Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the new US Men’s National Team head coach in the biggest managerial appointment of the federation’s history. US Soccer has still to officially confirm the hire, but widespread reporting earlier this month claimed the Argentine has agreed to take over the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
This is an exciting appointment that will satisfy those supporters who demanded an ambitious hire and the firing of Gregg Berhalter. Pochettino is experienced at the elite level and will help to the best out of the USMNT pool. Here are five players who could thrive under his stewardship.
Folarin Balogun
There was much excitement when Berhalter persuaded Folarin Balogun to play for the USA last year. Back then, the Brooklyn-born striker who was also eligible to play for England and Nigeria was enjoying a successful season at Reims, scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games. He was seen as a major upgrade at number nine for the USMNT.
Since then, though, Balogun’s career has stalled. He is now down the pecking order at Monaco and hasn’t always produced his best form for the USA either. Pochettino, though, has a strong track record of getting the best out of centre forwards – look at Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur and Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea. Balogun could be next.
Weston McKennie
Talent has never been an issue for Weston McKennie. However, it hasn’t always been easy to define him in terms of his position on the pitch. Some have used McKennie higher up the pitch as something of a number 10. Others have utilised him deeper. Last season, Max Allegri even played him as a wing back for Juventus.
Now 25, McKennie finds himself at a career crossroads. At club level, he is expected to sign a new contract at stay at Juventus, but some argue the USMNT have progressed beyond their need for McKennie in the midfield unit. This is where Pochettino’s strong eye for central operators could help him.
Yunus Musah
During his time at Spurs, Pochettino turned Mousa Dembele into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League. This could be good news for Yunus Musah who has the skill set to be a similar sort of operator for the USMNT now that Pochettino is on the brink of being appointed head coach.
Musah has had to fight for his place in the USMNT midfield unit since the 2022 World Cup, but is now making progress again at club level for AC Milan. After a transitional season last term, the 21-year-old is expected to receive more game time this season and that could lead to a more important role with the national team.
Kevin Paredes
At many of his previous clubs, Pochettino has shown a willingness to embolden young players. This means he could look to the USMNT’s next generation in order to find fresh talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup and Kevin Paredes could be at the front of the line after a relatively impressive Paris Olympics.
There is a place up for grabs on the right side of the USMNT forward line and this is where Paredes could be given an opportunity to demonstrate his quality under Pochettino. This could happen as soon as next month when the USA will take on Canada and New Zealand in two friendly matches.
Antonee Robinson
Pochettino traditionally places a big emphasis on the full back positions. At Spurs, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker both thrived under the Argentine while Malo Gusto benefited from playing under Pochettino at Chelsea last season. This could be good news for the USMNT’s full backs with Antonee Robinson the pick of the bunch.
Last season was the best of Robinson’s career as he shone for Fulham in the Premier League. He has also made himself one of the first names on the team sheet for the USMNT over the last few years with his forward mobility and crossing ability key to the attack. The 27-year-old will enjoy working with Pochettino.
