The Rondo: What have we learned from Mauricio Pochettino, and what to expect from USMNT vs Mexico?

Tom Hindle: That Pochettino is groovy! There are ideas forming here, modern football sort of being pieced together in a coherent way. Proper build-up structures are a thing now, as is the idea that the USMNT can be tactically intelligent. Turns out that when you have a tactically literate manager and a bunch of players who kind of know what they're doing that this whole sport is a bit more interesting - even in 2-0 wins over far weaker opponents. This will take a little time, but there's a system and a buy-in. Consider me intrigued.

Jacob Schneider: The U.S. played as a complete unit in the second half. Yunus Musah doesn't score if Josh Sargent does not draw defenders away from him. The players off the bench made an impact, too, with Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi combining for the second goal. Everyone took their opportunity for the most part, which is exactly what you want to see.

Alex Labidou: The confidence is back. While the game against Panama wasn’t perfect - and the visitors could have easily scored once or twice with better finishing - the U.S. showed determination throughout. In the latter stages of Gregg Berhalter's tenure and during the September friendlies, this was the type of match that the U.S. would have either drawn or lost. It was encouraging to see the team have the resolve to pull it out.

Ryan Tolmich: It may not totally be there yet, but this team is going to look very different as this Pochettino project moves on. He didn't reinvent the wheel against Panama tactically, but there were already tweaks designed to get new things out of players. It's clear that Pochettino is willing to adapt his style to the pieces he has in play, which makes you wonder what he'll do once half of his biggest pieces aren't injured or unavailable.

TH: A good performance would be ideal, and, hopefully, a further development of the tactical ideas shown against Panama. Three points is obviously the target, but with so many guys sent home, it might not be entirely realistic. A draw in hostile territory and some good footy for spells would suit the U.S. just fine. Not every friendly is a must-win. Perhaps this is a bit of a non-sequitur, but Jurgen Klopp was celebrating 2-2 draws against West Brom two months into his Liverpool tenure... maybe there's something to that.

JS: It's still must-win for the USMNT. Poch's first camp aside, this team is good enough to beat El Tri, and frankly, they need to. Bring into context that the U.S. is third in the CONCACAF Power Index rankings, they need a win over Mexico to climb into the top two to avoid a group stage winner in November's quarterfinals of the Nations League. Sure, a draw would be a good result on the road without a few stars present, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't help them - or Pochettino.

AL: This feels like a way to have a built-in excuse for any result. If the U.S. beats a full-strength Mexico team, then the Poch magic is in full effect. If the team draws or loses, then the reasons are obvious. Ultimately, the fans are the biggest losers here, but with these matches being friendlies and not FIFA-mandated fixtures, there is not much that can be done.

RT: Win. Nothing short of that. Pochettino has set the expectation that every game matters, and a visit to Mexico is always going to matter more than just any game. Yes, there are absences, which is an excuse, but it's also an opportunity. Wouldn't it be one hell of a message to beat Mexico in Guadalajara without the likes of Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest, Tim Weah and Tyler Adams? Those are exactly the messages that Pochettino is eager to send in these initial games.

TH: With a lot of the big guns out, it's hard to highlight a single individual who's going to change this game for the U.S. Let's face it, there isn't a great goalscorer at play here. But a good performance from Josh Sargent would be a start. The Norwich man got a lot of heat on social media for his showing against Panama - he did miss a couple of good chances. But his movement was excellent throughout. He might be the kind of forward who just needs one to hit the back of the net, if only for his confidence.

JS: Brandon Vazquez. Without Pepi available vs Mexico, he will be given a shot either in the XI or off the bench in a country in which he's familiar with both the altitude and physicality of the opposition. A dominant force in the air, it'll be interesting to see if the U.S. plan a crossing game around him, whenever he plays.

AL: This is a tricky one because, in theory, most observers want to see the entire team continue to progress under Pochettino. There are only a few international windows left until the big show happens in 2026 and every match is significant when it comes to implementing the Argentine's system.

That said, Sargent is a man to watch. He did a lot of good things in the win against Panama, but badly fluffed his lines when he had a chance to convert the easiest chance of the night in the second half.

RT: It has to be someone in the attack, simply because of the missing pieces. Realistically, the USMNT is without three starters (Pulisic, Balogun, Weah) as well as its most creative midfielder (Gio Reyna). As a result, someone is going to have to step up and lead from the front. Could that be Sargent? He had some good moments against Panama, but he desperately needs a goal of his own. He'll be eager to get one in this game.

TH: Well, pretty much everyone. There will be a little more Tanner Tessman content (snooze.) But the most intriguing thing here is what Poch may or may not do with Malik Tillman. The attacking midfielder/winger has been excellent for PSV this season, and probably deserves a look for the national team as a result. Perhaps he can slot into that Pulisic winger-turned-inside-forward role - with Haji Wright coming off the other wing. It's never really clicked for Tillman at the national team level. This could be his chance.

JS: It's got to be Brandon Vazquez or Alejandro Zendejas. Both know Liga MX very well, and are already adjusted to the playing conditions there. Considering how much Poch values workrate, it feels safe to assume Zendejas will lineup on the wing at one point during the match, too.

AL: Haji Wright should get a start for a number of reasons. One, it is clear to see without Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, and Cade Cowell, the U.S. currently doesn't have a lot of direct wingers on the squad. Wright is a bit of a tweener who can play between striker and wing, but he could be a potential answer there. Wright hasn't done anything of note for the national team since the 2022 World Cup, where he scored against the Netherlands. Against Mexico in Guadalajara? That's a chance to make a statement.

RT: With McKennie gone, the midfield has one less regular, which could open the door for someone like Tessmann. The Lyon midfielder arrived late to camp after joining as an injury replacement, so it made sense for him to not get a big run out in the Panama game. After his performances the Olympics, though, there's excitement around him, which means he should get at least a look against Mexico. It'll be interesting to see how Tessmann fits because he is one of those guys that very easily could be in a much bigger role at this time next year.

TH: That he has a vision for the way this team should play. Setting up an international side, historically, has been rather tricky. There are limited windows to work with your team, so trying to set up the kind of positional play - hello, Pep Guardiola - that defines most club sides is tricky. But it seems that Poch is set on doing it. For now, that's pretty exciting. It might not work all the time - Panama certainly exploited a weakness or two - but there's something cooking here. Talk to us in November once he has a fully fit squad.

JS: He values workrate and has drilled tactical ideas into the squad during this camp. The most notable was Musah playing as a right-sided midfielder, allowing space to open up in the center of the pitch, while seeing Brenden Aaronson tuck inside at times.

That, and he's cognizant of minutes. Sending home a handful of players due to minor knocks and/or allocation of time played is smart and respectable. A nice change of pace there.

AL: The confidence that emanates from the former Spurs and Chelsea manager on to the pitch. One of things that immediately stood out about Pochettino is his self-assured nature, and throughout the match it resonated.

The other thing was the implementation of ideas. Early on, the U.S. used a familiar 4-3-3 lineup but once kickoff happened, the roles had changed almost instantly. Pulisic was playing higher up in a second striker role and Musah started in center mid, but was shifted all over the right-wing flank and impacted all three phases of the game. While those shifts weren't always sustained, especially as Panama asserted itself, it was impressive considering the team had only four days of practice.

RT: It's less about Poch and more about how the players react to him. It's clear that Pochettino has walked in and instantly put his stamp on things, whether that's training drills or tactics. The players, from Day 1, seemed to have bought in and embraced the new order. Pochettino has a name and resume that commands that respect, but, in these early days, the execution has been there. The biggest lesson so far? This transition might just move a bit quicker than many expected.