Active Preparations for the USMNT
Just because the next game for the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) is more than a month away doesn’t mean the program is idle. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. After a whirlwind first few months in charge, coach Mauricio Pochettino, the former Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham Hotspur manager, and his staff have been busy scouting players ahead of the crucial March 20 Concacaf Nations League semifinal versus Panama in Los Angeles. Pochettino, who was hired in September, debuted in October and oversaw his first competitive games in November, has already organized a two-week-long training camp for MLS players that concluded with a pair of exhibition wins.
Extensive Scouting Efforts
Two weeks ago, Pochettino’s top assistants fanned out across England. Jesús Perez, Pochettino’s chief deputy, visited Premier Leaguers Tyler Adams at Bournemouth, Antonee Robinson at Fulham, and Crystal Palace duo Chris Richards and Matt Turner. Miguel D’Agostino watched matches involving second-tier Coventry City (Haji Wright), Middlesbrough (Aidan Morris), and Leeds United (Brenden Aaronson) and met with all three players at their respective clubs’ training facilities. On February 6, goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez took in Turner’s session with Crystal Palace. The three men briefed Pochettino in London later that night before turning their attention to Germany, the next country on the list this month. This level of scouting is routine for national team coaches, but the extended break between the end of January’s camp and the March games has allowed Pochettino & Co. to ramp up their efforts.
Importance of the Concacaf Nations League
The Concacaf Nations League semifinal is a significant stepping stone for the USMNT. The winner advances to the championship tilt, and the loser faces the third-place playoff against either 2026 co-hosts Canada or Mexico. This tournament represents the last chance for the full-strength USMNT to engage in competitive games before the 2026 World Cup, which is fast approaching. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, both locks in Pochettino’s first-choice starting lineup, are expected to miss this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup due to Juventus’s participation in FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup. Therefore, seeing as many players as possible as often as possible will be paramount over the next 16 months.
Collaboration with European Clubs
The best club soccer is still in Europe, and that’s where most top Americans play. "You can see the progress in the national team," Tim Weah said in November. "Pretty much everyone’s playing in Europe." For U.S. Soccer, having good working relationships with these European clubs is essential. This collaboration has taken a huge leap forward since 2019, Gregg Berhalter’s first full year as head coach. Under Berhalter and then U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart, the USMNT program began working more closely with European clubs, not just on the coaching side but also on the medical front and in media. The medical staffs of both the USMNT and these clubs have shared information, and media teams have joined forces to create content for broadcasters, sponsors, and each other.
Strengthening Existing Relationships
Bob Bradley’s trips to Europe were legendary for the number of clubs and players he saw. Other former U.S. coaches, like Bruce Arena and Jürgen Klinsmann, also traveled extensively. However, the collaboration has become more robust in recent years. Some European clubs, like Fulham, have employed members of the USMNT for decades. These long-established relationships have led to innovative collaborations. For example, Cottagers staffers, along with their NBC and USSF counterparts, planned and executed last month’s surprise, on-air announcement that Robinson had been voted U.S. Soccer’s male player of 2024. Newer partnerships have also blossomed, particularly with AC Milan, which recently helped arrange an on-camera Super Bowl prediction from Christian Pulisic for U.S. soccer’s social media channels in the lead-up to the big game.
Looking Forward to 2026
The new regime under Pochettino is even more well-connected at the top level. Pochettino arrived in the U.S. with a reputation as one of Europe’s most respected coaches, having spent his entire 15-year managerial career in England, France, and Spain. His top assistants, Jesús Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, and Toni Jiménez, have been with him from the beginning or close to it. These connections can only help the Americans in the lead up to March and to the 2026 World Cup. "From the moment that we were in New York for the announcement of our joining the USA men’s national team, we started working on many, many things," Pochettino said in October after naming his maiden squad. "Now, we are going to be more in contact, and we plan to visit them—players with potential, we are going to try to create these links and relationships. I’m going to follow them, try to push and to motivate… there is going to be the opportunity if they perform well."
