The USMNT’s latest squad selections confirm that Mauricio Pochettino has moved beyond mere experimentation, meticulously crafting a cohesive unit determined to compete fiercely for the 2026 World Cup, marked by a revitalized team attitude and tactical clarity.
After a period of extensive evaluation and deliberate change, Mauricio Pochettino’s vision for the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the 2026 World Cup is finally coming into clear view. The October international window squad, featuring both familiar faces and emerging talents, signals a decisive shift from broad experimentation to a concentrated effort on building a cohesive, competitive unit.
This clarity comes after a challenging initial phase. Alarms rang earlier, particularly during the March Nations League finals, where the team’s performance was characterized by a lack of energy and poor attitudes, resulting in a last-place finish. This experience prompted Pochettino to enact significant changes, opting to omit certain players from camp rosters and instead offer expanded opportunities to several newcomers.
The Pochettino Philosophy: Performance Over Reputation
At the heart of Pochettino’s approach is a resolute commitment to fostering a new team culture. His philosophy is succinctly summarized as “perform or else,” emphasizing that past achievements and reputations hold little sway. Only current performance matters in his selection process. This demanding stance marks a distinct departure from previous management styles, like that of his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, who was known for a more communicative approach with players.
This “tough love” style, where players are expected to understand their standing without direct explanations, is a hallmark of Pochettino’s coaching career, as highlighted by The Athletic. He believes that true athletes instinctively know why they are in or out of the squad, eliminating mixed messages. This unapologetic honesty is designed to build a squad of players who are intrinsically motivated and deeply understand the competitive demands of international football.
Circumstances beyond his control, such as player availability during last summer’s Club World Cup and critical injuries to key performers like Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, and Folarin Balogun, certainly complicated Pochettino’s initial squad building. However, these challenges only intensified his focus on cultivating an unyielding competitive spirit within the team, a crucial factor for the USMNT’s identity heading into the 2026 World Cup, as discussed by US Soccer.
October Squad: A Glimpse of the Future
The October international window squad provides the clearest indication yet of Pochettino’s preferred lineup and tactical blueprint. The roster reflects players who have fully embraced his “perform or else” mandate:
- Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) and Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) earned their spots due to stellar club form, showcasing consistency that Pochettino values deeply.
- Antonee Robinson, despite limited club minutes post-injury, has been brought back, with Pochettino keen to help him regain confidence and match fitness.
- Conversely, players like Yunus Musah and Joe Scally were noticeably absent, signaling that they have yet to meet the manager’s demanding performance standards.
The recent 1-1 draw against Ecuador provided further evidence that the team is clicking. Defender Tim Ream highlighted how Pochettino is successfully “marrying the tactical ideas and the strategy with playing with energy and aggressiveness.” The match, where Folarin Balogun scored the tying goal, demonstrated the team’s growing cohesion even without several 2022 World Cup starters like an injured Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson (rested), Tyler Adams (personal reasons), and Sergiño Dest (not in camp).
Tactical Nuances and Positional Battles
Pochettino’s tactical preferences are also becoming clearer. The team is embracing a formation that often utilizes three center backs, allowing wingers to drop back defensively. This dynamic system capitalizes on speed and counterattacks, a strategy articulated by Tim Weah, who was a menacing force on the right flank against Ecuador.
Key positional battles continue to unfold:
- The goalkeeper spot remains open, with Matt Turner recalled to challenge Matthew Freese.
- Folarin Balogun appears to have solidified his claim as the starting striker.
- The right wingback position sees competition between Tim Weah and Alejandro Zendejas, with Pochettino hinting at Weah’s versatility in that role.
- Midfield remains fluid, with Tessmann and Morris forming a defensive midfield duo against Ecuador, and Weston McKennie deployed in a more advanced, free-roaming central role. His return to the squad after being out of favor indicates a renewed opportunity to prove his worth in Pochettino’s system.
While Christian Pulisic’s electric form makes his spot virtually secure, Pochettino’s refusal to declare any player’s position safe underscores his constant demand for peak performance. This culture is designed to keep every player hungry and fighting for their place.
The Road Ahead: Peaking at the Right Time
The message from Pochettino is unequivocal: the time for widespread experimentation is largely over, and the culling of the player pool has begun. The focus is now on refining the squad and ensuring that only the most committed and in-form players will represent the nation in 2026. As Tanner Tessmann aptly put it, “We’re growing, and we’re getting closer and closer, and the World Cup’s coming, and I think it’s about peaking at the right time, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
The recent progress, marked by improved performances against challenging opponents like Japan and Ecuador, instills growing confidence within the camp. While the USMNT is not yet a World Cup contender, the foundation being laid by Mauricio Pochettino, built on a rigorous culture of accountability and tactical precision, suggests they are firmly headed in the right direction.
