The USMNT had just dragged itself through a forgettable Nations League, the kind of stretch that leaves fans sighing and pundits circling. Confidence? Fragile. Identity? Still missing. And yet, somewhere underneath all that frustration, a bit of energy was starting to hum again. Because the biggest stage awaits, “the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Suddenly, there’s a feeling that maybe, just maybe, they’re starting to turn a corner. Even former captain and CBS reporter Clint Dempsey, never one to sugarcoat things, said something that made fans sit up and think again.

The reason behind that renewed buzz? A certain Argentine named Mauricio Pochettino. Ever since Pochettino took over last year, you can sense the shift — a little more danger. It started to show in Austin on October 10, when the U.S. drew Ecuador 1-1 in what was only meant to be a friendly. It didn’t feel like one. This was a team that was experimenting. The four-back setup was not used, but the 3-4-2-1 setting was used. For a country that hasn’t lined up with three center-backs at a World Cup in 24 years, that’s a big deal. And the cool part? It’s actually working. Two straight games unbeaten against Top 25 nations. Enough to catch Clint Dempsey’s eye.

Now, Dempsey isn’t exactly the type to hand out compliments. But when the USMNT shared a podcast clip this weekend on X, fans perked up. “I’m starting to see what’s being built,” he said. “The depth we have, the danger we can create, and the confidence our players are gaining. I’m starting to feel more optimistic, man. I’m starting to see this team look more dangerous. For me, a big thing is what I see in the attack, and that’s moving in the right direction.” Coming from Dempsey, that’s not fluff, that’s belief. And you can see why he’s buying in after that Ecuador game.

Ecuador came first, and Enner Valencia, ice-cold as ever, scored in the 24th minute. But what followed spoke the truth of the matter. The Americans didn’t fold. They remained calm, investigating, pushing, waiting to have their way.  It eventually arrived in the 71st when Malik Tillman and Tim Weah surged down the right and crossed it to Folarin Balogun, who scored it with the composure of a striker who no longer has any doubts about himself.  The response felt… different. The type of we’re not done here yet energy this good teams bring.

And you would see the fingerprints of Pochettino everywhere on it. The USMNT worked up higher, played cleaner and rhythmically rather than panicking.  Weah and Tillman thinned Ecuador, and Balogun was on point. And when Christian Pulisic went on, the match sparked up with the mayhem and electricity that he carries with him. This was the first U.S attack in months that appeared to be capable of actually frightening people. But what was it that he changed and how?

Strategy placing the USMNT back on the front foot

The USMNT has been known to use the same formula over the decades: two centerbacks and outside backs. But, in a way, Mauricio Pochettino is more adventurous.  This has allowed him to implement a dynamic style with three center-backs and wingbacks being free to join the charge, which has brought about the best of important players like Tim Weah and Christian Pulisic. In the friendly with Ecuador, Weah moved to a right-handed position that he has perfected at Marseille and Juventus, offering breadth, speed, and unpredictability.  At the same time, Max Arfsten kept the left side in defense. And the depth and flexibility were reinforced by the substitutes, such as Alex Freeman.

The structure also provides the freedom to the midfielders to roam, and the attack consisted of Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman, who were both allowed to create, press high, and connect the play. Folarin Balogun, now making his spot as the starting striker, thrived in this setup, scoring the equalizer against Ecuador against defenders like Willian Pacho. Even with key absences: Antonee Robinson, Alex Zendejas, Tyler Adams, and Sergiño Dest, the team competed with intensity against a side that finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying. But Competition is rising at a rapid pace within the camp of Pochettino, particularly in the midfield.

Because there are only two central positions in this new constitution, Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann, and Cristian Roldan are competing to remain in the fray. Meanwhile, the high placement of McKennie allows Pochettino greater creative balance further ahead in the pitch. In general, the combination of young and old is beginning to blend, and the pace of the USMNT is reflecting it. If they continue this same fire, 2026 will not be the question of surviving the World Cup; it will be the question of making some serious noise.