Pochettino's Last Tournament Before the Big One

The Gold Cup Could Add Momentum to the Americans' Windless Sails

When Mauricio Pochettino accepted the USMNT job after last summer's Copa América disaster, he likely envisioned working with Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and the core that reached the 2022 World Cup's round of 16. Instead, he finds himself preparing for a crucial Gold Cup with seven uncapped players and a roster depleted by injuries, fatigue, and players simply requesting time off—a situation that reveals both his pragmatic coaching philosophy and the deeper systemic issues plaguing American soccer.

Pochettino's approach demonstrates seasoned professionalism in crisis management. Rather than lamenting the absence of key players like Pulisic, McKennie, and Antonee Robinson, he's embracing the opportunity to evaluate depth and discover new talent. His emphasis on creating an environment where players can "fight for a place" shows tactical wisdom, using adversity as a catalyst for competition and development.

However, the circumstances expose concerning underlying issues within the program. The fact that so many established players are unavailable due to fatigue, personal reasons, or simply requesting rest suggests potential problems with player buy-in and program culture. Pochettino's concerns about attitude and his emphasis on professionalism indicate he inherited a team lacking the mental fortitude expected at the international level.

The manager's measured responses about roster quality—declining to guarantee Gold Cup success while focusing on process over outcomes—reflect realistic expectations given his limited time with the group. His acknowledgment that he's "soaking in what's happening" suggests he's still diagnosing problems he didn't fully anticipate when accepting the role.

Most tellingly, Pochettino appears to view this Gold Cup as a necessary reset rather than just tournament preparation. His extended camp approach and focus on mentality suggest that he recognizes technical and tactical improvements are meaningless without addressing fundamental issues of commitment and professionalism.

The manager seems determined to establish new standards, but whether he can transform a program that has struggled for the past year remains the critical question. His success may ultimately depend less on tactical innovation than on cultural transformation within a team that appears to have lost its way despite individual talent.