After a poor performance in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League finals, Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT), admitted that the pressure on the team is rising rapidly. With the 2025 Gold Cup approaching and the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, the performance of the US men's national team has attracted much attention.

"We need the fans to support us, and they will support us," Pochettino said in an interview aired on TNT ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match against China. "But at the same time, we need to create something special."

"Because in a year, the World Cup will be held in the United States. I think the fans also need to be prepared and ask themselves: What changes can they bring to this team? How can they help the team achieve its goals?"

Although the U.S. men's national team's tactical play has become more mature in recent years, Pochettino stressed that what the team needs most at the moment is "solid results."

"We are not here to play beautiful football or to please anyone, we are here to win. If you can't win, then you have to bear the pressure from the fans and the media, there is no doubt about that."

Although he has been coaching for less than a year, Pochettino has been in the spotlight for only finishing fourth in the CONCACAF Nations League.

However, the current Gold Cup will provide Pochettino with an opportunity to rekindle hope. Although the main players Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are absent due to injuries, the return of Folarin Balogun will bring fresh blood. This is also the first time Pochettino has coached this striker. At the same time, young players such as Diego Luna are also expected to have a lot of success.

The United States has not won the Gold Cup since 2021 and currently has a total of 7 Gold Cup trophies, second only to Mexico, which has won 9 times.

The next warm-up match for the U.S. men's national team will be held next Saturday, at home against Türkiye. This will be an important window for Pochettino and the team to adjust their status and run in the lineup.