USMNT Might Have a Major Problem in the 2026 World Cup

Where is the Commitment From USMNT Stars?

The simmering drama between Pochettino and Christian Pulisic last summer was more than just a headline; it was a symptom of a much larger problem. When your biggest star opts to rest rather than lead the team into the Gold Cup, alarm bells should be ringing.

Pulisic’s fiery response to critics questioning his commitment laid bare a worrying disconnect. “To question my commitment, especially towards the national team? In my opinion, that’s way out of line,” he stated, revealing a rift not just with pundits, but seemingly with the manager’s expectations.

He wasn’t alone. Key figures like McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Folarin Balogun were also absent for significant stretches. Under Pochettino, a USMNT call-up has started to feel optional, not obligatory. Former USMNT keeper Kasey Keller hit the nail on the head, pointing out the manager’s failure to connect with his top players. “You hear players… ‘Have you spoken with Pochettino? No, he’s never called me.’ That’s fine if you’re a club coach… But as a national team coach, you only have what you have.”

Pulisic later confirmed he and the manager had gone months without speaking. For a team desperate for leadership and unity, the silence from the top was deafening.

A Plan Without Urgency

Pochettino speaks of a “plan” and a “process,” but from the outside, it’s an incoherent mess. The constant lineup shuffling and tactical experiments might be justifiable if the World Cup were years away. It’s not. It’s nine months away.

“I think I am positive because the players trust in the process, because they know that we have a plan,” he said after the USMNT lost to South Korea. But what is that plan? It’s a question fans and pundits are asking with increasing desperation. The time for tinkering is over. The time for solidifying a core group, drilling a consistent system, and building momentum is now. His words preach patience, but the calendar screams for urgency.

Tactical Rigidity and Square Pegs

Pochettino’s tactical stubbornness, a relic of his club-level success, has been a major roadblock. He arrived with a preference for a 4-2-3-1, a system that requires specific player profiles. But unlike at Tottenham, he can’t just buy the players he needs.

Instead of adapting his system to the strengths of the USMNT player pool, he has tried to force square pegs into round holes. This has resulted in players being played out of position, leading to defensive lapses, missed assignments, and disjointed attacks. The case of Max Arfsten is a prime example. A dynamic winger for his club, he was repeatedly exposed as a fullback under Pochettino. It took 17 agonizing matches before a switch to a 3-4-3 against Japan finally unlocked Arfsten, who promptly set up a goal. It was a moment of clarity that was long, long overdue.

Denying the Obvious

Perhaps most frustrating for the supporters has been Pochettino‘s denial. After a string of poor results, instead of accountability, he has offered excuses and bristled at criticism. Following a fourth-place finish at the Nations League, he urged fans not to be “pessimistic.” More recently, he lashed out, telling critics they can “talk about bull—” if they want.

This defensiveness has created a chasm between the coach and the fanbase. American soccer fans are passionate and knowledgeable; they can see the disarray on the field. Being told to ignore the evidence and just “trust the process” feels patronizing, especially when the process itself appears fundamentally flawed.

The win over Japan offered a glimmer of hope, a potential path forward. But one win doesn’t erase a year of questionable decisions. The next nine months are critical. Pochettino must establish a consistent core, foster a “can’t miss” culture, and settle on a tactical identity. The talent is there. The time is now. The question is, will the USMNT be ready?