Opinion: Lost in translation or has Pochettino just lost the plot in the US system

When Mauricio Pochettino signed on the dotted line to become head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), he would’ve known the challenge was huge.
Jamaica 0 Guatemala 1
June 16 – It has been 12 years since Guatemala have beaten Jamaica. Six days ago they lost 3-0 to the Jamaicans in World Cup 2026 qualifying. On the opening night of their Gold Cup campaign they turned the form book on its head.
When Mauricio Pochettino signed on the dotted line to become head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), he would’ve known the challenge was huge.
June 16 – FIFA has handed control of its struggling FIFA+ digital streaming platform to DAZN, in a new long-term partnership that will see the sports streaming service operate and develop the product globally, announced on Saturday.
June 16 – Bayern Munich fans protested against the state of affairs and governance at world football’s governing body FIFA during their Club World Cup opener, unfurling a banner demanding ‘Smash FIFA’.
June 16 – FIFA has been forced into logistical gymnastics at the Club World Cup, shifting spectators around stadiums to ensure television broadcasts give the illusion of packed stands – a visual necessity as its new-format tournament struggles to ignite enough local interest to fill stadiums.
June 24 – Germany’s Euro 2029 bid has selected its eight host cities for the women’s finals, leaving the iconic Olympic Stadium in Berlin off the final list.
Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich and Wolfsburg got the nod. Rostock and Gelsenkirchen also missed out.
June 15 – BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is rapidly becoming the de facto home of the Trump resistance as National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Angel City, joined LAFC in protesting the U.S. President’s immigration crackdown.
On Saturday night the club made a bold statement with the words ‘Immigrant City Football Club’ printed on shirts across every players chest.
June 15 – The European Club Association (ECA) held a boarding meeting in Miami last Friday, ahead of the kick off of the Club World Cup on Saturday.
After the meeting ECA board members and the 11 ECA member clubs that will play in the tournament met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his closest FIFA apparatchiks, plus Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez in what was described as “a high-level gathering with key global stakeholders”.
June 15 – The European Leagues has promoted internally making Alberto Colombo, the leagues current DeputyGeneral Secretary, to the role of Managing Director and General Secretary of the Association.
Costa Rica 4 Suriname 3
June 15 – With the baking sun of a sweltering San Diego day in Southern California giving way to a cool evening, Costa Rica went from red hot to freezing cold as they threw away their lead and had to battle back to win with 10 men and a penalty more than 10 minutes into added time.
USA 5 Trinidad and Tobago 0
June 15 – United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) coach Mauricio Pochettino rolled the dice at PayPal Park in San Jose during the Gold Cup Group D opener against Trinidad and Tobago.
Haiti 0 Saudi Arabia 1
June 15 – Saudi Arabia opened their second appearance at Concacaf’s Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over Haiti on a baking hot San Diego early evening. It was a result that was against the run of play but not undeserved.
June 15 – Bulgarian online bookmaker Mr Bit has taken the naming rights to the country’s second tier professional league.
By Nick Webster at the SoFi Stadium
June 14 – The convoy of unmarked cars circling SoFi Stadium like vultures told the story before kick-off even arrived. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had visions of turning the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup opener into something resembling a certain European country in the 1930’s rather than a celebration—transforming what should have been Mexico’s moment to defend their crown into a test of courage.
Mexico 3 Dominican Republic 2
June 14 – In a city that saw tens of thousands on the street during the day protesting the mass deportations of immigrants by Donald Trump’s administration, the Gold Cup kicked off in an eery atmosphere of uncertainty at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
By Paul Nicholson in Los Angeles
June 13 – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be active at the Club World Cup that kicks off on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and throughout the month-long tournament.