New USMNT coach shares philosophy for making team a contender in 2026 World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino has a lot of work to do to turn around the U.S. Men’s National Team before America hosts the 2026 World Cup. “Poch” walks us through his plans.
Mauricio Pochettino knows exactly what he’s getting into now.
The U.S. men’s national team was outplayed and out-efforted by archrival Mexico on Tuesday night. El Tri won 2-0, with Raul Jimenez and Cesar Huerta scoring, but the game was even more lopsided than the score indicated.
Mexico had a whopping 17-5 shot advantage and dominated possession until Huerta’s goal put the game out of reach.
The loss was the USMNT’s fourth in the last six games. It was the second time this year they’ve been shutout.
“Overall, I think Mexico was a little bit better than us and fully deserved the victory. But for us it’s a process,” Pochettino said after the game. “Only we can improve and learn from this experience.”
Pochettino was hired after the USMNT’s abysmal showing at Copa America, where they crashed out in the group stage after losing to both Panama and Uruguay. Though the Americans showed more energy and confidence in a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night, they were back to their woeful ways against El Tri.
This was officially a friendly, the first in Mexico since 2012. But there is never anything friendly when the USMNT and El Tri play, and Mexico clearly understood that. Jimenez scored on a direct free kick in the 22nd minute, sending a rocket of a shot over the U.S. wall and Matt Turner’s outstretched hand and into the net.
With that, El Tri was off and running.
“We started the game well. But after we conceded the goal … they started to be a little bit better, a little bit more aggressive than us,” Pochettino said.
Mexico made themselves at home on the U.S. side of the field. Whenever the USMNT did get the ball, Mexico quickly took it back. The Americans looked disorganized and indifferent, and didn’t have anything close to the grit they’re going to need at the World Cup in 2026. Huerta doubled Mexico’s lead in the 49th, taking advantage of a botched clearance by Tim Ream.
The USMNT did get a boost from Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas, who came in in the second half. Vazquez had perhaps the best shot at a U.S. goal, but his shot in the 80th minute was blocked.
It didn’t help the USMNT that Christian Pulisic wasn’t unavailable, having gone back to AC Milan after the Panama game. Several other regular starters are injured, including Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna. But the U.S. woes against Mexico went beyond those absences, with the lack of emotion the same thing that’s been plaguing the squad for months.
Players will head back to their clubs now, and Pochettino will have to figure out how to motivate his players before next month’s Nations League games. — Nancy Armour
Auston Trusty came on for Aidan Morris in the 83rd minute.
Obed Vargas, a 19-year-old midfielder who plays professionally for the Seattle Sounders of MLS, made his Mexico national team debut in the 83rd minute, replacing Jesús Angulo.
Vargas, who was born in Anchorage, Alaska, made a one-time switch from the U.S. to Mexico.
“The thought process was simple for me: It’s the team I grew up watching,” Vargas said in June about the switch. “It’s a way for me to honor my family, my culture.
“My whole family is Mexican. So it was just the team I grew up watching, the team I feel the most love towards.” — Jim Reineking
Even a friendly with Mexico isn’t really friendly.
Alex Zendejas was given a yellow card after a scuffle with Jesus Angulo in the 74th minute. Zendejas, who chose to play for the United States over Mexico and plays his club football in Mexico, was unhappy with Angulo kicking out in Zendejas’ direction after a tackle. He shoved Angulo, and several players from both teams rushed in. There was some more pushing and shoving before tempers cooled.
Edson Alvarez also was given a yellow card. — Nancy Armour
The USMNT made three more substitutions in the 63rd minute against Mexico. Brandon Vazquez replaced Malik Tillman, who got a rare start because Christian Pulisic returned to AC Milan after the Panama game. Haji Wright came in for Josh Sargent and Tanner Tessmann replaced Gianluca Busio.
Six minutes later, Mexico made three subs of its own. Cesar Huerta, who scored Mexico’s second goal, was replaced by Alexis Vega. Diego Lainez replaced Roberto Alvarado and German Berterame came in for Oberlin Pineda. — Nancy Armour
The USMNT gifted Mexico a second goal, this one by Cesar Huerta in the 49th minute.
Raul Jimenez, who scored El Tri’s first goal in the 22nd minute, was streaking toward the goal when Tim Ream tried to take the ball away. But Ream botched the clearance and Huerta pounced on it and fired a shot past Matt Turner. It’s the third time in 12 games this year that the USMNT has given up multiple goals. — Nancy Armour
Mauricio Pochettino is making two substitutions to start the second half, likely hoping they can give his lackluster team some spark.
