The U.S. men’s national team got a much-needed win with a 2-0 victory over a rotated Japan side on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.
The triumph marked head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 10th win in normal time from 18 games with the USMNT, and also came on the eve of his first year in charge, which has seen the Stars and Stripes drop to its lowest point in the 21st century, according to some metrics.
When the U.S. Soccer Federation reached out to hire a “big name” coach, the goal was to bring in an experienced leader who could push the squad to be at its best when it opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil in Los Angeles on June 12.
So far, that hasn’t gone to plan.
With players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, among others, turning out for some of the world’s biggest clubs and in the sport’s most prominent leagues, it was a worthwhile––and needed––investment.
Fast forward a year, and things seem less sure than ever. The U.S. crashed out of the Concacaf Nations League, fell short of winning the Concacaf Gold Cup, and saw multiple first-choice players opt out of representing the United States.
Pochettino concluded his first year in charge on a high with the victory over Japan, but also boasts a worrying record of six losses in eight matches against nations ranked inside FIFA’s top 30.
The World Cup is nine months away. The USMNT don’t appear ready to go—and it’s come as a product of several missteps in the first year under the Argentine head coach.
Let’s get into it.
