For U.S. Soccer, hiring Mauricio Pochettino was a coup. Bringing him back would be indefensible.

U.S. Soccer landed high-profile coaches Emma Hayes and Mauricio Pochettino — Hayes promptly won Olympic gold with the USWNT in just her 10th match.
Pochettino’s USMNT suffered a shocking 4-1 World Cup loss to Belgium in Seattle, effectively collapsing the 2026 home-campaign.
Despite the debacle, U.S. Soccer is still discussing a possible contract extension for Pochettino, a move that’s sure to spark debate.