Mauricio Pochettino has the United States purring on home soil at the World Cup, fresh off a winning start that has eased the pressure on the host nation.
The Argentine has turned a team that crashed out of the 2024 Copa América into one that suddenly looks the part, and the federation's decision to gamble on a marquee coach is starting to look shrewd.
Landing him, though, was never simple business. Pochettino arrived on a deal worth several million dollars a year, and US Soccer could not cover that figure alone. Instead, the money came from a small group of private donors.
When Gregg Berhalter was dismissed in 2024, US Soccer wanted a marquee name to lead the team into a home World Cup. Paying for one was the harder part.
Unlike most national federations, the governing body receives no direct government funding, leaning instead on its own revenue, sponsorship and donations.
The Argentine has turned a team that crashed out of the 2024 Copa América into one that suddenly looks the part, and the federation's decision to gamble on a marquee coach is starting to look shrewd.
Landing him, though, was never simple business. Pochettino arrived on a deal worth several million dollars a year, and US Soccer could not cover that figure alone. Instead, the money came from a small group of private donors.
When Gregg Berhalter was dismissed in 2024, US Soccer wanted a marquee name to lead the team into a home World Cup. Paying for one was the harder part.
Unlike most national federations, the governing body receives no direct government funding, leaning instead on its own revenue, sponsorship and donations.
5 hours ago
