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Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as US men's national team coach has been inconsistent, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Poor results in recent friendlies against top teams fueled anxieties despite a promising Gold Cup run. A Gold Cup final victory against Mexico would be crucial for building team confidence and demonstrating progress. Pochettino's challenge involves overcoming a lack of squad consistency, with 55 players used in 10 months, hindering momentum and team unity. The USMNT has yet to beat a top-30 FIFA-ranked team under his leadership.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.