Mauricio Pochettino’s Commitment Questioned After USMNT Loss

Mauricio Pochettino entered the Gold Cup final hailed as the marquee name hired to elevate the United States men’s national team. Yet the 2-1 defeat to Mexico has flipped the narrative, sparking accusations that the Argentine has not been fully present for the job he accepted in September 2024.

Mauricio Pochettino Faces Fierce USMNT Criticism

Former U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller did not mince words on the Futbol Américas podcast. He argued that Pochettino’s limited familiarity with the American player pool—and his perceived preference for outside commitments—created cracks Mexico exploited.

“Pochettino hasn’t shown a full commitment to the national team,” Keller stated. “The best international managers live and breathe the squad, attend domestic games every weekend, and talk constantly to players. We haven’t seen that level of engagement.”

Keller pointed to anecdotes from multiple U.S. internationals who have yet to receive a single phone call from the coach. Right-back Sergiño Dest even admitted publically that he had never spoken to the new boss months into the tenure. To Keller, that silence translated to a fractured locker room in Inglewood when Mexico lifted the trophy.

Herculez Gomez Adds to the Pile-On

Analyst and former striker Herculez Gomez slammed the optics of Pochettino’s schedule. While 15 Major League Soccer players were selected for the 26-man Gold Cup squad, Gomez noted that the coach has not been photographed at a single MLS stadium. “Spending $6 million a year on a manager who hasn’t set foot in the league that supplies over half his roster just doesn’t sit right,” Gomez said.

The ex-forward also highlighted a viral moment that did Pochettino no favors: coaching YouTuber IShowSpeed in a London charity match only days before the U.S. kicked off its Gold Cup campaign. To critics, the cameo reinforced the idea of a superstar coach who prefers the global spotlight to the grind of scouting in Cincinnati or Salt Lake City.

Inside the Gold Cup Collapse

On the pitch, Mexico capitalized on defensive miscues and midfield turnovers, securing an early lead the U.S. never fully overturned. Sources within the camp described post-match frustration over tactical instructions that changed repeatedly throughout the tournament. Veterans hinted that cohesion was impossible when several starters discovered their roles only hours before kickoff.

Beyond substitutions and shape, players reportedly felt the absence of a clear communication channel. In European club football—where Pochettino excelled with Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain—the Argentine can rely on daily training sessions to convey nuances. International management, Keller reminded listeners, demands proactive outreach during long club breaks. Without it, chemistry fades.

The Bigger Picture Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The United States Soccer Federation hired Mauricio Pochettino on a record salary precisely because the 2026 World Cup will be played on home soil. A Gold Cup final loss is not catastrophic on its own, but the manner of defeat raises alarms. With two years left to forge a title-challenging squad, every camp and every friendly is critical.

Dual-national recruitment is also pressing. American fans celebrated when Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun chose the Stars and Stripes. That momentum, however, can evaporate if highly coveted prospects feel overlooked. Gomez claimed he has “heard nothing” about Pochettino courting rising talents in Liga MX, the Bundesliga, or the Premier League academies.

How Pochettino Can Win Back Confidence

1. Live in the stands
Spending weekends at MLS venues—publicly and consistently—would send an immediate message of dedication.
2. Open the phone lines
Direct calls to both established stars and fringe players can restore trust. Players thrive when they feel their input matters.
3. Clarify the tactical identity
At Tottenham, Pochettino’s pressing-and-possession hybrid became a trademark. Replicating that clarity with the U.S. setup will require establishing core principles now, not in 2025.
4. Embrace the American soccer culture
Attending college matches, youth tournaments, and supporters’ events may look symbolic, yet symbolism carries weight in an evolving soccer nation.

Upcoming Tests: South Korea and Japan

September friendlies against South Korea and Japan arrive sooner than they appear. Both Asian sides combine high pressing with technical flair—a perfect litmus test for whether Pochettino can translate his philosophy quickly. Dropped results will not doom his reign, but they will compound pressure already boiling from media, alumni, and a fanbase that often feels starved for transparency.

Financial Stakes and Federation Expectations

The U.S. federation leaned on outside benefactors to finance the most expensive coaching hire in its history. Those donors expected Champions-League caliber expertise, not doubts over sideline commitment. Every lost ticket sale or lukewarm TV rating in the run-up to 2026 jeopardizes future investment in grassroots programs, coaching education, and infrastructure. In essence, Pochettino’s perceived indifference reaches far beyond a single tournament result.

Legacy on the Line for Mauricio Pochettino

No one disputes the Argentine’s résumé. He molded Tottenham into a Champions League finalist and guided PSG to domestic dominance. Yet international football is a different beast: fewer sessions, deeper cultural nuances, and limited windows for course correction. Keller’s and Gomez’s criticisms echo a broader fear that past club success does not automatically translate to nurturing a diverse, trans-Atlantic talent pool.

Opinion: Time for Actions, Not Pedigrees

Hiring Mauricio Pochettino was an ambitious statement, signaling that U.S. Soccer refuses to settle for mediocrity on home turf in 2026. Ambition alone, however, cannot substitute for sweat equity. The Gold Cup loss revealed cracks that only genuine engagement can seal. If the Argentine embraces the grind—scouting midweek MLS fixtures, calling teenagers in the Bundesliga, and living the day-to-day reality of American soccer—his tactical know-how could still deliver unprecedented success. If not, Keller’s warning may prove prophetic, and the federation will face a painful decision sooner than anyone imagined.