Pochettino stated in an interview with American media that the gap between the US national team and traditional powerhouse teams is narrowing.

Mauricio Pochettino spoke with journalist Joe Fryer about his commitment to leading the US Men's National Team through a new cycle toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup and his appreciation for the unwavering support from American fans.

Two months have passed since Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy, a tournament that captivated fans around the world. For the US team, the competition started well with several impressive victories, but ultimately ended in the Round of 16. However, the team is already looking ahead, hoping to turn disappointment into success. After some speculation, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to sign a new four-year contract, extending his tenure through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This new chapter, led by Pochettino, will begin this fall with four friendly matches scheduled against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.

We're delighted to have Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the US Men's National Team, here with us today. Congratulations, and nice to meet you. I imagine after such an exciting FIFA World Cup, which introduced many Americans to football, everyone was happy to see you stay on longer.

How does it feel to stay with the team for several more years?

Pochettino: It's very exciting. I'm very pleased, and I think we've done great work, but after the FIFA World Cup, we still have a lot of potential to unlock. I've been with the national team for two years, and I think we're beginning to feel this potential, to sense the strength that comes from this country, its people, and its culture. Yes, a good working relationship with the federation also allows us to stay on this path, working toward staying together for four years and beyond.

Looking back at the FIFA World Cup, how would you summarize the team's performance? The team played better than almost ever before, but clearly, you must have hoped to go further. How do you reflect on the team's success and the regret of ultimately not advancing?

Pochettino: I think the last FIFA World Cup gave us a feeling, it created hope in our minds and hearts that we could do better, and we can do better. When we lost to Belgium, everyone was disappointed. Yes, all the circumstances surrounding the loss and leaving the FIFA World Cup made it harder to accept.

But I think we need to take the positive side, because I felt it was a very beautiful journey. I think the FIFA World Cup was very good, and the team played very well. I could see that great and strong nations like Argentina and France have become closer to us compared to the past. I believe this experience will help us build strength on our journey toward the next FIFA World Cup, allowing us to be in better shape when we step onto the World Cup stage again.

What's your take on the fan base in the United States?

Pochettino: Many people have been passionate football fans for a long time, but many others were introduced to the sport for the first time during that period, or learned more about it than before.

What was your impression of the team's experience playing the FIFA World Cup at home in the US?

Pochettino: It was fantastic, because we truly felt the support from the fans. It's not easy to understand until you're there in person. I always say that we need the fans, we need everyone to support the team, because football is so important, and the help and support from the fans are crucial. When we played in Los Angeles, in Seattle, in Santa Clara, the feeling was extraordinary. I fell in love with the fans, yes, I fell in love with them. I'm an Argentine. Sometimes people compare us to Argentine fans, and they say, oh, we're very similar, we're very much like Argentine fans.

But I think we saw the true face of American football fans. We also saw how powerful the passion and energy are when Americans unite. That's why we hope to replicate this atmosphere in every match in the future.

Especially the Seattle fans, who always manage to cheer very loudly.

So, looking ahead four years to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, what's your main focus now?

Pochettino: I think, first, it's about building a very good process step by step, establishing all the principles, and then developing from there to build a complete system. However, one of the most important goals is to start fresh, giving young talent and young players a chance to join us, while also preparing for the Olympics in two years. I think we'll be heavily invested in helping the U-21 team and young players grow, gain experience, and become more competitive. The federation is very focused on this, wants to remain competitive and pursue championships.

We're very aware of what the Olympics means to Americans, and we will take this very seriously. Starting this weekend, we will work with some experienced players as well as some young players, giving them opportunities and helping them grow. However, the door is open to everyone; as long as you perform, you will have a chance, because for us, we will pursue excellence, and we will give opportunities to those who perform well in their respective teams.

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