Christian Pulisic and the USMNT: A New Era Under Pochettino

While not as universally recognized as icons like LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes, Christian Pulisic has certainly made a name for himself in the world of sports. The USMNT winger stands as arguably the most celebrated male American soccer player, thanks to his accomplishments with the national team and in European leagues. Currently showcasing his talents with the legendary AC Milan, Pulisic ranks among the elite players in Serie A, having scored over 40 goals in all competitions during his third year with the club.

He is not the only American player excelling at the highest level. Teammates and friends Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams have established themselves as pivotal players for Juventus and Bournemouth, respectively. Additionally, defenders Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards have emerged as prominent figures in the Premier League, while strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are making their mark at Champions League-level clubs.

However, the player pool extends beyond Europe. Veteran Tim Ream plays for Charlotte FC, alongside a host of young MLS talents such as Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, Matt Freese, and Max Arfsten, all of whom enjoyed breakout seasons in 2025.

After disappointing results at the Copa America in summer 2024, the USMNT sought a significant change, which materialized with the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine coach was appointed as the successor to Gregg Berhalter in the fall, bringing with him a distinguished European coaching pedigree that few, if any, U.S. coaches possess—only Jurgen Klinsmann comes close. Pochettino has previously led Tottenham to a Champions League final and managed elite teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, where he worked with superstars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.

Pochettino’s clear objective is to guide the U.S. through the upcoming World Cup, marking his inaugural foray into international management. The allure of coaching a World Cup host has driven his engagement, and now it is his responsibility to ensure that the team is prepared to compete.

Historically, the USMNT has adhered to key principles centered on grit, heart, and effort, enabling them to exceed expectations despite talent disparities. Critics argue that this mentality had waned in recent years, prompting Pochettino to commit to its revival.

Throughout 2025, he emphasized that no player’s position was guaranteed, resulting in over 50 players donning the U.S. jersey during the year. This strategy fostered competition within the squad, as players battled for spots, which in turn is expected to enhance their performance against opponents.

Despite a challenging start to 2025, including losses to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League that raised concerns about the team’s trajectory, Pochettino used this adversity as a catalyst for improvement. Although there were setbacks, such as a Gold Cup final loss to Mexico and a defeat to South Korea, the U.S. concluded the year on a high note, winning four of their last five matches—one of which was a remarkable 5-1 victory over Uruguay.

This revitalization brings optimism, particularly after the U.S. defeated two of their three group stage opponents for the upcoming tournament: Australia and Paraguay.

Nearly 25 years later, the USMNT continues to aspire to match the standards set in 2002, when they reached the World Cup quarterfinals, highlighted by the memorable “Dos a Cero” victory over Mexico. However, the journey since then has been tumultuous, with early exits in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and an unprecedented failure to qualify in 2018, necessitating a thorough reevaluation of the program.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the U.S. displayed commendable soccer, drawing against Wales, challenging England, and advancing past Iran, yet they were again eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Netherlands.

As the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the home-field advantage represents a significant opportunity for the U.S. to make a deeper run than ever before. The group stage draw appears favorable, starting with a familiar opponent in Paraguay, whom they recently defeated, followed by a match against Australia, another team they bested earlier.

The third group match may also feature a rematch against Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo, who will compete for that final spot. While the path ahead is manageable and the U.S. may be favored in all three games, they will need to elevate their performance to realize their ambitions at the World Cup.