Calling Mauricio Pochettino a 'Phony' Lands Ex-Player In Trouble With USMNT Legend

Mauricio Pochettino is leading the USMNT to the 2026 World Cup at home, and while some former players like Herculez Gomez don't like the way the team is being coached, the 3-time World Cup player Eric Wynalda is unhappy with Gomez' comments.

The USMNT has been at the center of sports debates and podcasts in recent months. With the World Cup approaching and Mauricio Pochettino needing to finalize his roster, the pressure is mounting as the team heads into its final friendlies of the year.

Meanwhile, Herculez Gomez hasn’t held back on his criticism, calling Pochettino a “phony” while questioning his commitment to the USMNT. Former U.S. international Eric Wynalda, however, didn’t like the way Gomez referred to the ex-Tottenham, Chelsea, and PSG coach, and fired back with a strong response live on the Unleash program.

“Do you really think that calling Mauricio Pochettino a phony is a good idea? You do realize that that’s what we call you. Just so we’re clear: the next time you decide to start talking about a coach who has had some success in his career, a guy who’s never stood on the sidelines, never even talked in front of a team, never even pretended to be a coach, is going to tell a guy how to be a coach? You weren’t even a good player," Wynalda said.

This isn’t the first time the two former players have clashed. Wynalda once blocked Gomez on X (formerly Twitter), and the pair have been trading barbs for years. Wynalda often reminds Gomez that he never played in a World Cup, suggesting he doesn’t understand what it takes to perform on that stage.

"Stop telling the public what it takes to be in a World Cup when you’ve never even been in one. I’ve been in three, so take it for what it’s worth. And I can tell you, without hesitation, that this team you see right now—playing in a friendly against South Korea and Japan—will be nowhere near what the final product looks like in a World Cup.”

Internet Reacts to Wynalda vs. Gomez Beef

The rivalry between the two may not be new, but the internet has turned it into a spectacle. Some fans side with Wynalda’s perspective on the USMNT, while others relate more to Gomez’s analysis and approach to the game. And of course, plenty of fans aren’t taking sides at all — they’re just enjoying the drama and turning the beef into memes.