Coach says U.S. soccer rebuild tougher than expected but progress underway

Mauricio Pochettino said the task of rebuilding the national soccer team proved larger than anticipated when he assumed the role nearly two years ago. The coach spoke Tuesday night during a media roundtable in his office at a Dana Point hotel where the team has trained.

He described a terraced view of the Pacific and surfers waiting for waves below. Pochettino said the program’s limited player contact and prior results created obstacles he had not fully measured before signing his contract.

Initial assessment Pochettino stated the team’s recent group-stage exit from the 2024 Copa America had left a culture of complacency that did not match his expectations. He said the gap between his urgency and the program’s prior approach required an immediate shift in standards.

Steps taken Pochettino said he identified key players and persuaded them to commit fully to the project. He added that the changes are now producing results during the current World Cup. "We were so naive when we signed our contract. I think what we find after we sign, we misjudged the situation. It was worse than we really believed." — Mauricio Pochettino (washingtontimes.com)