Kristoffer Lund is replacing Antonee Robinson while Alex Zendejas is coming in for Yunus Musah.
USMNT trailing at the half
While that didn’t go as planned.
The U.S. men’s national team finds itself trailing Mexico 1-0 at halftime after being outplayed for much of the first 45 minutes. This despite Mauricio Pochettino using almost the same lineup as Saturday’s game against Panama, which the USMNT won, 2-0.
This is the first friendly against El Tri in Mexico since 2012, but it’s still an important game. In addition to Pochettino’s second game in charge of the USMNT, it’s a rare high-stakes environment for the Americans. As a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, the Americans don’t have to qualify, which means many of their games until then will not have the same competitive feel. But every match against Mexico, including friendlies, have an edge to them.
The Americans looked up for it early. But after Raul Jimenez scored on a direct free kick in the 22nd minute, sending a rocket over Matt Turner’s outstretched hand and into the upper corner of the net, the USMNT lost its composure. It was outshot 12-0, and Mexico dominated time of possession. Aidan Morris also got a yellow for inadvertently stepping on Cesar Huerta’s foot in the 34th. — Nancy Armour
Aidan Morris was given a yellow card in the 34th minute for a challenge on Cesar Huerta. Morris was going for the ball, but as Huerta moved to evade him, Morris caught the top of his foot. The referee quickly showed the yellow, much to the anger of Morris and his teammates. — Nancy Armour
Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez pummeled a free kick into the top right corner of the goal and out of the reach of USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner to give Mexico a lead 22 minutes into Tuesday night’s friendly.
Jiménez’s goal came as a result of a foul by Aidan Morris on Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado.
Jiménez — who plays club soccer for Fulham of the English Premier League — now has 34 goals in 105 appearances. — Jim Reineking
Andres Guardado’s time with El Tri has come to an end.
Guardado, whose 182 appearances with the national team are the most of any Mexico player, was subbed off to loud applause in the 19th minute. The friendly with the U.S. was his last with the Mexican national team.
Guardado, 38, has been a fixture for El Tri since 2005. He played in five World Cups, and was captain of the 2018 squad. — Nancy Armour
U.S. Soccer announced right before kickoff that Miles Robinson will replace Mark McKenzie in the starting lineup. No reason was given for the switch.
Not having Christian Pulisic will never be a good thing for the USMNT. However, his and four other players’ return to their clubs ahead of Tuesday night’s game against Mexico will give other players an opportunity to make an impression on Mauricio Pochettino.
“It’s a little bit sad because these guys (who left), they were here and they wanted to help and play for the team,” Pochettino said Monday. “But at the same time, when one door is closed, another can be opened. For sure it’s a possibility for another player.”
In addition to Pulisic, who returned to AC Milan for “load management,” Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Zack Steffen and Marlon Fossey had minor injuries and went back to their clubs for evaluation and treatment. McKennie is a regular starter, and Pepi scored against Panama after coming in as a second-half-substitute Saturday.
“It’s really important for the (remaining) players because they’re going to have the possibility to play and show their quality,” Pochettino said.
The first to benefit is Malik Tillman, who got the start in Pulisic’s place.
“Malik is an unbelievable talent,” Pochettino said, likening him to Dele Alli, who played for him at Tottenham.
“We need to use our experience to try to challenge him, to try to compete in this way,” Pochettino said. “Because if Malik competed in the way (Dele Alli) used to compete, for sure (he) has the capacity, the talent the body, the power, everything.
“That is not to say something, to take in a bad way. I think he’s an amazing talent,” Pochettino added. “It’s only to help him be better and better. Because for us, it’s not enough. Like Pulisic or different players. We need to help them be better and better. Yes, they are good players. Is it enough? No.” — Nancy Armour
The television broadcast will be available on TNT, with pregame coverage starting at 9:30 p.m. ET. A Spanish-language television broadcast is available on TUDN and Univision.
The match will stream on Max and Peacock, with pregame coverage starting at 9:30 p.m. ET. Streaming is also available on fubo.
The Mexico-USMNT friendly will be held at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico. The stadium is home to Chivas de Guadalajara, a 12-time Liga MX champion and two-time Concacaf Champions League winner.
Mauricio Pochettino’s second starting lineup looks a lot like his first.
The new U.S. men’s national team coach made only one change for Tuesday night’s game against archrival Mexico in Guadalajara, and he didn’t much have a choice. With Christian Pulisic allowed to return to AC Milan for “load management” reasons, Pochettino inserted Malik Tillman into the starting lineup.
