Just because the next game for the U.S. Men’s National Team is still more than a month away doesn’t mean that the program is idle.

It’s quite the opposite, in fact. After a whirlwind first few months in charge for coach Mauricio Pochettino — the former manager of Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham Hotspur — he and his staff have been busy scouting players ahead of the crucial March 20 Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama in Los Angeles.

England, Germany on the itinerary this month

Two weeks ago, Pochettino’s top assistants visited various clubs in England. Jesús Perez, his chief deputy, met players from the Premier League and gathered insights from their managers.

Traveling the world to keep tabs on players is routine for national team coaches but heightened scouting has now become crucial as the 2026 World Cup looms on the horizon.

The best club soccer remains in Europe, where most USMNT regulars play. Tim Weah noted in November, “You can see the progress in the national team; pretty much everyone is playing in Europe.”

Pochettino’s network and relationships in Europe are invaluable as the USMNT prepares for the competitive challenges ahead.