# A Legacy of Progress and Unfinished Business
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT tenure raised expectations, sharpened the team’s identity and helped bring younger players into the senior setup. Yet his departure also leaves a clear sense of unfinished business: the United States did not win a Concacaf trophy, and its World Cup run ended in the round of 16—the same stage it reached in 2022.
Pochettino is set to oversee his final two matches against Haiti. His record includes 1.91 points per game, the third-highest average among USMNT managers who have coached more than 10 matches. But results alone cannot settle the question of his impact. His legacy will also depend on whether the standards and confidence he encouraged remain part of the team after he leaves.
## What Pochettino Changed for the USMNT
Players have pointed to Pochettino’s intensity in training and his demand for a more competitive mindset. He encouraged the team to approach every camp and match with the expectation of winning, including friendlies that might previously have been treated as lower-stakes fixtures.
Forward Folarin Balogun said Pochettino raised the standard and changed how players thought about their responsibilities. Balogun also stressed that maintaining that level is now up to the squad, not just its former coach.
That ownership could prove to be one of Pochettino’s most lasting contributions. A team that presses with conviction, competes consistently and expects to win can carry those habits into a new coaching era—if the players continue to uphold them.
## The Trophies That Remained Out of Reach
Despite the progress, Pochettino became the first permanent USMNT manager since Steve Sampson not to win a Concacaf title. The United States fell short in both the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup, leaving a significant gap between improved standards and the results the program ultimately wants.
The team’s World Cup exit also leaves questions about how it will perform against the world’s strongest opponents. Reaching the round of 16 matched the United States’ finish in 2022, but did not deliver the deeper tournament run many hoped for.
Those results make Pochettino’s tenure difficult to describe as a complete success. He helped shape a more ambitious team, but the lack of silverware and a breakthrough on the world stage will remain central to how his time is judged.
## A Stronger Foundation for the Next USMNT Coach
Pochettino is not the only reason the USMNT may be in a stronger position than when he arrived. U.S. Soccer’s investment in facilities and youth development, along with the growth of pathways such as MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro, has helped create a deeper base of emerging talent.
A shared national training environment can also bring youth and senior players closer together. That connection matters as the program looks ahead to future tournaments, including the 2028 Olympics, and works to make progress sustainable beyond any one coaching appointment.
U.S. Soccer is also discussing the appointment of a director of soccer to help shape a wider vision for the men’s and women’s programs. The next USMNT coach will inherit a team with experienced players, a promising young pool and higher expectations.
## Why the USMNT Job Remains Attractive
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson has described the national team position as one of the world’s great coaching jobs, pointing to the mix of experienced players and emerging talent. The United States’ ambition to compete for major tournaments, including the World Cup, is part of the appeal.
The challenge for the federation is to build on that foundation with the right leadership and a clear long-term plan. Hiring a high-profile coach can raise the team’s profile, but a sustainable system should continue to develop players and compete even when the manager changes.
## Carrying the Standard Forward
Pochettino leaves behind a team that believes it can play with greater intensity and confidence. Whether that becomes a lasting shift depends on the players and the next coaching staff.
His USMNT tenure will be remembered as a period of meaningful progress that did not produce the defining achievements the program wanted. The next chapter is an opportunity to turn higher standards, stronger development pathways and increased ambition into consistent results—and, eventually, the trophies that remained out of reach during Pochettino’s time.