Former USMT coach Gregg Berhalter appears to be the unlikely winner to US fans as the frustration surrounding Mauricio Pochettino continues to rise.
In recent days and weeks, we have started to see a huge rise in criticism of Pochettino due to some inconsistent results, questionable lineup choices and a memorable press conference in which he completely dismissed talking about his own decisions.
When Pochettino took over in September 2024 it felt like there was so much pressure on the new project. A year later and after ups and downs and public spats with the media, some fans are feeling disillusioned and looking back at Berhalter’s time with rose-tinted glasses.
Berhalter was fired after the USMNT was eliminated early at Copa América 2024. US Soccer moved quickly to replace him with this big name foreign coach Pochettino, who was brought in to get the US team ready for the World Cup on US soil in 2026.
As of today, Pochettino’s record has been uneven, with a few solid victories but also alarming defeats that exposed holes in the defense and a lack of creativity.
The latest friendly showed that perfectly: a flat 2–0 defeat to South Korea followed by a 2–0 win over Japan. For many fans, this was just an extension of where they believe the team is going.
The criticism has only grown louder, on social media and everywhere else. Some former coaches and media have suggested the team does not have a real identity under Pochettino.
It has actually made some nostalgic for Berhalter, who, for all his failings, did at least give the U.S structure and an identity that some fans now seem to be missing.
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Why Berhalter looks better now
Looking back, Berhalter's tenure looks steadier. Fans remember his tactics, consistency and culture and he looks like a safer bet than Pochettino’s rocky start. Instead of being seen as an upgrade Pochettino’s struggles have made Berhalter look good in the eyes of many.
It all comes down to two things. Naturally, when a new coach struggles the old coach’s mistakes don’t seem as big. And Berhalter’s teams had a process, something that's hard to say with Pochettino. The style and chance creation in games like the Korea loss and Japan win just highlight the debate over who had the U.S. on the better path to 2026.
In the end, only results will tell the story. A run of wins and a settled lineup should cement Pochettino’s position.
But if this inconsistency continues, the frustration will only grow, and Berhalter’s name will keep popping up. But it doesn’t seem like U.S. Soccer will change its mind any time soon and fire Pochettino before the World Cup in 2026.
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