino did not show that during his most recent spell in the dugout.

Such shortcomings would obviously put more emphasis on the individual quality of the back line and the goalkeeper; areas where the current roster of the United States has problems. Goalkeeper Matt Turner barely played for his Premier League club Nottingham Forest last season and during the Copa America his kicking and distribution were questionable at times. Of the other options in the position, Ethan Horvath, from Cardiff City in English football’s second championship, has taken another step back in quality, conceding a poor goal when he came on after Turner was injured in that match against Panama.

Matt Turner had a disappointing time at this summer’s Copa America (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Then there’s a shortage of obvious candidates to replace center back Tim Ream, who turns 37 in October, plus doubts about the power behind him and the other current starter in that position, Chris Richards.

Pochettino’s possession will need to exert more control if they are to adequately mask that weakness on the biggest stage.

Ultimately, international football is a difficult arena to navigate. With ample time between sets of games and a disproportionate number of outright knockout, do-or-die matches, ambitious projects can be reduced to individual achievements, washing away years of work in a few minutes of action.

It makes managerial dismissals like Berhalter’s – and even appointments like Pochettino’s – difficult to assess; the “perfect” candidate that is almost impossible to find. But for a squad as young as the one the US currently has, and which the eyes of the world will be firmly focused on in two years’ time, a high-profile name like him certainly brings the requisite experience and know-how. even though this is his first step in international football as a coach.

Golden generations don’t last forever.

At the very least, Pochettino will bring a welcome dose of belief and expertise.

Additional reporting: Michael Cox and Mark Carey

(Top Photos: Getty Images)