Lionel Messi has been fundamental to football's growth in the US. He's a benchmark for the opponents in MLS, as they discover what it means to truly compete' Mauricio Pochettino on how Messi is raising the standard stateside

The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the World Cup this summer, increasing pressure on the USMNT. Mauricio Pochettino became USMNT head coach four months after leaving Chelsea, marking his first international management role. He was offered the position by Matt Crocker, US Soccer’s former sporting director, whom he knew from Southampton. Pochettino’s stated target is reaching the quarter-finals, while his personal challenge is having no limits and going all the way. He says the US have reached the quarter-finals only once besides a third-place finish in 1930, and he wants the team to shake off mental barriers and build emotional confidence. He notes players are performing at clubs but still need to believe they can achieve big things.

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