The Athletic reports that Mauricio Pochettino and his team are expected to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) in a friendly match against Canada on September 7th. However, he has yet to fully resolve his contract issues with Chelsea.
The U.S. Soccer Federation is still working to finalize Pochettino’s contract. The unresolved matters with his former club Chelsea, including severance fees, have not been settled.
If everything proceeds as planned, Pochettino will travel with the USMNT to Kansas for the match against Canada on September 7th. Three days later, the team will face New Zealand in Cincinnati.
Whether Pochettino will be at the helm for the US vs. Canada match remains uncertain. A source familiar with the negotiations told the media that talks between the U.S. Soccer Federation, Pochettino’s team, and Chelsea are ongoing and progressing well. Due to the sensitivity of the deal, this source requested anonymity.
The 52-year-old Pochettino is described as “very excited” about the opportunity to coach the USMNT leading up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His good relationship with U.S. Soccer Director Matt Crocker is one of the key reasons why he is willing to accept the offer from the USMNT.
According to reports, commercial partners of the U.S. Soccer Federation have proposed ways to enhance Pochettino’s income, as the federation’s budget alone cannot provide him with a sufficiently lucrative package. Sponsors and donors are supportive of Pochettino taking charge of the USMNT.