The rest of the 11 remained the same, with Matt Turner starting in goal and Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson on the back line. Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, Gianluca Busio and Aidan Morris join Tillman in the midfield, and Josh Sargent starts at forward.
The remaining nine players are all available as substitutes.
In addition to Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Zack Steffen and Marlon Fossey returned to their clubs after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama in Pochettino’s debut. Pulisic and Pepi were the only two who played in that game, with Pulisic recording the assist on Musah’s goal and Pepi scoring deep in stoppage time after coming in as a substitute in the second half. — Nancy Armour
USMNT star Christian Pulisic, along with Weston McKennie, Marlon Fossey, Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen will not be available for the team’s friendly against Mexico.
Pulisic headed back to his club team, AC Milan, with what U.S. Soccer called “load management.” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino had previously expressed concern over Pulisic’s heavy workload.
McKennie — who did not play in Saturday’s win over Panama — along with Fossey, Pepi and Steffen have “minor injuries” and also will return to their respective club teams.
No additional players were added to the roster for the game against Mexico to replace the absent players.
Goalkeepers (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/Wales), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/England)
Defenders (8): Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/Belgium), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/Italy), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/France), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/England), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Auston Trusty (Celtic/Scotland)
Midfielders (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/Italy), Weston McKennie (Juventus/Italy), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/England), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/Italy), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands)
Forwards (6): Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/Italy), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England), Brandon Vazquez (C.F. Monterrey/Mexico), Haji Wright (Coventry City/England), Alex Zendejas (Club América/Mexico)
Goalkeepers (3): Luis Malagón (Club América), Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol/Portugal), Raúl Rangel (Chivas de Guadalajara)
Defenders (8): Edson Álvarez (West Ham United/England), Jesús Angulo (Tigres UANL), Bryan González (Pachuca), Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen/Denmark), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Jesús Orozco (Chivas de Guadalajara), Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul), Johan Vásquez (Genoa/Italy)
Midfielders (8): Sebastián Córdova (Tigres UANL), Andrés Guardado (León), Érik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens/Greece), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders/USA)
Forwards (7): Roberto Alvarado (Chivas de Guadalajara), Germán Berterame (Monterrey), Ozziel Herrera (Tigres UANL), César Huerta (Pumas UNAM), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham/England), Diego Lainez (Tigres UANL), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM), Alexis Vega (Toluca)
Despite playing for the youth U.S. national teams at both the U-20 and U-23 teams — including representing the U.S. at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup — Obed Vargas completed a FIFA-approved one-time switch from the USMNT to play for Mexico at the international level.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been a standout performer for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC, with whom he played a vital role in helping win the 2022 Concacaf Champions League.
Vargas played twice this year for Mexico’s U-23 team and received his first call up to the senior national team for this international window and could make his El Tri debut against the rival U.S.
“I really felt like I completed my career,” Vargas said last week. “Just getting the call-up and knowing that I’m going to be there. It just felt like I made it.”
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Vargas is the first Alaskan to play for a men’s senior national soccer team.
Vargas has made 52 starts and 65 appearances with the Sounders since making his MLS debut in 2021. When he made his Sounders debut, Vargas was 15 years and 351 days old and was the third-youngest player in MLS history behind Freddy Adu and Alphonso Davies. He has since been surpassed by several other players. — Jim Reineking
In September, Mauricio Pochettino was named the new coach for the U.S. men’s national soccer team, marking a major shift for the program.
It’s not just that Pochettino, 52, is a new voice with a different style of play from the team’s previous manager Gregg Berhalter. It’s that the Argentine — who has coached multiple Premier League clubs, and has had success in the Champions League — has the kind of proven track record at the top of the global game that U.S. Soccer has never been able to access for the USMNT. — Jason Anderson
Jan. 20 (friendly) — Slovenia 1, United States 0March 21 (Nations League semifinal) — United States 3, Jamaica 1March 24 (Nations League final) — United States 2, Mexico 0June 8 (friendly) — Colombia 5, United States 1June 12 (friendly) — United States 1, Brazil 1June 23 (Copa America) — United States 2, Bolivia 0June 27 (Copa America) — Panama 2, United States 1July 1 (Copa America) — Uruguay 1, United States 0Sept. 7 (friendly) — Canada 2, United States 1Sept. 10 (friendly) — United States 1, New Zealand 1Oct. 12 (friendly) —United States 2, Panama 0Oct. 15 (friendly) — Mexico 2, United States 0Nov. 14 or 15 (Nations League quarterfinal, Leg 1) — United States vs. TBDNov. 18 (Nations League quarterfinal, Leg 2) — United States vs. TBD
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