Mauricio Pochettino was finally announced as USMNT boss as USMNT drew 1-1 with New Zealand

Happy Wednesday! The USMNT finally announced the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday evening, bringing renewed positivity after a grueling summer that produced another disappointing result in Cincinnati. I’m Pardeep Cattry with a USMNT-focused check-in as the international break comes to an end.

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⚽ The forward line

✅ Mauricio Pochettino finally takes the USMNT job

Finally, US Soccer announced on Tuesday the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new coach of the US men’s national team, concluding a financial saga with his previous employers at Chelsea and officially marking the start of an ambitious chapter in the program’s history.

US Soccer has signed one of the sport’s top coaches in Pochettino, who brings years of experience in Spain, the Premier League and Ligue 1 and offers a fresh perspective as the USMNT prepares for the 2026 World Cup on home soil. seismic impact of a statement shown over two years was something Pochettino pointed out in his first official comments as new head coach, which appeared in a statement announcing his appointment.

• Pochettino: “For me, the decision to join US Soccer wasn’t just about football; it’s about the journey this team and this country are on. The energy, the passion and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – that’s the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the US Men’s National Team, in front of fans as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, together we are going to do something special build something the whole country can be proud of.”

Pochettino joins a small list of USMNT head coaches with no experience of the American football landscape, although in his case that will be considered a strength after more than a decade of coaching in the sport’s top leagues. The overwhelming feeling after the USMNT’s group stage exit from this summer’s Copa America was that the team had grown stale under the leadership of Pochettino’s predecessor Gregg Berhalter, who successfully guided the team to a promising round of 16 finish at the World Cup 2022, but failed to renew the vision and ambition when he was rehired in June 2023. It is a view shared by fans and players alike, with USMNT captain Christian Pulisic praising Pochettino’s appointment in his post-match comments following the team’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Tuesday.

• Pulisian: “I hope he can bring a new winning mentality, a culture within the team that will really make a transition and flip a switch so that a lot of guys can take a step up. [The team needs a] culture that’s willing to fight, that’s willing to take risks, you know, [to] win. There are many things that need to change, just the mentality and culture of the group. I think we have the quality, but hopefully that’s the first thing he wants to change.”

The new head coach was not at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Tuesday to observe the team in person, but will prepare for his first matches in the coming weeks: friendlies against Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas and against Mexico. on October 15 in Guadalajara. And speaking of the challenges that await him…

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🔗 Link play in midfield

🇺🇸 Mauricio Pochettino’s big project ahead

The US men’s national team went into Tuesday’s friendly against New Zealand on positive terms after Maurico Pochettino’s appointment was announced half an hour before kick-off, but the mood soured towards the end of the evening when an uninspiring performance resulted in a 1-1 draw. The USMNT now end the summer with just one win in their last seven games, giving Pochettino a first look at what needs to be addressed to ensure the team puts their best foot forward at the 2026 World Cup.

Between the Copa America display and the winless run in September, the USMNT have not been proven right and legitimate questions have been raised about their tactical setup, player selection and mentality, all of which Pochettino will have to address over the next two years. The first two will be of particular importance in the early days of his tenure, as he adapts his aggressive, attack-oriented playing style to the international level in his first job as national coach, while the composition of the squad goes hand in hand. hand with that effort.

The process of exploring the wider player pool is already underway. For this month’s friendlies, interim head coach Mikey Varas teamed up with seven non-Copa America players, some of whom were a bright spot during a spring international break. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was a standout in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Canada, while outside backs Marlon Fossey and Kristoffer Lund performed well against New Zealand, as did midfielder Aidan Morris. As Chuck Booth writes, all of these players could provide help in positions of need for the USMNT, especially as the defensive structure remains unresolved.

• Position: “Chris Richards has emerged as the top center back on the squad, while Antonee Robinson has become the top left defender, but every remaining position is up for grabs. Sergino Dest came close to capturing the right back position and could still do so , but after suffering a lot with an ACL injury, he will have to get back to top form before the USMNT can count on him. Tyler Adams is an example of how players sometimes aren’t the same after serious injuries, so it’s important that they get enough time Joe Scally was the starter during the Copa America, but he hasn’t done enough to become an undisputed starter in the role.”

Pochettino’s vision for the USMNT is expected to be very different to that of his predecessors, but how quickly he can shake things up will be worth watching as he prepares for his first games in charge next month. It is unclear whether or not Pochettino will take charge. in Cincinnati to see or meet his new team on Tuesday before taking charge of his first match next month when the USMNT takes on Panama at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The appointment will provide a dose of positive energy during a summer to forget for the national team, but the past few months have been a stark reminder that Pochettino will inherit a deeply imperfect team once he finally takes over. As important as a top-level manager will be to their chances of making an impact at the World Cup in two years’ time, the players will need to perform in equal measure to make that happen – and they’ll need to show they’re ready . sooner or later this task if they want to live up to the hype.

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💵 Best bets

• World Cup 2026: champion
  💰 THE PICK: England win the 2026 World Cup (+650) — While France, Spain and Brazil remain the oddsmakers’ favorites at +550, this international breakthrough proved England are not a team to sleep on. Two steady wins over Ireland and Finland this month were a reminder that they have one of the best squads in the international game, as was the fact that the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor will also focus on hiring a manager who can help England . win their second World Cup.

For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss CBSSports.com’s betting homepage.

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