Manager Facing the Heat After Another Defeat
Mauricio Pochettino faces mounting criticism following the United States men's national team's 2-0 defeat to South Korea, with questions intensifying about his approach and philosophy just months before the 2026 World Cup.
Since taking charge, Pochettino lacks a signature victory and has overseen losses to quality opponents including Mexico, Turkey, Panama, Canada, and Switzerland. The USMNT has now lost all six matches against top-35 Elo-rated teams under his leadership, with their current rating marking the worst American side of the 21st century. Under his guidance, the USMNT has regressed significantly, with their current Elo rating representing the lowest point since 1997.
Critics argue that Pochettino's continued experimentation with fringe players like debutant Tristan Blackmon comes too late in the cycle, disrupting team chemistry when cohesion should be the priority. The coach's vision of a team that would "dominate games" and be "very strong defensively" while remaining "very exciting going forward" has yet to materialize.
With every poor performance, pressure mounts on Pochettino to prove his methods will translate to World Cup success, as the dream of a transformative home tournament risks becoming a nightmare.
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