Mauricio Pochettino is calling for calm — but U.S. Soccer fans are losing theirs.
Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Canada in the third-place match of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League on Sunday, the U.S. men’s national team manager attempted to reassure supporters that there is still time to correct course ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The loss capped off a disastrous tournament for the U.S., who also fell 1-0 to Panama in the semifinals. For a team that had won all previous editions of the Nations League, this fourth-place finish was an unfamiliar and sobering result.
“We need to be patient,” Pochettino said during his post-match press conference at SoFi Stadium. “There are many examples of teams who struggled before a World Cup and still found their form at the right time.”
“Don’t Be Pessimistic”: Pochettino
“Bring back Pochettino” pic.twitter.com/r5m70ZHv8s
— 🦈 (@cfcyusaf) March 24, 2025
Pochettino, who took over as USMNT manager in September 2024 on a $6 million-per-year contract, defended his side’s long-term potential, even as frustration grows among fans.
“It’s always painful when you lose, but we need to accept it,” he said. “I don’t want people to feel pessimistic. We have good players, and we will find a way to perform better. The main objective is the World Cup.”
Still, Sunday’s performance did little to inspire confidence. The U.S. failed to register a shot in the first 30 minutes and never looked fully engaged, despite six changes to the starting lineup — including the introduction of Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang, who combined for the lone American goal.
After Canada opened the scoring through Tani Oluwaseyi and later won it with Jonathan David’s second-half strike, boos and criticism rained down — both in the stadium and online.
Criticism mounts over salary, performance
Per ESPN, Mauricio Pochettino signed a two-year contract and will receive $6 million a year.
— Anthony (@AnthonyKyaw) September 11, 2024
He’s the highest-paid USMNT coach ever. Gregg Berhalter earned $2.3 million in 2022 including World Cup bonuses.
The salary is supported significantly by two hedge fund billionaires.💰 pic.twitter.com/9I3AzSI6fq
Pochettino’s hefty salary has become a focal point of criticism. Many fans have begun to question whether the former PSG and Tottenham coach is the right man to lead the U.S. into its home World Cup.
On social media, supporters were blunt:
“Poch couldn’t win a Champions League with Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé. Sack him immediately,” wrote one user.
“There’s no sign that he’s better than Berhalter,” added another.
“A couple more games like this at the Gold Cup, and it’ll be DEFCON 6 for U.S. Soccer,” said a third.
When asked directly about the backlash, Pochettino responded calmly:
“Negativity? Where is the negativity?” he said. “Of course we are all disappointed. But I won’t allow the group to feel pessimistic.”
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium — now just 15 months away — looms large for this U.S. team. Pochettino acknowledged that if results don’t improve soon, concern will be justified.
“If in one year we’re still in this position,” he said, “then yes, Houston, we have a problem. S.O.S.”
“But I prefer that this happened now, not next year,” he added. “We still have time to build something better.”
Team captain Christian Pulisic echoed similar thoughts, admitting the team must regroup quickly:
“We’re not at our best right now. Some things need to change. All we can do is go back to our clubs, set an example, and come back ready to improve.”
With the Gold Cup on the horizon this summer, Pochettino’s margin for error is shrinking — and U.S. Soccer’s patience may be too.
