- Mauricio Pochettino’s first year as US men’s national team manager has been rocky, with early wins followed by key defeats.
- Former player Stuart Holden says Pochettino is frustrated by poor home support and underwhelming fan turnout.
- Despite hosting matches on US soil, stadiums have often been dominated by away supporters.
- Losses to Panama, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea have raised questions about Pochettino’s impact.
- Holden believes winning consistently is the only way to reignite fan passion and belief.
- With the 2026 World Cup approaching, pressure is mounting for Pochettino to deliver results and connect with the American soccer culture.
Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as head coach of the US men’s national team has been a rollercoaster. Appointed in September 2024, the Argentine manager arrived with high expectations and a reputation for transforming squads. But one year in, the results have been uneven — and the reception from fans even more so.
The team started strong, winning five of their first six matches. But momentum quickly faded after a shock defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League finals. That loss was followed by a third-place playoff defeat to Canada and a Gold Cup final loss to Mexico. A recent friendly against South Korea added to the growing list of setbacks.
Former US international Stuart Holden believes Pochettino’s frustrations go beyond the pitch. According to Holden, the coach has been visibly disheartened by the lack of passionate home support. Despite playing on American soil, the US team has often found itself outnumbered by away fans. In St. Louis, a match against Guatemala felt more like an away fixture, with thousands of Guatemalan supporters filling the stands. The Gold Cup final against Mexico saw a similar dynamic, with the crowd overwhelmingly in favor of the opposition.
Holden suggests that Pochettino underestimated the cultural complexity of American soccer. The diversity of fanbases and the fragmented support system have made it difficult to generate unified backing for the national team. While Pochettino has praised the pride and commitment of his players, he’s also pushed back against media criticism, defending his approach and long-term vision.
But Holden is blunt: if Pochettino wants to win over the fans, he has to win games. The excitement that greeted his appointment has faded, replaced by skepticism and calls for clarity. With the 2026 World Cup looming — and the US co-hosting alongside Mexico and Canada — the pressure is on to build momentum, unify the squad, and deliver performances that inspire belief.
