On Tuesday Night, we got an exact picture of the current state of the USMNT, one that has to change before they host the 2026 World Cup.

The man whom the US hopes can help create that change was officially announced on a night when the product that needed change was on full display.

USA Soccer officially appointed Mauricio Pochettino as the next USMNT head coach after reaching a verbal agreement last month.

Pochettino’s announcement had been “on hold” for nearly a month after his former club Chelsea was still working on the financial details for him to get out of his contract.

“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

Friday afternoon in New York, Pochettino will take part in an introductory press conference after he flies into the US sometime this week.

Expected to become the USMNT’s highest-paid head coach ever, Pochettino’s salary could eclipse $6 million, far more than the over $2 million that former head coach Greg Berhalter made according to US Soccer’s tax write-off.

Mauricio Pochettino comes to lead the Stars and Stripes after experience coaching some of Europe’s top clubs including PSG, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Famously, Pochettino led the Spurs to the Champions League final back in 2019 as well as coaching Lionel Messi while he was at PSG.

Coaching the USMNT will be no easy task for Pochettino and that was on full display as the stars and stripes drew 1-1 to 89th-ranked New Zealand on Tuesday night.

After the match, star Christian Pullsic expressed his excitement and readiness to get a new era going.

“It’s time to turn the page and we really have to pick it up a level,” Pulisic said. “Everyone is part of this and it feels pretty low right now, but I know there’s better times ahead.”

Pochettino’s USMNT debut will come on October 12th when the States take on Panama in Austin Texas, followed by a trip to Mexico for a rivalry matchup.