Former national team player Alexi Lalas raised concerns about USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s experimentation with the team's roster, acknowledging the coach’s right to try options, but saying he's surprised there is not yet a settled starting XI ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino's side drew Ecuador and beat Australia over the last week.
Getty Images SportExperimentation versus clarity
Lalas pointed out that that Pochettino's current approach differs from the clarity he initially suggested he would provide.
“I've given up,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “I have, you know, resigned myself to the fact that Mauricio Pochettino is going to continue to experiment, leading all the way up to the World Cup. And again, that in and of itself isn't necessarily wrong or a bad thing. It's just the way that he intimated about what he was going to do. This is just very, very different.
“And I think that that makes it fair to criticize. And I kind of want to see him kind of lay it down and say, 'I am going to use this next window or these games as if the World Cup is happening. And I'm going to bring everybody that I can possibly bring in. And then I'm going to start who I think for that game is the best possible XI. And there's not going to be excuses.'”
Advertisement'Flicking a switch' strategy
Lalas noted that the USMNT have limited competitive matches left before the World Cup, which could jeopardize the team’s readiness.
“There's a risk because, you know, people see a Christian Pulisic and yeah, we can put him in bubble wrap and mothballs until next summer and he doesn't ever touch the field lest he get hurt. But that's not realistic," he said. "It's not realistic for him or any big-time player. You got to be smart, of course. But again, we don't have qualifying. We don't have a lot of games. And so I worry about just flicking a switch or putting on the tap and expecting the power of the water to be there.
“I hope it is. But it seems that's ultimately what is going to happen. Now, it would be a much more informed decision or flicking of the switch, if you will, because of all the information that Pochettino has.”
The challenge facing Pochettino
With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, the USMNT faces the task of balancing experimentation with the need for a settled, confident lineup. Pochettino must decide when to stop testing and begin solidifying his best starting eleven to build cohesion and tactical understanding.
AFPWhat's next?
Following their 1-1 draw with Ecuador and 2-1 win over Australia, the USMNT ended the October international break unbeaten and will regroup in November. They’ll face Paraguay and Uruguay on Nov. 15 and Nov. 18, respectively.