#406 – I TOLD YOU SO! A Foreigner as Coach for the USMNT is KEY

In this episode, we dissect Mauricio Pochettino’s game-changing approach with the USMNT, from their pressing prowess in beating Paraguay and Uruguay to his bold press conference challenging media disrespect and player entitlement.

We examine fan and media U-turns, the benefits of a foreign coach in reshaping US soccer culture, roster insights including surprises like Max Arfsten, Bielsa’s take on MLS laziness, potential World Cup upsets, advice for young players eyeing Europe, and an eye-opening economics breakdown of MLS.

For more on elite coaching, check out 343coaching.com, and explore parent education at 343masterclass.com.

00:00 Intro
04:40 USMNT Pressing Under Pochettino
05:42 Fans and Media Flip Based on Wins/Losses
06:09 Pochettino Calls Out The Media During Post Game Press Conference
08:23 The Importance of Having a Foreigner as the USMNT Coach
11:58 Thoughts on Pochettino’s Roster Selection
13:29 Reason for Pochettino’s Roster Selections
16:17 Michael Kammarman – A Bureaucrat – Listing Stats Before the Press Conference – Why?
18:18 Pochettino Calling Out The Media Hacks
19:20 Will Next Camp’s Roster Look Similar to 2026 World Cup Roster + Is it Beneficial to Get Your Group Together Early?
23:12 Will Pochettino Leave Off a “Big Name” Player for the World Cup?
23:46 Most Ideal Scenario at 2026 World Cup?
25:35 Understanding Why Pochettino was so Upset About The “Regulars” Questions – The Media is Disrespectful and How to Fight Back Against Them
29:22 Sub: Supporting the Present Players Instead of Disrespecting Them
30:08 Sub: How “Legacy Journalists” Make Their Living
30:27 Sub: Message to Players Who Aren’t in Camp
30:50 What Players That Were Not at The Last Camp are Thinking
33:41 Who Are the Two Locks For The World Cup?
35:01 Have Any Players Surprised or Impressed?
35:49 On Max Arfsten
36:56 Sub: Non-practioner and Practitioner Opinions are NOT on the Same Footing
38:33 Is USMNT still LEVELS Below Rest of the World?
39:11 On Bielsa’s Comments Regarding The USMNT Game
39:22 How A Genius Operates
41:16 Miracles Can Happen in Soccer
43:05 Bielsa Says “Playing in MLS Makes You Lazy”
45:54 Sub: Herculez Gomez- Shit Posting or Genuinely Ignorant?
46:24 MLS DOES Make Players Lazy and Has ZERO Competition – What Does Competitive Actually Mean?
49:20 Herculez Gomez’ Commentary Regarding the Pochettino Press Conference Incidence
52:42 Sub: Media Wants to be Untouchable
53:49 Sub: Media Incentives
54:14 Possibilities on why Herc went from Anti-Establishment to another Typical Media Muppet
55:59 Fans Criticizing Pochettino Before the Game and Immediately Changing Their Narrative After the Win
01:02:08 Question From Audience Member – Should a Young Player Choose the USL Path if they want to Play in Europe?
01:06:35 Sub: The MLS to Europe Pathway Difficulties
01:08:37 MLS Doesn’t Care About Making Money on Transfers
01:09:45 What is the Real Business Model of MLS?
01:14:52 Economics 101 With Gary
01:19:42 A Thank You to the Audience

Premium Education for either Coaches or Parents

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

For Coaches

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.
If you’re coaching 7v7, we’ve got you covered at 7v7coaching.com.

For Parents

You don’t have to be lost and confused.
Learn to properly guide and develop your kid through the maze and pitfalls that is American soccer (from the folks who have actually done it).
Gain access at 343masterclass.com.

Never miss new episodes:

• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on iTunes
• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Stitcher
• Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Spotify

Parent Education Program