Mauricio Pochettino Aspires for U.S. Men to Match American Women's Dominance

Newly appointed coach Mauricio Pochettino aims to instill a winning mentality in the U.S. men's soccer team, drawing inspiration from the unparalleled success of their female counterparts.

In his inaugural press conference as U.S. men's national soccer team coach, Mauricio Pochettino laid out an ambitious vision for the squad. Emphasizing the need for a relentless pursuit of victory, Pochettino set the American women's team as the benchmark for achievement.

"We are here because we want to win," proclaimed Pochettino. "We are winners. We are going to compete, and compete is completely different than to play. ... We have many examples next to us we need to follow."

Mauricio Pochettino Aspires for U.S. Men to Match American Women's Dominance

While the U.S. men have not advanced beyond the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002 and have never lifted the tournament trophy, the American women boast an illustrious record of four World Cup triumphs and five Olympic gold medals.

Pochettino's aspiration for greatness stems from the belief that the current generation of U.S. players possesses the talent and potential to emulate their female counterparts. However, he acknowledged the need to instill a collective mentality and enhance on-field discipline.

"We need to believe that we can win, that we can win all our games, that we can win the World Cup," asserted Pochettino.

The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager is no stranger to success, having won the French league title with the latter. He has assembled a trusted staff, including assistant coaches Jesús Pérez and Miguel d'Agostino, and goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez, to support his vision for the U.S. team.

Pochettino faces several immediate challenges, including a thin pool of goalkeepers and central defenders. Additionally, the team has eight limited one-week training periods before the 2026 World Cup.

Despite these obstacles, Pochettino remains optimistic about the future of the U.S. men's team. His infectious belief and determination to succeed have resonated with the players and supporters alike.

Pochettino's unveiling was held in a Warner Bros. Discovery screening room, just eight blocks from where former coach Gregg Berhalter was introduced in 2018. The Argentine manager is tasked with steering the U.S. men's team into a new era of dominance, guided by the legacy of the American women's team as a beacon of inspiration.

"We spent a lot of time with him," revealed US Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone. "Just being as open and honest and transparent about the good, the bad, the ugly of U.S. soccer and what he was stepping into because we wanted, if he chose to come here, we wanted him to know exactly what he was getting into, what he was up against, where the opportunities were. ... And Emma played a huge part in that."

With a talented squad at his disposal and a proven track record of success, Pochettino is poised to lead the U.S. men's team on a transformative journey. The road ahead will be arduous, but the Argentine coach is confident in the team's ability to make history and stand among the world's elite.