Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the United States' impressive 3-2 friendly win over Senegal Sunday can help the American public trust in their national team as the country prepares to host the World Cup.
The US, along with Canada and Mexico, is co-hosting the tournament which kicks off June 11, with hopes high that stars like Christian Pulisic can lead the home side deep into the knockout stages.
Though there are no minnows among World Cup opponents Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, anything less than progress beyond Group D would be an embarrassment for the US men's national team.
WHAT IS USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO COOKING??? pic.twitter.com/rCMuh1UnBn — USMNT Only (@usmntonly) May 31, 2026 The American public's expectations had been deflated by recent friendly losses to Portugal and Belgium, and a longstanding poor track record against the most elite sides.
But Sunday's win – Pochettino's second as US coach against top-15 opposition, after beating Uruguay in November – could prove as useful boosting morale among supporters as within the Team USA set-up, the coach said.
"The good feelings with that victory, I think it's more important for the environment than for us," said Pochettino.
"For us it's important always to win.
But it is important also for the environment to trust a little bit after the last two games, against Belgium and Portugal." He added: "Today...
we saw the commitment of everyone there.
We have attitude and commitment, we have the talent, we have players that have enormous talent." Former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino took over the US team at a low ebb in September 2024.
After the dismal failure of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the US had won the 2021 Gold Cup and three consecutive Nations Leagues.
Mauricio Pochettino spoke about his objectives for today's match against Senegal in Charlotte."Come back safely on Sunday after the game.
It's not about to take risks."Watch👇Depending on team agreements, Poch could substitute 8-11 players.#USMNT #WorldCup #Senegal pic.twitter.com/YAXEYGlOR4 — Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) May 31, 2026....
