“It’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Mauricio Pochettino said last year, about what motivated him the most to agree to accept the head coach role of the USMNT. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, that “journey” could be nearing a full-circle moment, not only for the seasoned coach but also for his players. However, Poch’s tenure as the Team USA boss hasn’t been without its fair share of controversies. Following the team’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador, the coach seemed to vent his frustration with a subtle jibe.

In his Instagram story from October 11, Pochettino made a couple of statements that might point to a greater power at play behind the USMNT’s wobbly form. “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast,” wrote the former Chelsea manager in his IG update. He wasn’t done. ““Means” that no matter how great your business strategy is, if your Tem Culture isn’t aligned or if its toxic, your strategy will fail,” Pochettino added.

In his social media update, Pochettino went on about how it’s the team culture that instills a winning mentality in the team. “Culture is the collective behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and values that drive a team,” the storied coach wrote. The coach’s words would make it clear that he believes his efforts toward preparing the USMNT for the World Cup next year are being jeopardized by things beyond his control. So, what is making him vent even after Tim Ream & Co. produced one of the best performances of their Mauricio Pochettino era?

Ever since the Argentinian coach set shop in the US, issues about a communication void between the management and the players kept bugging fans and critics alike. With the roster and the final line-up seemingly in perpetual mystery even hours before a match, the anger often spilled forth. However, Pochettino maintained that the players only needed to prepare themselves to be called to action at a moment’s notice and needn’t bother themselves with what goes on behind the curtains.

“In our philosophy, players don’t need to know. If a player needs to know, it’s because they don’t really feel the sport in the way that I feel it. Because you really know when you play why you play; and when you don’t play, you also deep down know why,” Pochettino said on the matter. His words didn’t help to calm things down. Instead, last month, fans were extra livid seeing the roster for the match against Japan, following a 2-0 defeat to South Korea.

Luckily, the USMNT held on against Japan and even managed to secure a 2-0 win, thanks to two goals by Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun. That win gave Pochettino the confidence to stand firm by his team during the troubled times. “I prefer that the people criticize me, but don’t touch the player. I hope in the future, criticize me, criticize me, but let the player play free, go and perform,” he urged.

Tonight, Pochettino was assured that his support for the players was greatly appreciated and reciprocated.

Mauricio Pochettino’s squad is slowly finding its feet, but the coach isn’t changing tactics

Ecuador took to the Q2 Stadium on an 11-game undefeated streak, the longest the South American nation has gone without losing a match. Considering how the USMNT looked like one of the worst US rosters in the 21st century after poor performances at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and its September games, not many had hoped them to hold the fort against Ecuador. And yet, Pochettino’s boys showed incredible resilience and pulled off a draw at home tonight. “The coach told us to keep calm. He has a strong identity in the way he wants us to go about things. When you’re a top European coach, you’re not gonna panic from losing one game. His calmness definitely comes into the team,” Balogun, the star of today’s game, said after the draw.

As Pochettino completes his first anniversary with the USMNT, the performance put up by the team today would certainly give Pochettino some happiness. With the World Cup ot far away, the confidence boost could work wonders. And yet, the coach maintains that players shouldn’t be feeling complacent about their spots being secured for the final roster for the big rumble next year.

“I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster on the World Cup 2026. I don’t believe before it was the same way or not and today, I promise all the guys feel that they need to fight to be there and that is priceless because all feel that need to be invited,” Pochettino reminded everyone before the Ecuador match. Not the kind of inspiration you’d be hoping to receive before a big match!

But then again, it wasn’t following the trends that made the 53-year-old such a revered coach across the globe.