Here we go. New USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino will coach the team’s first competitive match on November 18.
That’s when the U.S. men’s national team heads to CITYPark for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal. History bodes well for the Stars and Stripes at the St. Louis stadium, where they’ve won their last two competitions.
Pochettino’s vision: Building a winning mentality for the USMNT
November’s Nations League opponent is yet to be determined. The matchup will be against one of the top-four teams in the group stage CONCACAF ranking by the end of the October international window.
“This competition is an important part of our preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,“ said Pochettino. “As the holders, we want to defend this title and build this winning mentality.
“I am aware of the big soccer history of St. Louis and its impact on the national team, so the new members of the staff are looking forward to visiting the city for ourselves and experiencing the atmosphere at the stadium.”
Poch will aim to extend USMNT’s Nations League predominance to four titles in a row.
But USMNT fans shouldn’t expect the new coach to be kissing the badge on the first game. The Argentine said this upon his Chelsea hire before the 2023/24 Premier League season.
“It’s easy for me to arrive in the first game and kiss the badge but it is not in my nature. I want to create real feelings. If we arrive one day and feel the love between the fans and us, it is going to be real, not fake because we are not fake people”.
The American boys will have to earn it, for which Poch will get a glimpse in friendlies against Panama and Mexico. By the look of things, some Americans are in good shape, especially ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic has scored in back-to-back games for AC Milan, one against Liverpool in the Champions League and a superb solo effort in the Milan Derby on Sunday. Weston McKennie also struck against PSV in Juventus’s opening ULC match.
Other players like Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, and Brenden Aaronson will need some time to rebuild after underperforming at the club level.
Poch excels in motivating players, especially younger talent. “When the players feel that you care, I think you can get the best from them,” he said.
