Building Connections: Mauricio Pochettino’s Journey with U.S. Soccer

During a recent dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant close to their hotel in Central Park, Mauricio Pochettino took the opportunity to introduce U.S. Soccer staff to the cultural significance of mate, a traditional herbal tea beloved by many South American soccer players, including the legendary Lionel Messi. Among the various insights he shared with his new colleagues was the name of a shop in Argentina known for crafting custom mate cups. Little did he know that a month later, while in Austin, Texas, Pochettino and his coaching staff would be met with a thoughtful surprise: the incumbent staff had reached out to that very shop back home and ordered mate cups adorned with the U.S. Soccer logo, presenting them to Pochettino’s coaching team. This exchange illustrated the ongoing relationship-building process between Pochettino and U.S. Soccer, emphasizing the potential for a stronger bond that could elevate the team to new heights.

Pochettino’s mandate is clear: transform a talented U.S. squad into a formidable team capable of achieving tangible success. Following a 2-0 victory over Panama and a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mexico in his initial international window, Pochettino has gained valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the player pool and the challenges that lie ahead. He is also laying the groundwork for his vision for the team as they work toward the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted mainly in the United States.

The inaugural camp under Pochettino was a mix of intensity and relaxation. While he implemented some tactical adjustments to the team’s play style, many players noted that he hinted at more comprehensive changes in the future. The primary focus of this camp was less about tactics and more about setting clear expectations for competition and growth. Pochettino emphasized that improvement would not happen overnight. Fans hoping for an instant transformation following his appointment would need to adjust their expectations. When a Mexican journalist asked Pochettino what he had observed that might convince him the U.S. could elevate its status in CONCACAF and compete effectively in the upcoming World Cup, Pochettino smiled and replied, “Give me time,” in his native Spanish, his voice resonating in the bustling tunnel of Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, which is set to host the tournament’s opening match.

In his early weeks, Pochettino decided against engaging with any U.S. players, aiming to avoid any perceptions regarding favoritism or bias in his interactions. The only encounter he had with a player was entirely coincidental. While dining at Clap London, a Japanese restaurant in the upscale Knightsbridge district, he unexpectedly ran into the Fulham squad, who were there for a team meal. Two of Pochettino’s former players, Harrison Reed and Ryan Sessegnon, recognized him and informed American left-back Antonee Robinson, who promptly approached Pochettino to introduce himself. “I came over, said hello, and we were chatting for a little bit,” Robinson recounted. “I asked him if he’s excited, what the situation has been like, and whether he’d been over (to the U.S.) yet. It was casual.” Pochettino jokingly remarked, “Look, you are going to be an exception because I didn’t speak with anyone else. You have the privilege of being the first to talk with me.”

Aside from this chance encounter with Robinson, Pochettino and his staff, which included existing analysts and staffers from U.S. Soccer’s Chicago base, largely maintained distance from the players. They communicated through Zoom calls and phone discussions, scouted players live—sending staff to observe Mark McKenzie and Tanner Tessmann compete in France’s Ligue 1, and another to watch Robinson play in the Premier League. Pochettino initially planned to visit the U.S. to meet staff in person and possibly look for housing in the Atlanta area, but travel delays due to storms and visa issues postponed his trip. He only arrived in the U.S. on October 5, just two days before camp commenced.

Pochettino entrusted the existing U.S. Soccer staff to assemble the first squad he would work with. During the initial days of camp, he pulled players aside for one-on-one discussions, which varied in length from a few minutes to half an hour. These conversations allowed players to share their feelings about fitness and mental readiness, while Pochettino assessed their confidence levels and identified psychological strategies he might employ. “Our first camp is about getting to know each other,” Pochettino explained at the Austin FC training facility a few days into the camp. “Not only the players, but the entire staff. We have nearly 40 people working together. Organizing and familiarizing ourselves with each other to establish our desired working method is crucial at the outset. Of course, soccer is about competing and wanting to win because, understandably, the fans want victory, but our initial interactions with the organization and players should not be overly pressurized.”

