Pochettino's USMNT Leadership Exposed: Five Alarming Stats That Tell The Brutal Truth
During the eight-month period since Mauricio Pochettino assumed leadership of the U.S. men's national team, the Stars and Stripes have experienced unprecedented setbacks.
After enjoying a successful managerial career across European clubs, Pochettino embraced the opportunity to guide a skilled but underperforming USMNT. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup largely taking place on American territory, Pochettino faced immense expectations to rejuvenate a team that had recently failed to advance beyond the group stage in Copa América 2024.
However, the Argentine's leadership thus far has been marked by continuous letdowns. From uninspired performances and humiliating losses to questionable strategic decisions and team selections, Pochettino's stewardship of the Stars and Stripes has been undeniably disappointing.
Pochettino was anticipated to maximize the USMNT's capabilities, but instead, his tenure has only produced a series of unwelcome statistics.
USMNT Ends Undefeated Run Against Mexico
The first defeat under Pochettino's management came early. In just his second match at the helm, the 53-year-old coach led the Stars and Stripes against El Tri in an international friendly in Guadalajara.
Hopes were high for the USMNT, particularly following a 2–0 win over Panama in Pochettino's coaching debut. However, what transpired in Mexico was a disappointing 2–0 defeat for the Stars and Stripes that created an unwanted historical footnote.
This loss marked the first time since 2009 that the USMNT had fallen to El Tri on Mexican territory. It also ended the Stars and Stripes' seven-match undefeated streak against Mexico, their longest in the 90-year history of this fierce rivalry.
Nevertheless, few serious concerns were raised about the lackluster performance since Pochettino was missing many key players for the match, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah.
USMNT Fails to Retain Concacaf Nations League Championship
The USMNT recovered from its defeat to Mexico and proceeded to win its next four matches. Pochettino's squad, restored to full strength, then confronted Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals.
The Stars and Stripes endured a shocking 1–0 defeat on home soil in what could be considered one of their worst competitive performances in recent years. Panama managed just a single shot on target throughout the match, which happened to be their winning goal.
This defeat meant that for the first time ever, the USMNT would not claim the Concacaf Nations League title. The U.S. had won all three previous editions of the tournament, but under Pochettino's guidance, the team couldn't even reach the final.
To compound matters, the USMNT subsequently suffered a 2–1 loss to Canada in the third-place match, ultimately finishing fourth in the competition.
USMNT Experiences Three Consecutive Defeats
Following their Concacaf Nations League disappointment, the Stars and Stripes returned to action against Türkiye in one of two international friendlies scheduled before the 2025 Gold Cup. Once again, the USMNT failed to secure a positive result, suffering a 2–1 defeat.
Pochettino became the first USMNT manager since Jürgen Klinsmann in 2015 to lose three consecutive matches. This losing streak also represented the second time within the calendar year that the USMNT had experienced three straight defeats.
It's worth noting, however, that Pochettino was again without nearly all of his starting players. Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, McKennie, Weah and Gio Reyna were all absent for the clash with Türkiye.
The extensive list of missing players, combined with the USMNT's visible determination on the field, made this unwanted statistic somewhat more palatable.
USMNT Concedes Four Against Switzerland
Any minor positives from the USMNT's loss to Türkiye were completely erased when the team faced Switzerland three days later. The Stars and Stripes were thoroughly embarrassed on American soil, reaching a new low point under Pochettino's leadership.
The USMNT conceded four goals in the first 40 minutes of a match for the first time since November 9, 1980. It was also the first time in history this had ever occurred on home territory.
In fact, by the 33-minute mark, the USMNT was already trailing 3–0. The nightmarish first half was completely one-sided and represented the exact opposite of how a team should perform heading into its final tournament before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Even the absence of star players could not excuse the USMNT's embarrassing display at GEODIS Park.
USMNT Suffers Four Consecutive Defeats
The loss against Switzerland extended the USMNT's losing streak to four matches. Although the Stars and Stripes managed to prevent further goals in the second half, they still failed to score in their 4–0 defeat.
The USMNT has now lost four consecutive matches for the first time since 2007. Under Pochettino's guidance, the U.S. has endured its worst run of form in 18 years.
All will be forgiven if Pochettino can guide his team to victory at this summer's Gold Cup, but such an achievement seems difficult to imagine given the USMNT's recent performances. Before the USMNT can contemplate winning a trophy, it must first establish a consistent pattern of victories.