Mauricio Pochettino has transformed the United States national team into a true belief machine, breaking decades of skepticism and placing the “impossible dream” of the World Cup within a shout of a goal. The Argentine coach, renowned for his tactical pragmatism and contagious passion, orchestrated two decisive victories right at the start of the competition, securing first place in Group D even before playing their final match against Turkey this Thursday at the iconic SoFi Stadium. With qualification already secured and morale high, the Americans position themselves as one of the major surprises of this World Cup, ready to face a theoretically more accessible opponent in the round of 16, scheduled for July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
Pochettino’s work is all the more remarkable for having revolutionized a group that just 20 months ago seemed adrift. The 54-year-old coach, who has settled into a near-retreat environment by the Pacific, describes the process with pride: “Talent has brought us this far, but it is heart, effort, and unity that will make us unforgettable,” he stated, surrounded by his unorthodox rituals – from the lemons he believes absorb negative energies to the wall covered in motivational phrases written by him. Among them, the motto that has become the team’s mantra stands out: “Why Not U.S.,” a challenging pun that has evolved from a joke to a prophecy.
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The impact of this metamorphosis is felt not only in the results but, above all, in the attitude displayed on the field. Against all expectations, the United States is showcasing vibrant football, a blend of South American aggression and European discipline, far removed from the grey image of recent years. Pochettino does not hide the arduous journey to this point, recalling that the turning point was the humiliating performance in the CONCACAF Nations League in March 2025, where the team finished last among the four qualifiers. “We needed to hit rock bottom,” he confessed, emphasizing that this failure was planned: “We received a punch in the stomach, but it was necessary. It was a good shock.”
A total reconstruction followed, focusing on youth and redefining priorities for the summer Gold Cup. From there, the team embarked on an unbeaten streak against heavyweights, all of whom are present at the World Cup. “We challenged people, we challenged the organization, we challenged players, we challenged everyone,” summarized Pochettino, insisting that what is now seen is not by chance, but the result of a meticulously executed plan.
Tim Weah, the national team winger, acknowledges the importance of the mentality brought by the coach: “Pochettino brought that South American grit. When we look at teams like Argentina, Brazil, or Colombia, we see that they always have that extra edge because of their mentality; they never give up. I think we’ve never had that before,” he admitted, praising the transformation of the United States into a truly resilient team.
Belief has, in fact, become the fuel for this collective. In November, Pochettino evoked the examples of South Korea in 2002 and Morocco in 2022, unexpected semifinalists, to challenge his men: “Why not us?” he asked, rallying the group around a goal that no one considers unrealistic anymore.
Not even the heavy defeats against Belgium and Portugal shook the coach’s conviction. “We started to see progress,” he assured, emphasizing that the victorious debut at the World Cup, precisely in the same stadium where they had been humiliated months earlier, symbolized the team’s rebirth. “I didn’t recognize the stadium because it was empty before,” he joked, alluding to the desolate atmosphere of the Nations League, contrasting with the stands filled with vibrant American fans in recent matches.
Despite not residing in the United States, Pochettino revealed that he has developed a special bond with the country and its sports culture. “If Americans start to show the same passion for soccer, why not be part of something that can create a legacy?” he questioned, expressing his willingness to extend his stay after the World Cup, despite the expected interest from top European clubs.
The immediate future holds new challenges: with qualification already secured, Pochettino will be able to rotate players against Turkey, preparing the team for the round of 16 and fueling the dream of going even further. The bond created between the team and the fans, solidified by shared chants and a family-like attitude, could be the true trump card of a selection that has already proven to be ready to rewrite its history. After all, why not the United States? Under Pochettino’s leadership, everything seems possible, and the country is finally starting to believe.
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