The United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) is off to its strongest start in nearly a century at the current World Cup, a turnaround credited in large part to head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his staff. The team secured a group stage victory for the first time since 2010 and has registered two wins—the most group stage victories for the U.S. since the inaugural tournament in 1930. With six goals scored so far, the team is one shy of matching its record for total World Cup goals scored in a single tournament.

Speaking during a June 23 roundtable discussion, two days before the USMNT’s final group match against Turkey, Pochettino emphasized the collective effort behind the team’s progress. He acknowledged that the transformation has been more challenging than initially expected. “Maybe we didn’t feel or saw how difficult was going to be the process," Pochettino said, reflecting on the early stage of his tenure. "We were so naïve when we signed the contract."

Pochettino took over the national team ahead of the World Cup with the clock ticking, succeeding Gregg Berhalter amid an underwhelming run despite a roster brimming with talent. The lineup features players such as Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, and Sergino Dest—many of whom are considered part of a so-called "golden generation." However, the team had stagnated, showing limited progress in closing the gap with global powerhouses prior to his appointment.

Adjusting team culture has proven a significant hurdle. Unlike club management, where coaches work with players daily for extended periods, the USMNT convenes only every six to eight weeks, complicating efforts to instill new habits and standards. Pochettino described moments of resistance from players accustomed to their routines but stressed the importance of fostering a unified approach. “If you have the habit to every morning to go [somewhere] and someone say, ‘No, you cannot go there,’ you are going to fight because it was your comfort zone,” he explained.

The transition saw its share of setbacks, including a four-game losing streak that culminated in a 2025 Nations League semifinal loss to Panama, which Pochettino characterized as a “good crash” that revealed flaws and galvanized change. His team responded by systematically addressing issues across the organization and on the field, with an emphasis on hard work and tactical discipline.

Pochettino, whose career includes league titles and a Champions League final appearance, was drawn to the USMNT role partly due to the opportunity to impact the sport’s growth in the United States. He envisions a future where soccer commands the same passion and cultural significance as American football and baseball. Referencing a college football game he attended, Pochettino remarked on the prospect of soccer capturing similarly fervent audiences nationwide.

This evolving ambition is encapsulated in the phrase “Why not us?”—a mantra Pochettino introduced in November that underscores the team's belief in its potential to compete at the highest level. Despite uneven performances in warm-up matches earlier this year, the USMNT has delivered commanding performances against respected opponents Paraguay and Australia in the World Cup.

Pochettino likened the team’s development to a growing tree: a process that requires patience before visible results emerge. “The process was necessary to change, to really change things and to go in the good direction,” he said. With their current momentum, the USMNT is poised to make a deeper impact as the tournament progresses.