The U.S. men’s national team may have agreed to a deal with Mauricio Pochettino to take charge, but that doesn’t mean the Argentine will be in charge during the September international break, which will be led by former U-20 coach Mikey Baras, according to ESPN, as the team faces Canada and New Zealand, both of which are in the United States.
After winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship, Baras led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. During the Copa América, Baras was promoted to Berhalter’s staff as an assistant, and now leads the senior team in international matches.
Pochettino needs time to get to know the U.S. Soccer Federation and the team, as well as to sign a formal contract. The role Pochettino will play is huge ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The U.S. national team doesn’t play a competitive game until the CONCACAF Nations League returns in November, so there’s no reason for Pochettino to rush into the role now while he can get things done.
He has a plan for Argentina and he has time to execute it. Expectations are high but he can reach them while managing this squad.
The U.S. Women’s National Team had to wait a few months for Emma Hayes to officially take charge after her season at Chelsea, so the U.S. Soccer Federation would be comfortable giving her time to settle into the role.
