ST. LOUIS — Mauricio Pochettino had just 18 months to prepare the U.S. soccer team for this past summer’s World Cup, a schedule with its own limitations.
By staying for a second term, the Argentine now has four full years to mold the program into his vision, with players who fit his system and young prospects with no baggage or bad habits.
Advertising
Just two games into Pochettino’s second act, the USA are playing with fun and freshness.
This is not a slap in the face to Pochettino’s summer squad, who played cohesive football until the ugly end and scored quality goals to win their World Cup group after two matches.
But there is something delicious about this 16-day camp. The victories over Peru and Chile, who finished last in the qualifying round of the World Cup, will not be so important. After all, they were friends.
The temperature and intensity will rise with the final two matches of the international window against arch-rivals Mexico in great Phoenix on Saturday and second-tier foe Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota next Tuesday. We will see how the children behave under greater pressure.
Mathis Albert celebrates with midfielder Malik Tillman during the USA’s friendly match against Chile on September 29, 2026 at Energizer Park in St. Louis.
(Sportswire icon via Getty Images)
So far, the U.S. has put on a show anchored by their World Cup run and enlivened by about a dozen newcomers.
Advertising
The US men have never scored four goals in back-to-back matches against opponents from outside the CONCACAF region in their 110-year history. Not bad.
Here are some thoughts from Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Chile:
At 17 years and 4 months, winger Mathis Albert became the youngest goal scorer in program history in 2016, surpassing Christian Pulisic, who was a few months older. Who is Christian? (Child.)
Albert’s integration into the program began at the World Cup this summer, although he wasn’t actually on the team. Looking to the future, Pochettino invited him to a camp in Irvine, California to meet the staff and players.
Advertising
“I had a good chat with Poch,” said Albert. “He talked for about an hour.”
Albert participated in group matches of USA with Paraguay and Turkey in Los Angeles area.
After reporting to Borussia Dortmund for the Bundesliga season, he received his first senior call-up from the United States two weeks ago. Albert made his singles debut in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Peru in Orlando, Florida, scoring a dubious penalty kick to lead to the go-ahead goal. He entered the field in the 71st minute in the game against Chile.
His goal came in stoppage time, a close-range shot hitting the underside of the post and the Chilean getting behind the line before clearing it. Play continued until the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
Advertising
“I saw the ref and I didn’t know if he was going to count, but I knew he was in,” Albert said.
Speaking about Pochettino, Albert said, “He really trusts me. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He gives me all the confidence. Before we played today, he just told me, ‘Go create chances.’ You have all the freedom,” he said.
Albert bonded with his new teammates, although he was already familiar with veteran midfielder Gio Reyna, who came through Dortmund’s system before moving to Strasbourg in France this season.
“It kind of feels like a home, a family,” said Albert, a South Carolina native with a French father and an American mother. “I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
Familiar names rise
Among veterans absent from Pulisic and Weston McKennie, Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter stepped into prominent roles.
Advertising
At just 23 years old, Reyna has seemingly been around forever. A young prodigy years ago, his immaturity at the 2022 World Cup sparked a firestorm and playing time at Dortmund almost ruined their World Cup hopes this summer.
Now in a key role at Strasbourg, Reyna has reinvented his game. In this US camp, he was the only player to start against both Peru and Chile.
“I am definitely one of the leaders of this camp,” he said. “I just try to fill them with confidence, tell them to play their game, [use] follow their instincts, what brought them to this camp. … The youth and energy is great for the camp and brings a breath of fresh air after the World Cup.”
Berhalter, who has been with the program for less than 18 months, scored for the second consecutive match, assisted Chris Richards’ goal on a well-timed corner kick and generally continued to make an impact in midfield.
Advertising
“Every time he gets on the ball in the set, I’m going to go find him,” Richards said. “He’s working hard on it and even though we don’t see each other week in and week out, it’s just muscle memory at this point.”
Berhalter also played a bigger leadership role.
“A player like him is priceless,” Pochettino said. “It’s hard to put a value on it.”
Explaining Pochettino’s comments, Berhalter said, “It means a lot. It’s the first time I’ve heard it. It was pretty special to hear it from a coach like him and he rewarded me from Day 1. He believed in me. … I’m just trying to repay him and just try to make him proud.”
Advertising
Pochettino noted that Berhalter did not have an easy time when he was first called up to the national team.
“Being the son of the former [U.S.] coach here [Gregg Berhalter]I know how difficult it is for him,” said Pochettino.
Growing up together
The USA have been a solid team under Pochettino for some time now, but even with many new players in camp, the culture remains strong. That was evident in the dying moments of Tuesday’s match, when several arguments broke out and players jumped to each other’s defenses.
“It’s really important to show the new kids that this is a family and if you mess with your family, that’s what happens,” Richards said.
Advertising
Both benches were emptied and Pochettino was on the pitch.
“When I was young, yes, I love to fight. Now I’m more relaxed. I don’t have the same reflexes and I’m not as fast if I have to move and run,” Argentina’s former World Cup defender Pochettino said, prompting laughter.
Chemistry and bonding will be needed in the upcoming matches.
Young players will “really see what this beast is all about,” Richards said. “They’re going to see Mexico. They’re going to see Canada, and so for us it’s obviously a chance to learn every game, every practice. But we’re also building on what we’ve done over the last three and a half, four years.”