'It's about being number one' - Mauricio Pochettino outlines his lofty ambitions for the USMNT as he insists overall 'objective' is to be world's best

Former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino was appointed as the United States’ new head coach in September 2024. He has overseen five games at the helm so far, picking up four wins and suffering only one defeat.

An exciting squad that is loaded with potential are working down a path towards the 2026 World Cup – an event that will see the US take on co-hosting duties alongside Canada and Mexico. Pochettino will be looking to make history at that tournament.

Competing for global titles is, however, only part of the big picture for Pochettino, with the Argentine tactician telling MLS Season Pass reporter Diego Valeri of his ultimate targets: “You can’t become the USMNT coach and not think about winning. The American mentality, the culture here, it’s about being number one. Any American athlete, in any sport, always thinks about being number one.

“So in soccer, we also need to think that we need to be number one. After that, we need to grow and works towards it, but that has to be the big objective. First, because we’re competitive as a coaching staff, we want to win. And second, because there is potential. If we’re not able to optimize that potential to beat the big powers, it’s because others are better and we still have a path to go. But it should be for that reason, not because of a lack of belief, mentality, or things that I think depend on us.”

The USMNT, with a squad made up of home-based MLS players, are back in friendly action at the moment, with Costa Rica next on the agenda as preparations are put in place for a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final date with Panama in March.