Bruce Arena, a member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and the coach with the highest winning rate in MLS history, recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with the U.S. Soccer Association's decision on the national team coach selection and the team's recent performance on the field in an interview with the "Unfiltered Soccer" podcast. He believes that the coaching style of the national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is out of touch with the actual needs of international competitions.

In the recent CONCACAF Nations League, the U.S. men's soccer team lost to Panama and Canada in the semifinals and third place match respectively. After the U.S. Soccer Association was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa America last year, it fired the original coach Greg Berhalter and hired former Chelsea coach Pochettino instead. This appointment has now caused a lot of controversy.

Arena said bluntly on the show: "If you look at the national teams in the world, most of the head coaches are local coaches. International competitions and club competitions are completely different things. If you don't understand the culture, environment and players of a country, it will be difficult for you to be competent as the head coach of a national team."

He emphasized: "I believe Pochettino is an excellent coach, but the national team does not need a club-style coaching model. You have to understand the players you coach, and we lack this awareness now. If it is a local coach, he will understand the culture and sense of responsibility of the national team, which is especially important in the United States. We are a very special country."

Arena was also shocked by the team's poor performance in the CONCACAF Nations League and reminded the team that with less than two years to go before the 2026 World Cup, it must find the right direction as soon as possible: "You asked me if we lack that national pride? After watching these two games, I was really shocked. We couldn't beat Panama and Canada. This shouldn't happen."

"I don't mean to belittle the team, I really hope they do well in the World Cup. But time is running out and they have to adjust immediately."

The U.S. men's national team will participate in the Gold Cup this summer. Before that, they will face Türkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and 10 respectively to prepare for the Gold Cup and the 2026 World Cup on home soil.