US 'golden generation' raises World Cup hosts' expectations
Mauricio Pochettino is challenging his USA team to mount a deep run in the World Cup when the tournament kicks off on home soil next month (Kevin C. Cox) With home advantage, a forgiving group draw, and a talented roster widely dubbed the United States' "golden generation," coach Mauricio Pochettino is daring fans to ask "Why not us? " The global superpower may historically be a footballing minnow, but soccer has boomed since the US last hosted in 1994, and the co-hosts are no longer merely making up the numbers.
Young Americans now spearhead some of Europe's top clubs, from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie at Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus, to captain Tyler Adams at the Premier League's high-flying Bournemouth. "I am here because I believe that we can win," said Pochettino, the Argentine manager who took over the co-hosts' side in late 2024. "Why not us?
Why not us? Why not us? We need to really believe that we can be there," said the former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach, this spring.
Of course, nobody is talking about the US in the same breath as favorites like France, Spain and Argentina. For one thing, the US -- who face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D -- would surely need to beat top European or South American opposition to progress deep into the tournament. Though Pochettino's men defeated Uruguay and Paraguay last year, those statement wins were followed in March by a 5-2 thrashing against Belgium and a lop-sided 2-0 loss to Portugal, exposing long-standing frailties against the world's elite.
Worries over star forward Pulisic's form in Milan have also dampened the optimism about a deep American run. Pulisic has not scored since December, and is no longer an automatic starter. Pochettino himself recently admitted that his roster features none of the world's top 100 players -- not exactly a pick-me-up for Pulisic's ego.