COLUMBUS, Ohio — A year ago, Mauricio Pochettino took the stage in Manhattan, brimming with excitement about his new role as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. His confident proclamation that he had plenty of time to prepare the team for the World Cup now seems ambitious as he grapples with growing pressures.

Fast forward to now, and Pochettino is still navigating the complexities of his squad, with his only significant victory—a 2-0 win against Japan—coming in a friendly against a rotated team. This win, however, served as a much-needed morale boost as he continues to insist on a deliberate process aimed at next summer's World Cup.

Pochettino's tenure has seen its share of turmoil, with disheartening losses at this year’s Concacaf Nations League Final Four and a historic four-game losing streak ahead of the Gold Cup. Despite discouraging performances against tough competition and two defeats to rival Mexico, the Argentine coach remains steadfast, urging patience from the fans and promising that results will follow.

For Pochettino, the victory over Japan signals a possible turning point in his ambitious rebuild, despite receiving a hefty salary of $6 million per year—the highest ever in U.S. Soccer history. He took on this challenge after the team’s disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2024 Copa América on home soil.

The shift in leadership from Gregg Berhalter to Pochettino marks a significant change in approach, with the latter bringing a pedigree of success from European leagues. His recent tactical maneuvers have involved a heavy reliance on MLS players, contrary to previous strategies that focused heavily on European talent, sowing a mixture of trust and skepticism among fans.

Pochettino was recently challenged publicly by star player Christian Pulisic over his decision-making, illustrating his attempt to reshape the team’s dynamics by fostering competition and depth within the squad. While critics remain vocal, the coach believes that his restructuring efforts will soon pay off.

This month’s friendlies provide Pochettino with another opportunity to assess potential players for his World Cup squad. He hopes to leverage October’s gathering to bring in new talents, aiming to build a stronger foundation ahead of the critical months leading to the World Cup.

Key players like Weston McKennie and Tim Weah were absent from recent matches due to club commitments, but Pochettino is weighing form and fitness for September’s roster selections. He’s on a quest to identify dependable options within his player pool, as he prepares for a World Cup where winning will be paramount.

While Pochettino's philosophy emphasizes the importance of process over immediate results, he is aware of the pressing need for victories before the World Cup. As player Tyler Adams noted, winning matches will foster confidence and support for the national team—central to expanding soccer's footprint in the U.S.

Finally, with the recent victory against Japan, Pochettino appears optimistic, looking forward to the upcoming challenges in October. The question remains whether fans and players can trust his vision and leadership, as the U.S. seeks to redefine its soccer narrative on the world stage.

Pochettino firmly believes that the groundwork laid over the past year will lead to the success U.S. Soccer is striving for. Now, the team must begin to see the fruits of their labor.