Mauricio Pochettino's to-do list for the 2030 World Cup cycle

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract to coach the United States men's national team, and that's good enough reason for us to dig into the "what's next" for the USMNT under the ex-Spurs and Chelsea boss. MORE —  Zidane takes over France national team Pochettino could become the first USMNT coach to work consecutive World Cups since Bruce Arena, and he'll have the opportunity to lead the team through qualifying, a Gold Cup, and likely the 2028 Copa America in the United States. And so Pochettino will look to have the team better prepared to show up against elite competition the next time a Belgium-level opponent is across the pitch in a tournament game. Pochettino’s USMNT to-do list: Find a partner for Chris Richards Pochettino found plenty of success with a back three during the last year with the USMNT, but fullbacks Alex Freeman or Joe Scally were often slid into that back three. With Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman heavy favorites to keep their places in the back four, it seems likely that Pochettino will spend a good amount of time finding a center back to partner with Chris Richards as Tim Ream is 38 and cannot go on forever (can he?). Auston Trusty (27), Miles Robinson (29), and Mark McKenzie (27) were the other center backs on the World Cup roster, while Cameron Carter-Vickers (28) and Tristan Blackmon (29) have been called up over the last year. So, too, has 19-year-old Noahkai Banks but the German-American teenager resisted committing for this World Cup. Of course there are many others who could make a case. Justin Che and Reid Roberts are just a pair of 22-year-olds CBs in MLS. Pochettino’s USMNT to-do list: Goalkeeper Matt Turner, Matt Freese, and Chris Brady were the USMNT's keepers at the 2026 World Cup and could well return for a while. Surely, though, further development is required at goalkeeper to become a position of strength for the USMNT, whether it be Freese (27), Brady (21), or someone else. Diego Kochen (20) has moved to Lyngby on loan from Barcelona and Gaga Slonina (22) is surely going to leave Chelsea for playing time as his USMNT chances have stalled since moving to Stamford Bridge (and picking up some injuries). Turner had a nice run between the USMNT posts but GK was a calling card for the Yanks for 20 years (Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tony Meola). It's now been almost a decade since the position was a strength. Pochettino’s USMNT to-do list: Develop the attack / Get Pulisic’s mojo back Malik Tillman was the Yanks' best attacker at the 2025 Gold Cup and he was a difference maker at the World Cup. At 24, he projects to be a difference maker for this next World Cup qualifying cycle. The same can be said for 25-year-old Folarin Balogun. Christian Pulisic is not in a great spot right now but he's an incredible talent who has done a lot in the shirt. He's not going anywhere and can still be a difference maker over the next four years. Pulisic will need to have his head right and bought into Pochettino's plans. That shouldn't be an issue but it'll be on the coach to make it smooth and quick. Beyond that, questions. Timothy Weah seemed an integral part of the team but barely featured at the World Cup. There are question marks around the continued development of Giovanni Reyna and Ricardo Pepi. Cole Campbell's transferred to a new Bundesliga club with Elversberg in hopes of taking the next step as part of the a next generation that includes Zavier Gozo, Cavan Sullivan, and Mathis Albert.