Typically, the first session of a national team camp is light, focusing on recovery after long flights. However, this time, the U.S. team dove straight into a full training session. “We were kind of, ‘Right, we’re here to work’,” said left-back Robinson. “It was definitely intense from the front foot.” The training sessions, usually shorter than club practices, lasted around two hours. While not unprecedented, what set these sessions apart was their intensity. Every drill, including rondos, emphasized fierce competition. “We demand a lot,” Pochettino stated. “Because we truly believe that to compete at your best, you need to train at an intensity that mirrors what the competition will require.”

Away from the field, Pochettino’s approach differed from previous coaching regimes. Under former coach Gregg Berhalter, camps were more structured, with a rigid schedule of meetings and activities throughout the day. Support staff adhered to a specific dress code during training, which included no ankle socks or sunglasses. This first camp under Pochettino felt more relaxed, providing players with additional personal time. Pochettino recognized that the mental pressure on players would be heightened as they aimed to impress the new coach, likely leading to overthinking every touch and action. He noted that even in drills meant to be lighthearted, players might worry that a mistake would leave a negative impression on him. “You spend more energy here,” Pochettino said, tapping his finger against his temple, “and that affects your body.”

Pochettino’s responses during press conferences often revealed his focus on the psychological aspect of the game, highlighting the importance of evaluating the character and confidence of both the team and individual players. He presented himself as honest, engaging, and relatable in front of the media. His charisma shone through, particularly when responding to a question about midfielder Malik Tillman, who had been compared to his former Tottenham player, Dele Alli. Pochettino humorously acknowledged the pressure such comparisons could create for Tillman but then delved deeper, sharing insights into the challenges that have hindered Tillman’s performance with the national team compared to his success at PSV Eindhoven. He used this moment to discuss the team’s broader needs.

“I agree with you, because we were talking about how Malik’s physical attributes are similar to those of Dele Alli,” Pochettino explained. “Malik is an incredible talent, but Dele was remarkably competitive, an unstoppable force. When he joined as a 17-year-old from Milton Keynes Dons—he was phenomenal. We had to sometimes rein him in to ensure he was ready for matches.” He continued, “We’re not just talking about playing football; we’re discussing the mindset of competing fiercely. If Malik applies the same competitive spirit that Dele had, I’m confident he has the talent, physique, and everything else needed. It’s about helping him grow.” Pochettino emphasized that while players like Christian Pulisic are already talented, there is always room for improvement. “It’s not enough to play for your national team,” he stated. “Our goal is to help each player reach their full potential.”

The mood for Pochettino shifted following the 2-0 defeat to Mexico, which left a mark on his early tenure. The team appeared overwhelmed during that match, struggling in midfield, failing to win duels, and lacking the threat of a cohesive attack. This loss marked the first time in five years that the U.S. had succumbed to Mexico. Even with several key players missing, including Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, and Tim Weah, the defeat underscored the existing shortcomings in the player pool.

Despite the setback against Mexico, Pochettino maintained a positive outlook. He acknowledged that the overall experience of the camp, including the loss, contained valuable lessons for future growth. “With all the circumstances, we are happy and positive, and we are focused on the areas we need to improve over time,” he noted. “But it’s a matter of time.”

Just over a month after that initial dinner in Manhattan, the relationship between Pochettino and the U.S. Soccer staff was still in the early stages of development. Nevertheless, there was a sense of optimism surrounding the team, even in the wake of the disappointing result against Mexico. “It was a good introduction,” reflected center back Tim Ream, who captained the squad during the camp. “They provided just enough information to ensure everyone was aligned and understood the vision, while also hinting at the deeper strategies to come in future camps. Now we have clarity moving forward, and we know where we are headed.”

(Top photo: Pochettino at the Mexico game; Agustin Cuevas Cornejo/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)