SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In 2024, the U.S. men’s national soccer team appointed Mauricio Pochettino as its coach. He faced the challenge of revitalizing a team historically viewed as an underdog. Pochettino, a 54-year-old Argentine, introduced a motivating phrase to lift spirits before the 2026 World Cup. His recurring mantra, “Why not us?” sought to instill belief among players and the public, even reaching the ears of President Donald Trump.

The question, “Why not the U.S. men?” is more prevalent now than ever. The team’s recent stellar performance in the tournament’s group stage fuels hope as they approach the knockout phase. The team stands on the brink of a potential breakthrough, a feat not seen since the World Cup’s advent nearly a century ago.

Challenges and Opportunities

The U.S. boasts immense talent, advanced facilities, and comprehensive training resources across various sports. Yet, men’s soccer has lagged behind. Opinions differ on why the U.S. struggles to compete with South American and European giants. Some cite the vastness of the country, which complicates scouting. Others blame the high costs of youth soccer or the fragmented talent development pipeline.

MLS Next’s general manager for sporting operations, Luis Robles, expressed frustration over these enduring challenges. “The United States must find ways to identify and develop players effectively,” he remarked. The consensus is clear: the system needs change.

Amid these challenges, Pochettino, acknowledging fan support after a match against Australia, emphasized the need for transformation. Without altering the methods of the past fifty years, the U.S. won’t achieve different results, stated U.S. Soccer in June.

Key Events and Expansion

The current World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, presents a rare opportunity. This event, coupled with the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2031 Women’s World Cup, aims to captivate fans and attract the talent needed to elevate U.S. soccer. While soccer ranks just behind basketball and baseball among kids aged 6 to 12 in 2024, its participation rate has dipped by 17.5% over the past decade.

Insiders hope the World Cup will ignite enthusiasm and form a consensus on advancing the sport. Chris Bentley, chief sporting officer of U.S. Youth Soccer, sees this as a pivotal moment to unify efforts for significant transformation.

Systemic Issues and Success Stories

Growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, Patrick Agyemang felt World Cup participation was a distant dream. Despite knowing of elite clubs that attracted recruiters, financial constraints posed barriers. “The costs were prohibitive,” Agyemang recalled, noting why playing for these teams was unattainable for his family.

Agyemang’s path was unconventional; he played four years of high school soccer and began his college career in NCAA’s lowest division. His rise to making his MLS debut, moving to England’s second division, and playing for the U.S. national team makes him a notable success. His potential in Pochettino’s eyes grew before an Achilles injury in April jeopardized his World Cup dreams. Although he missed the team, Agyemang and Cristian Roldan remain unique for having played in both high school and college.

Agyemang attributed his success to determined coaches but recognized that talented peers fell through the cracks. Critics argue that U.S. soccer’s financial demands and continuous scheduling hinder talent development. They question whether the system can recognize and nurture promising players from less privileged backgrounds.

The Path Forward

In 2002, 18 members of the U.S. team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals had high school experience, with the majority also playing in college. Those days are waning, as the NCAA feeder system’s influence declines. Today’s pathways to elite soccer involve navigating an array of clubs and systems.

Should young players join any of the 10,000 clubs affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest youth network? Or participate in non-U.S. Soccer affiliated clubs like the Elite Club National League? Alternatively, they could embrace academy-style models like those in Europe.

Tom Condone, U.S. Youth Soccer’s chief executive, acknowledged the fragmented nature of the current system. “We are highly fragmented,” he said, pointing to overlapping jurisdictions and inefficiencies within the system. Many parents share stories of exhaustive travels for local tournaments.

The pay-to-play model limits access to soccer to specific economic segments, former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard noted. Early specialization disadvantages late bloomers, according to former U.S. national coach Gregg Berhalter. Promising players may not develop without ample opportunities, hindering their growth and eventual exit from the system.

Global Inspiration and Local Solutions

During a podcast, Pochettino spoke of the need for increased opportunities for free play, which Weston McKennie experienced in Germany. “You breathe, you eat soccer,” McKennie explained, highlighting the cultural differences. The U.S., seeking inspiration from countries where soccer thrives, often looks at European and South American models.

Top clubs in these regions nurture talented players through academies. Nevertheless, Tim Howard questioned whether the U.S. should emulate the models of smaller countries like the Netherlands, which bear stark differences in population size.

Jozy Altidore, a former U.S. striker, proposed creative methods for retaining talent and promoting soccer. Competing for consumer attention is challenging, he acknowledged.

Strategizing Change

As teams gathered in North America for the World Cup, over a dozen U.S. soccer associations convened in suburban Atlanta. U.S. Soccer’s new $250 million training facility facilitated discussions on reshaping the talent development pipeline under the “U.S. Way” plan.

“No one believes the current system meets today’s demands,” stated their clear assessment. JT Batson, U.S. Soccer’s chief executive, emphasized collective effort and involvement from local communities in May but warned that progress would take time.

A detailed “U.S. Way” strategy will be released, highlighting the necessity for enhanced state and local leadership. This leadership should create a connected approach from grassroots to elite levels. Promising developments include the merger of U.S. Youth Soccer and U.S. Club Soccer leagues into the National 1 League. This initiative aims at reducing travel and costs.

The growth of Major League Soccer (MLS) since 1996 further supports U.S. soccer’s future. MLS club values have risen, and the league introduced NEXT Pro, a development league, in 2020 for young players. Youth exposure increased due to the jointly used online scouting platform, benefiting college coaches.

Robles expressed optimism that the World Cup provides strong momentum, bringing fresh ideas and resources to transform U.S. soccer. He acknowledged the value of sharing ideas from experienced individuals to find meaningful solutions.

While long-term planning continues, Pochettino’s immediate goal is achieving the best U.S. World Cup performance in recent generations. Reflecting on a dinner with U.S. dignitaries curious about the lack of U.S. breakthroughs, Pochettino emphasized the opportunity ahead to create lasting impact.