Mauricio Pochettino has publicly backed AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic ahead of the 2026 World Cup, insisting the striker will end a prolonged goal drought and regain confidence. Pochettino also defended a streamlined midfield selection and painted the USMNT as a possession-minded side still evolving toward sustained global competitiveness.
Pochettino backs Pulisic as primary World Cup threat
Mauricio Pochettino entered the national training center in Fayetteville with a clear message: Christian Pulisic remains central to the United States’ hopes at the 2026 World Cup. Despite Pulisic’s extended scoring drought — no international goal since November 2024 and no club strike since December 28 — Pochettino called him a “special player” and expressed firm belief he will score in the tournament. Recovering Pulisic’s confidence, Pochettino said, is a priority before the group opener against Paraguay.
Why this matters
Pulisic is still the program’s marketable face and tactical fulcrum. If he rediscovers form, the USMNT’s chances of progressing deep improve markedly; if he doesn’t, the attack will need to reinvent how it creates and finishes chances. Pochettino’s public backing signals trust — and places pressure on both player and coach to convert belief into goals.
Midfield choices: compact squad, expanded roles
Pochettino surprised some by naming only four central midfielders in his 26-man squad: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie and Cristian Roldan. He defended that decision by highlighting positional versatility. Players such as Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest were mentioned as potential contributors in midfield-ish roles despite limited experience in an “engine room.”
Analysis: depth versus flexibility
Carrying fewer specialist midfielders tightens selection but amplifies the importance of tactical adaptability. Adams provides defensive stability; Berhalter and Roldan can operate as the lone holding option Pochettino envisions at times. McKennie’s club role has been more advanced, so his deeper deployment would be a notable shift. The coach’s plan is clear: prioritize possession, quick transitions and ball progression from deep rather than piling up traditional destroyers.
How Pochettino wants the USMNT to play
The Argentine has articulated a shift away from the historical U.S. template of counterattacking athleticism toward a possession-first identity. He stressed the need for players who can “play and feel comfortable” in build-up and who can move the ball “to put the ball in the final third in a better condition.”
Context and implications
The U.S. player profile has evolved thanks to broader exposure to European club football. Pochettino’s insistence on possession is an attempt to make the USMNT competitive against elite nations that dominate technically. That evolution is promising but fragile: maintaining player development and preventing plateaus at youth levels will determine whether the shift is durable.
Roster cuts and the human cost
Pochettino acknowledged how painful World Cup omissions are, describing the process as “cruel” and defending his team’s chosen communication approach. He emphasized respect built over two years and insisted the roster decisions were handled according to that framework.
Why the messaging matters
How a coach communicates impacts squad cohesion and public perception. Pochettino’s hard-line defense of his methods is designed to project authority and calm, but it also raises questions about the emotional side of elite selection — a factor that can reverberate in a four-year cycle.
Morale after difficult friendlies and the World Cup outlook
Recent friendly losses to Belgium and Portugal have dented fan optimism, but Pochettino urged perspective: losing to elite teams is not a definitive barometer for World Cup performance. He noted the tournament’s unique environment and suggested mentality and timing of form will be decisive.
What to watch in Fayetteville and beyond
Key indicators before kickoff:
- Pulisic’s minutes, positioning and confidence in the final warm-ups.
- How Pochettino balances possession with defensive solidity, especially if he sometimes omits a traditional holding midfielder.
- The ability of Adams, Berhalter and Roldan to control tempo and shield the backline.
- Whether flexible attackers can compensate if Pulisic’s scoring touch does not return.
Bottom line
Pochettino has set a clear blueprint: trust in Pulisic, prioritize possession, and rely on multipurpose midfielders rather than specialist numbers. It’s an ambitious, coherent plan that matches modern trends in international soccer.
Execution, not intent, will determine whether this iteration of the USMNT is memorable — for goals and results, or merely for promising ideas that failed to materialize.
The Guardian
