Overview
- In an interview published this week, Mauricio Pochettino said the United States should aspire to win the 2026 World Cup, pointing to Morocco’s 2022 run as a mindset model.
- The team’s upswing continued with a 5-1 win over Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, reflecting improved performances since the Gold Cup under his rebuild.
- Pochettino has overhauled selection and tactics, calling 71 players into camps, leaning on MLS options, and adopting a back three.
- He defended availability decisions by resting Christian Pulisic and leaving out Chris Richards to manage workloads in coordination with clubs.
- ESPN reports the USMNT is set to face Portugal and Belgium in March as its final tune-ups before Pochettino names his World Cup roster.