USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino reflects on World Cup and looks forward to future originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Mauricio Pochettino has quickly embraced American culture.
He loves country music. He loves horses and cows and a rural lifestyle. And, after leading theU.S. men's national teamin the World Cup this summer, he loves the future ofAmerican soccer.
"I love every part of the American culture," Pochettino told NBC in an interview in New York City. "I am from Argentina, and I think we are really similar. The passion, the energy, the love for every single part of the culture. I think we share a lot of things."
His affection was obvious at the World Cup this summer, when Pochettino wasspotted singing alongto "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with fans. It's not an act, either — he's doing it because he loves it.
Standing on a balcony at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Pochettino noticed that a concert was starting down below at the TODAY Plaza. The musical act that day? Country star Kenny Chesney . Pochettino stood in admiration, nodding along to the tunes for several minutes before moving on to his next obligation.
So, it comes as no surprise that Pochettinore-signed with the USMNT for another four years this summer. The new contract will keep him in charge of the American team through the 2030 World Cup, giving Pochettino and his staff years of runway to build up the program.
"Plenty of things (went into the decision to re-sign)," Pochettino explained. "First of all, because we feel the warm welcome, the connection with the people, the fans. But with the federation, that was important, too. And the players, they make us feel really excited to commit again for another four years.
"I see the potential of the young players, the potential of this country. This country is so powerful, in this sport (it) can be one of the best in the future. The only thing is, we need to go step by step. We need to keep believing, we need to do the right things to build the principles for soccer to evolve every day and moving forward."
Some of that potential was shown off this summer, with the USMNT scoring 11 goals — a World Cup record for the country. Pochettino broke the record for all-time wins for a U.S. manager at the World Cup with three victories, and the Americans won their group for the first time since 2010.
The end result wasn't what the squad expected, though. The run concludedin the round of 16for the second straight World Cup, and fourth time in the last five World Cups overall. For all the excitement of a tournament on home soil, the USMNT was again left wanting more.
"Soccer is a process to learn," Pochettino said. "In every single moment, we need to be open and aware to receive all the information, and then process the information and learn. It's true that it was an unbelievable run, it's true that we finished in a way that we didn't want to finish.
"Different circumstances happened that could create that situation, but that's (something we can) learn from for the future — to make better decisions, to maybe make different decisions. Yes, I think that was a great experience to translate into the future, the process that we've now set."
This year's tournament was perhaps more notable than ever for the U.S. due to the fact that it was hosting. The nation hadn't held World Cup games since 1994, which meant a new generation of fans was introduced to the game this summer.
The USMNT played games in Los Angeles, Seattle and Santa Clara, California, with at least 65,000 fans in the stadium for all five games. While they were on the pitch, Pochettino said he and the players were truly elevated by the raucous atmospheres.
"Every single memory will be kept in my heart and my mind," he said. "It was an unbelievable journey together. I think we evolved as a team, but also we evolved into loving the game that is soccer. We created a very good bond between the players, the team, all the staff and the fans. That was really important for everyone to feel that identity. To go to the stadium, in every single place that we were in different cities, it was amazing support from the fans.
"That is the most important (thing) in soccer, to have the support of your fans. We really felt that, and we are so grateful. We need to continue evolving together, and trying to earn all the goals that we have ahead."
With the World Cup now in the rearview, it's time for the USMNT tostart looking ahead. They havefour friendlies scheduledfor this fall, beginning with Peru on Sept. 26 and wrapping up with Canada on Oct. 6. After that, the squad will play in the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal on Nov. 14 and 17.
Pochettino and his staff, who have experience coaching famed European clubs like Tottenham Hotspur , Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea , are focused on developing the U.S. into an elite program — and that starts years before the next World Cup.
"We are a coaching staff that are really proof that we can help players to achieve their real talent and real level (of potential)," Pochettino said. "In a long period with different clubs, it was an amazing thing for us and a great achievement to see young players with enormous potential to perform (well). This is what we want to provide to the (U.S.) federation, too — our expertise, our advisors, working together to make our own players better and to educate in a professional way how we really feel. … It's going to be tough, but we know what we need to do."
Before the 2030 World Cup, the U.S. will also compete in the2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That won't be with the usual squad, though, as Olympic competition only permits players who are 23 years old and younger.
Pochettino will not coach the Olympic squad, instead handing that responsibility off toU.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame member Steve Cherundolo. Still, the national team coaches will play a key role in choosing the roster and developing the young talent — including players who could be critical two summers later in the World Cup.
"I think it's an amazing opportunity for us to help the federation with the under-23," Pochettino said. "(We will) support the idea of being very competitive and to try to win and to create the experience for the young players to arrive and be very competitive in two years. We are very focused.
"The federation wants to make it clear that we are going to arrive with (top) condition and to compete at our best. We are going to put all our knowledge and our expertise in that process to help the under-23 to arrive in the best condition."
