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U.S. men's national team players have opened up about the "exhausting" yet rewarding experience of playing under the "intense, demanding and loving" Mauricio Pochettino as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
The transition from Gregg Berhalter, whose coaching background was largely rooted in MLS, to former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Pochettino proved challenging for many USMNT players. The seasoned Argentine arrived in the United States with a clear vision of what it takes to win, fundamentally reshaping the culture and training methods of the previously struggling squad.
"I think he's a bit more strict in certain areas," midfielder Tyler Adams told ESPN about Pochettino. "The standards he set were crystal clear from day one: 'Don't break my trust. Don't break the rules. Don't disrespect each other, or you won't be part of this.'"
"Above everything, he demands intensity, and he demands mentality ... he demands energy," midfielder Cristian Roldan said. "I think those qualities are really contagious. He's very likable. He'll embrace you. He'll sit down and talk with you. He'll get on your case. But ultimately, it all comes from a genuine place."
Veteran center back Tim Ream also spoke about how much more rigorous training has become under Pochettino. "In every single training session, the moment you step over that line, your focus is entirely on what's in front of you. And that can be exhausting. Yeah, it can be really exhausting."
No One Is Safe Under Pochettino
From the very beginning of his tenure, Pochettino made it abundantly clear that every player would need to earn his place on the USMNT. Reputation, club form or prior national team experience would no longer be enough to secure a spot in the Argentine's squad.
"No one gets special treatment," Adams said. "When you arrive at camp, you're a U.S. men's national team player — you've earned the right to be here. [He'll] make sure you improve with every camp visit and feel like you belong. But at the same time, you're expected to put in the work to get something out of it."
Pochettino has consistently left out some of the USMNT's highest-profile names, including Christian Pulisic, since taking over, whenever he felt players weren't fully committed to the national team cause. With the deadline for his final World Cup squad selection drawing near, a sense of unease has settled over the group.
"I'll be completely honest: I think some guys will probably feel nervous," Ream said. "I think that's a genuine and understandable feeling that some players will experience.
"The mindset you have to adopt is that your spot is never guaranteed, regardless of where you stand. Someone is always younger, quicker, better, and hungry to take your place. So how do you hold them off for as long as possible? You just keep putting in the work. That's the nature of this sport."
The USMNT Closer Than Ever Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Despite the challenges under Pochettino, both on the training pitch and in high-pressure matches, the USMNT has evolved into a tight-knit unit, with an "overarching culture that guys would die for the shirt," according to goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Ream revealed that communication and camaraderie among the players has reached new heights, with so many group chats that he "can't keep up with them all." At the heart of this new culture is Pochettino's commitment to building personal connections with his players, bringing a family-like atmosphere to the USMNT.
"He wants to have one-on-one conversations. He wants to know about your family," Ream said. "He wants to understand and connect with everyone on a much deeper level. Guys were a little uncomfortable with that kind of approach early on, but now they understand how he operates and what makes him tick."
"When you have a coach who is intense, demanding and caring, you take the time to get to know him, figure out what works in terms of communication and what doesn't," Turner added. "Then you try to learn as much as you can about each other and just open up."
The unity between the players and the coaching staff stems from one shared ambition: to make a memorable run on home soil at this summer's World Cup. The USMNT's quest for glory on soccer's biggest stage gets underway on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.