U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson just confirmed they are still in active talks with Mauricio Pochettino about returning as the head coach for the men's national team. This comes only a week after the USMNT got bounced from the World Cup with a brutal 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a game that still stings. Talk about a quick turnaround, right? The federation is already mapping out the next four years, and it looks like Poch is still their guy to lead the charge for the 2030 tournament.
Pochettino's Contract Is Still On The Table After The World Cup Exit
Despite that stinging World Cup exit on July 6, the contract renewal offered to Pochettino *before* the tournament even started is apparently still there, waiting. Can you believe it? The USMNT crashed out for the fourth successive time in the round of 16, which is just gut-wrenching, especially after everyone had such high hopes for a deeper run after some strong performances earlier in the summer. Batson said it directly, "We're in active discussions with Mauricio and staff about the future." He added, "We all share belief that the best days of U.S. Soccer are ahead of us and they're excited about the opportunity to impact all soccer at all levels in every community." It sounds like they are really trying to build something big for the long haul.Building The Future: 2028 Olympics and 2030 World Cup On The Horizon
This isn't just about the senior squad, either. Pochettino has been involved in planning for the U-23 team, specifically with former U.S. international and LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, who will lead them at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Batson mentioned these discussions have been "active about long-term planning" and that Pochettino was "a key part of that process" for the U-23 role. Even with a coaching decision timeline where they were supposed to "take a break after the World Cup and rest and recuperate," these talks haven't slowed down. The federation is operating without a sporting director after Matt Crocker left in April, with COO Dan Helfrich handling sporting decisions for now. Helfrich emphasized it's a "group effort" with a "great team" that has expertise from within America and from around the world. Batson also hinted at a restructure in the sporting department coming in the next few months. So, what's next? The pressure is on to finalize this coaching situation and fully commit to that 2030 World Cup vision. With active talks and a serious emphasis on long-term planning that includes the 2028 Olympics, U.S. Soccer is trying to prove those "best days" really are ahead. The fans are watching, waiting to see if this commitment to Pochettino pays off and breaks that frustrating Round of 16 curse once and for all.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.