United States Men’s National Team icon Jonathan Spector has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that he is backing head coach Mauricio Pochettino to guide the squad through a period of transition and he is adamant that there should be belief within the camp that they can defy the odds by challenging to win the World Cup on home soil next year.
The United States’ preparations for hosting the sport’s biggest competition have not gone to plan, having missed out on Gold Cup glory and been eliminated at the semi-final stage by Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League earlier this year, resulting in there being question marks over whether they should make a change in the dugout.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton boss Pochettino has been in the hot-seat for 13 months, after being identified as the preferred candidate to succeed Gregg Berhalter in September 2024, and Spector feels that the Argentine tactician is the right person to turn the country’s fortunes around after a tough period.
Pochettino Altering Style of Play at Risk of Backfiring
Spector, who won 36 international caps for the United States during his fruitful playing career, believes that Pochettino is struggling to pick up consistent results ahead of the World Cup because he has been challenging his side to adjust to a new style of play which goes against what they prioritised in the past.
The 53-year-old has been wanting to have more possession in an attempt to bring the best out of the likes of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie – who have been flourishing in Serie A with AC Milan and Juventus respectively after difficult spells in the Premier League – instead of using their physicality to fight off opponents.
Although Spector admires the changes that have been implemented, he fears that making such mammoth alterations in the build-up to a World Cup which will have fixtures in New Jersey, Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, Santa Clara, Philadelphia, Miami and Boston could backfire.
Speaking exclusively to GMS via the home of live football odds, the former Manchester United, West Ham United and Birmingham City man said: “I think Mauricio Pochettino is a really good manager, first and foremost. The US is in the midst of a little bit of a transformation. If I just take it back to when I was playing, we had some very talented players in our group. We had the likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley.
“We had some really good players, but what we learned more than that was there was just a real camaraderie within our group. I’m not saying the team doesn’t have that now, but we weren’t always trying to play the most attractive style of football. We knew we were going to have to fight, we had to compete for everything and that we might have to grind out results.
“I think what we’re seeing now in soccer in this country is that we want to start playing a little bit more attractive football. We have some players at some of the biggest clubs in the world – like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie – and they are performing well there.
“We’re in a place where we are thinking we can maybe start playing a slightly different style of football. We want to implement that, be a little bit more attractive and maybe a little bit more on the front foot. But I don’t know that we are quite there yet against some of the best teams in the world.
“In order to move soccer forward in this country, I think that is necessary, for sure. But maybe the timing isn’t quite right because I do think it’s also really important that we have a good showing in this World Cup.”
Spector Insists Squad Ought to Have Lofty Ambitions
Although the USMNT’s performances in the CONCACAF Nations League finals and the Gold Cup have left some Americans fearing that the side will not be prepared for the World Cup – which they will host alongside Canada and Mexico – Spector feels that those within the squad need to have confidence that they can make history on home soil.
The 39-year-old is also insistent that the current crop of players are under increased pressure to perform on the biggest stage as failing to make it out of the group stage could result in the growing popularity of the sport being negatively impacted.
“As a minimum, I think we have to get out of the group,” added Spector. “After that, with it being a single game elimination on home soil, there’s no telling. I would love to say I think we can go and win it, but I don’t know if that’s a realistic possibility right now for us.
“That should always be the goal, though. We want to get to that stage. Each World Cup, we have to take steps to get closer to it. I think there is a lot of excitement. There has been a lot of soccer in the United States recently too. We had the Club World Cup, the MLS is here, we always have the Premier League Summer Series and it’s now culminating in the World Cup.
“There is definitely some excitement surrounding it. Everyone I know has been asking how they can get tickets, which I wish I had the answer to! There is a real genuine interest in it here and my hope is that the US does well. I think soccer in this country is on an upward trajectory, but I think that could potentially slow down if the US doesn’t perform well. You always see an uptick when the US team does well in a World Cup.”
Spector is adamant that the members of the squad selected by Pochettino need to embrace the pressure and recognise the position they have found themselves in because only a select few can boast that they have represented their country in a home World Cup and it is a memory that will last a lifetime.
“I may not have represented my country on the biggest stage in a World Cup, but I certainly did in a big enough setting,” confirmed the former defender, who was born and raised in Illinois. “Those are moments that you just never forget and you always have.
“I was fortunate to have some wonderful experiences in the US and in Chicago as well. My debut was a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich at Soldier Field in Chicago, which is my hometown. That was a really special moment for me as an 18-year-old to have that experience.
“Winning the Gold Cup by beating Mexico in the final in Chicago is a highlight as well. Just those moments, where all your friends and family are at the match, are incredibly special.”
Red Devils Urged to Stick With Amorim Despite Form
Spector was restricted to just eight appearances in a Manchester United shirt, when legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson was in the dugout, but he has still been keeping a close eye on the turmoil at Old Trafford. Head coach Ruben Amorim has been fighting to save his job and the Red Devils were also humiliated last month, when they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
But the Gold Cup winner, who is currently head of international relations and scouting at Atlanta United, feels that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other influential figures behind the scenes need to give the Portuguese tactician more time to turn around the Premier League giants’ fortunes.
When asked whether Amorim deserves to be sacked following an underwhelming start to the season, Spector admitted: “It’s not an easy one. After bringing in the signings, I’m seeing it as a little bit more of a long-term project. They’ve signed some young, talented players. Some of them won’t make an impact for a couple of seasons. Others, like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, are pretty significant investments and I actually like what they’ve done in terms of the attacking group.
“I think there are some other areas that need to be addressed. They brought in some younger players that I don’t think are going to have an impact right away. I think people have to be realistic because this isn’t a quick fix. It seems like the way they’re approaching it is a little bit more long-term. If they’re going down this route, I think they need to continue to give the manager a bit of time to implement his philosophy and ideas.
“In addition to that, what’s the alternative? How much would they have to spend on a new manager? They should be getting into Europe, to be clear. But if they want to be competitive and challenge for the Premier League title, what is the outlay for that immediate result? I just don’t think that would be sustainable or realistic.”
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 02/10/2025