Pochettino and the USMNT: Has He Finally Found the Right Path?
The USA vs Paraguay match, though officially just a friendly, may have offered the clearest sign yet that something concrete is being built under Mauricio Pochettino. We don’t want to jump to early conclusions, but it seems the coach needed time to implement his ideas with the USMNT – especially since this is his first job at the national team level. Pochettino doesn’t come from the American infrastructure and isn’t deeply familiar with the “American mentality,” even though he is Latin American. He is much more adapted to the European style and pace, which still remains several steps ahead of American soccer. This gives the impression that he wants to elevate this team toward those standards – faster ball circulation, more compact pressing, and greater tactical discipline. His now-famous statement – that the greatest success for USMNT would be “winning the World Cup” – divided fans. Some saw it as a much-needed dose of ambition, while others dismissed it as completely out of touch. But today’s match gave both sides something to chew on: there are still holes to fix, but clear progress is visible.
What We Saw Against Paraguay (Match Summary)
The US took the lead in the 4th minute with a goal from Gio Reyna, who finally looked like the player everyone expected him to be. Paraguay responded quickly through Arce, following a brilliant Almirón cross. In the second half, with better control of the ball and more aggressive pressing, the US scored the winner via Folarin Balogun, following Reyna’s run and a deflected pass. There were minor disturbances – a few dangerous Paraguay chances, a missed Pepi opportunity on a counter, and even a small skirmish near the sideline – but the key takeaway is that the US looked more organized and tactically secure than in previous Pochettino matches.
Match Highlights
Has Pochettino Gained Credibility With Fans?
Slowly – yes, he has. Fans value two things most: a clear identity and visible progress. Past games felt like experiments, but today it seemed like there is a formation and structure that works. The three-center-back system with attacking fullbacks, which Pochettino consistently uses, finally looked like something players understand and can execute.
Signs of the Right Path Forward
Although there are areas to refine — defensive transitions, finishing efficiency, and midfield control — the USMNT now displays:
- Tactical maturity
- Defined roles
- Recognizable playing style
- Individual development
Looking Ahead: Uruguay Challenge
The upcoming friendly against Uruguay will test the team further, but the USMNT appears on a positive trajectory. If the goal is to restore confidence and elevate the squad’s level, Pochettino has taken a significant step in the right direction.
“These are exactly the type of games we want — against world-class opponents, in front of our home fans, to test our chemistry and resilience,” Pochettino said earlier this month.
Conclusion
With visible progress, clear roles, and tactical identity emerging, Pochettino is beginning to solidify the USMNT’s path toward competitiveness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
