Once more, Mauricio Pochettino found himself in tears. The 53-year-old Argentine openly expresses his emotions, a trait evident to fans of the U.S. men’s national soccer team after a heartbreaking loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final this past July. During that match, he was visibly affected as he spoke to his players.
Recently, however, this display of emotion was more private, occurring last month in Tampa following a heated exchange with reporters—myself included—about the U.S. team’s unexpected success against Uruguay after securing a convincing 5-1 victory.
The meaningful moment arose when Scott Goodwin, a significant financial supporter for U.S. Soccer who contributed to Pochettino’s reported $6 million salary, addressed him on the sidelines.
This incident reminded Goodwin of the legendary ‘Miracle’ story in American sports, famously depicted in a Disney film. The 2004 movie recounts how the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team defeated the dominant Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics, forming one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Like the coach Herb Brooks, who led that team with strict discipline and an expectation of total dedication, Pochettino embodies similar qualities, exhibiting demanding traits on the practice field and showing a ruthless side as necessary.
In the film, Brooks was skillfully played by Kurt Russell, capturing the iconic moments that inspire determination.
Pochettino’s charisma and approach in social situations contrast with his training methodology—he is equally as fierce and uncompromising as Brooks when it comes to the training ground.
He commented, “These are the players today. They aren’t categorized as A or B players,” a reference echoed from the film, further solidifying the links between his coaching style and the enduring legacy of ‘Miracle.’ Pochettino’s emotional response accentuates the idea that he was motivated by this history, exemplified in his quote, “I’m not searching for the best players. I desire the right players.”
The journey began when he took over from Gregg Berhalter almost 15 months ago. Pochettino’s mission was to reshape a team that had recently suffered through the disappointing 2024 Copa América, marking the first time a host team failed to progress past the opening stage in tournament history.
2026 FIFA World Cup preparations required a skilled manager capable of pushing complacent veterans to unite for a collective purpose—this was an evident necessity as the prestigious event approaches.
Having successfully navigated the distinct personalities of soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé throughout his 15-year European coaching career, Pochettino is determined not to allow even the most celebrated U.S. players to think they are above team needs. He welcomed eager newcomers who would rise to the challenge.
Following losses to Panama and Canada earlier this year, the U.S. ended on a triumphant note, securing five victories in their concluding matches—each against teams headed to next summer’s World Cup. Pochettino’s emphasis has begun to resonate, as he reiterated his unwavering goal after a recent World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.: to win the entire tournament.
Pochettino’s confidence may seem bold compared to former U.S. coaches like Jürgen Klinsmann or Bruce Arena, who openly dismissed chances of extraordinary success. Yet, he and his staff refuse to impose limits on potential accomplishments. Presently, Vegas places the U.S. at roughly 80-1 odds of lifting the gold trophy a year from now.
Such monumental chances are not unprecedented; teams such as Leicester City defied staggering odds to capture the title just two seasons ago. Pochettino emphasizes that to achieve the seemingly impossible, every player must believe in their potential, stating, “Without unity and energy among the 26 players, we could win a single game—but winning a tournament like the World Cup is impossible.”
Understanding this fundamental concept is vital in selecting a collective squad focused on teamwork, rather than individual accolades. This sentiment resonates throughout his messaging.
Before the World Cup draw at U.S. Soccer’s Beyond the 90 Summit in New York City, Pochettino acknowledged the emotional weight of the ‘Miracle’ narrative on his coaching philosophy, expressing his admiration for the film.
“My connection to this movie is profound,” he shared, highlighting how a cohesive group achieved greatness by wholeheartedly believing in a shared ideal. His experience reinforces his credentials to adapt to American sports culture, a drive he anticipated achieving by invoking the deep connection sports have with American identity.
Pochettino embraces this cultural ethos, aiming to leave a legacy that extends beyond his tenure—a chance to effect significant change with an underdog team poised for extraordinary success at the world’s largest soccer event.
In pursuit of this goal, he even immersed himself in local culture, attending a New York Rangers hockey game to forge further connections to Herb Brooks’ legacy.
“We are a nation capable of remarkable achievements,” Pochettino stated during a recent Pat McAfee Show interview, underscoring America’s triumphs and the limitless possibilities for U.S. soccer: “Is it not possible that we can achieve great things in this sport, too?”
Pochettino audaciously poses this query as he prepares the U.S. team for their potential to relive history and create new legends next summer. ‘Why not us?’
