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Tim Howard Claims Pochettino & USMNT Are Lucky To Have Criticism- 'Nobody Cared Before'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 6:37 PM ET

Soccer may dominate headlines across the globe, but in the United States it has long played second fiddle to sports like basketball, football, and baseball. That’s slowly changing, though. With every passing year, the game is drawing bigger crowds, louder opinions, and far more scrutiny than ever before.

And for Tim Howard, that shift is something to celebrate, not complain about. The former USMNT captain believes the current squad and coach Mauricio Pochettino should see the criticism and heightened expectations as a privilege, because in his day, nobody cared enough to even have that conversation.

Speaking on the recent criticism faced by Christian Pulisic and the USMNT he said, “There was nothing nobody cared. So for everyone in U.S soccer, players coaches and executives alike now there is criticism, now people care.”

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Tim Howard put it pretty plainly: the best players are always judged more harshly, and that’s nothing new—it’s been part of sports forever. He added that all the outside noise and criticism Pulisic gets now is actually a sign of progress. Back when Howard was playing, soccer in the U.S. didn’t get that kind of attention. Stadiums were half empty, hardly anyone cared, and if there was criticism, it was buried on some obscure forum you had to dig to find.

Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT Faces Heat From the Media and Fans

After a tough run of results, Mauricio Pochettino finally had reason to smile as the U.S. men’s national team beat Japan 2-0 in Columbus. Goals from Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun gave the team a much-needed lift, and for Pochettino, it was also a chance to defend his players. He told reporters criticism should be aimed at him, not the squad, insisting they need freedom to perform without extra pressure.

The Argentine coach admitted the project is still a work in progress, stressing the importance of patience and building trust between staff and players. He praised Zendejas, who wasn’t part of the Gold Cup squad, for making a strong case for future call-ups. Balogun also impressed on his return, linking up with Christian Pulisic for his sixth U.S. goal.

Looking ahead, Pochettino is focusing on preparation for the 2026 World Cup, with upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia next month.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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