USMNT agree to new contract with coach Mauricio Pochettino through 2030 World Cup as obvious theme emerges

Despite major speculation before and throughout the 2026 World Cup that manager Mauricio Pochettino was leaning toward returning to the club level, the United States Soccer Federation announced Monday that the 54-year-old had agreed to a new contract to keep him on the red, white, and blue sideline through 2030."Working together with U.S.Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger," Pochettino said in the announcement.Head coach Mauricio Pochettino watches during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the United States and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 12, 2026.
(Omar Vega/Getty Images)LANDON DONOVAN SAYS SOCCER HAS ARRIVED IN AMERICA AFTER RECORD-BREAKING WORLD CUP SUMMER"The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here.We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of U.S.
Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the Federation.We want to try to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed us so warmly and for that impact to extend beyond results on the field."Pochettino and staff led the USMNT to just its third World Cup group stage outright win in team history at the 2026 World Cup, as well as the squad's first knockout-stage win since 2002 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.United States Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts to a call with the assistant referee during the international friendly match between the United States and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2026.
(Michael Miller/ISI Photos)TAYLOR TWELLMAN GOES OFF ON TEAM USA AFTER DISASTROUS 4-1 LOSS TO BELGIUM: 'CAN'T MISS FUNDAMENTALS'The USMNT was certainly looking to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, at minimum, in Pochettino's first run as World...