New USMNT Manager Mauricio Pochettino Praises Christian Pulisic
The USA Men’s soccer “Golden Generation” has, frankly, been underwhelming so far. In response, the USMNT sought out a high-profile coach to help Christian Pulisic and his teammates realize their potential, hiring Mauricio Pochettino, former manager of Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea.
Pochettino is preparing to coach his first game with the USMNT this Saturday against Panama in Austin. Ahead of the match, he had high praise for Christian Pulisic.
Having managed some of the best attackers of this generation, Pochettino brings a wealth of experience. Harry Kane developed into one of the world’s top strikers during Pochettino’s time at Tottenham from 2014-2019. At PSG, he helped Kylian Mbappé evolve into a complete attacking force, with Mbappé now considered one of the most feared players globally. Other stars, including Son Heung-min and Neymar, have also flourished under Pochettino’s guidance, making him a coach well-versed in handling elite talent.
Since his national team debut in 2016, Christian Pulisic has been the face of the USMNT. Despite a club career marked by inconsistency in playing time, the former Dortmund and Chelsea player seems to be finding his form with AC Milan, scoring 17 goals in 43 matches over the past year.
Pulisic must play a pivotal role for the USMNT if they are to make a deep run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, primarily hosted by the USA. He has scored 31 goals in 73 matches for the USMNT, including the crucial goal that sent the team to the knockout round against Iran in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, as captain, Pulisic needs to become a true talisman in terms of productivity.
Fortunately, Mauricio Pochettino believes Pulisic has that potential.
Now, it’s up to Christian Pulisic to consistently prove it.
