NEW YORK — “Believe.”
That powerful word has become synonymous with America’s beloved fictional soccer coach, Ted Lasso, from the popular Apple TV series. Now, this same message resonates from the lips of Mauricio Pochettino, the most celebrated coach in the history of the U.S. men’s national soccer team.
Pochettino was introduced as the new head coach of the USMNT during a grand press conference in midtown Manhattan. When asked about his goals for the team as they prepare to co-host the world’s largest sporting event in 21 months, the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur manager did not shy away from addressing the high expectations of fans.
“We have time, and we need to really believe in things, in big things,” said the 52-year-old Argentine. “We need to believe that we can win all the games, that we can win the World Cup.”
While there is a significant gap between the aspiration to win soccer’s most prestigious trophy and the reality of achieving it, Pochettino understands the necessity of rebuilding the USMNT’s confidence, which has been shaken following a disappointing Copa América performance.
After the team became the first Copa América host to exit during the group stage earlier this summer, their self-belief has plummeted to a level reminiscent of the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Pochettino’s immediate task is to instill a sense of fearlessness in his players, encouraging them to believe they can compete against any opponent.
“Of course the confidence was a little bit low after the Copa América,” he acknowledged. “I think it’s a very good generation of players. We need to show that we play like a collective on the pitch.”
Pochettino’s first match as the U.S. head coach is set for October 12 in Austin, Texas, where the Americans will face Concacaf rival Panama in what he insists is not just a friendly.
“For me, it’s not friendly,” he stated emphatically.
Getting to know the players beyond the field—observing them in training and during meals—will provide Pochettino and his experienced coaching staff, including Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, and Toni Jimenez, with crucial insights into the team’s dynamics. “We have a plan, and the most important thing is to feel how they are on the field together,” he explained. “[The players] can express themselves, how they see the team.”
While Pochettino aims to make the U.S. his permanent base eventually, he will remain in Barcelona for the time being, allowing him to maintain close connections with the USMNT’s predominantly European-based players. Building these relationships is essential.
“They need to feel our support clearly, to feel that we care for them,” he emphasized. “When the players feel that you care, you get the best out of that player.”
The dismal performance in the Copa América highlighted the need for improvement. “Improvement for us is really important,” he stated. “We want to play nice football, good football, exciting football, attacking football.”
Pochettino believes the players must clearly understand their roles and how to compete as a cohesive unit. “The potential is there, the talent is there,” he affirmed.
This potential is part of what drew one of the world’s most sought-after club coaches to take on his first international role. His fascination with the U.S. extends beyond soccer; he appreciates the country’s winning mentality.
“It’s a winning culture, a winning mentality,” he noted. With a home World Cup approaching, the opportunity is too significant to overlook. For the U.S. Soccer Federation, securing Pochettino is a remarkable achievement.
“His football résumé speaks for itself,” remarked U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. “Beyond that, also his passion — and you’ve heard it from him today — and his belief that we can go and do great things and that he can help us get there. Put all that together, and we believe that we have the best person in the world for this job.”
“It’s about creating something special — that’s the most important thing,” Pochettino concluded.
Facing elite soccer nations — only eight have ever lifted the World Cup — will present challenges. Success hinges on a resilient mentality.
“We are going to compete,” Pochettino promised, arriving with a reputation for maximizing player potential and nurturing talent.
Ultimately, the path forward for the U.S. lies in their hands. Pochettino sees no limits. “If you said to me that I need to pick only one word,” he said when asked what motivated him and his staff to transition from European club soccer to the U.S. job. “Because we believe. We believe we can work together to try to achieve what people, and us, all want: to win, and not only win games but to go for big trophies and to be there, competing, for the World Cup.”
“We are here,” he stated, “because we want to win.”
