A new captain for the US national soccer team: Pochettino calls for patience

After an unexpected setback against Mexico with a 0-2 defeat in a friendly match, the new coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, Mauricio Pochettino, is calling for patience from fans and officials. The former Chelsea coach, who recently took over the national team, achieved a 2-0 home victory against Panama in his first match, but the performance in Mexico revealed weaknesses in the team's composition. The absence of key players like Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, and Weston McKennie, who returned to their clubs after their match against Panama, added to Pochettino’s challenge. Despite the disappointment, the Argentinian expressed gratitude for the commitment and professionalism of the players present and emphasized the importance of further friendly matches to better understand the team and its strengths. With time left until the joint hosting of the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, Pochettino aims to shape the team. His goal remains to extensively evaluate the players and their potential in upcoming encounters to be optimally prepared to compete on home soil.