USMNT’s Pulisic says the team has been reset by Pochettino’s arrival

AC Milan star Christian Pulisic hailed a “reset” for the United States in a new era under newly hired manager Mauricio Pochettino.

“It’s been a good kind of reset for everyone and I think it’s brought an environment where everyone is a bit on their toes and especially in training sessions,” Pulisic, 26, said ahead of a Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica d. 14 and 18 November.

“I think everyone is so much more focused. You obviously want to make a good first impression, you want to impress these coaches. They’ve obviously coached some of the best players in the world.”

The hiring of Pochettino – who has coached at top clubs such as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur – marked an ambitious step forward for the USMNT after it failed to impress last summer with a Copa América exit from the group stage under the previous manager Gregg. Berhalter.

Along with the backdrop of hosting the 2026 World Cup, a new bar has been set for the USMNT’s upcoming roster, although Pulisic noted Wednesday that the team is currently focusing on more immediate goals.

“It’s easy to look ahead. I think the main goal right now is to beat Jamaica. That’s really all we’re thinking about. … We have to take this step by step,” Pulisic said , when he was asked about the pre-World Cup. goals for the USMNT, who have won once and lost once in two games under Pochettino.

“If we can do that, obviously we can build on that and then it’s just continuing to grow as a team.”

The USMNT’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series begins with an away trip to Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday before the Americans host the second leg in St. Louis’ Energizer Park four days later. The winners earn a place in next year’s semi-finals and the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. An additional opportunity for Gold Cup qualification will be given to the loser of the quarter-finals through a preliminary competition.

“Obviously it’s going to be a tough place to go,” winger Pulisic said of playing in Kingston. “They are of course a team with many good athletes, a very physical team, and a team that I also think has improved a lot in recent years.”

Despite the USMNT having a record against Jamaica of 23W-3L-10D in Kingston, the series has been more even with a 3W-1L-6D tally for the USA

Pulisic may also need to compensate in attack due to the absence of injured strikers. AS Monaco Folarin BalogunNorwich City Josh Sargent and Coventry City Haji Wright are all out. In their place, backup strikers like PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi and Monterrey’s Brandon Vazquez will work alongside Pulisic, who has emerged as a game changer in 2024-25 for AC Milan.

Pulisic has seven goals and four assists across all competitions this season for the Serie A side, including an assist in a 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid last week.

“Really a great team effort from our whole team,” Pulisic said on Wednesday. “Really special to go to a stadium like that and win.”

Since the inception of the Concacaf Nations League, the USMNT has won all three editions of the tournament. The 2024–25 semifinals and final will be played in March at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.