Former USMNT player calls Mauricio Pochettino a"phony" and questions USMNT direction | OneFootball

Herculez Gomez has unloaded on U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino, saying he’s not committed and has overseen a “regression” since taking over the program. The former U.S. international didn’t hold back in his assessment of Pochettino’s recent interview.

Gomez, who earned 24 caps with the USMNT, is one of the most outspoken voices in American soccer media.

His playing career was in MLS and Liga MX, where he was the first American to top the scoring charts in Mexico’s top division, before moving into a broadcasting role with ESPN. He’s never been afraid to call out players, coaches and even U.S. Soccer itself.

Hercul Gomez questions Pochettino’s vision for USMNT ahead of World Cup

In his latest comments with ESPN FC, Gomez says Pochettino is catering to European audiences and lowering expectations for the US.

He goes further, saying Pochettino doesn’t even know his team.

“It’s unbelievable to me where we are today. It just screams this man’s a phony.”“When it comes to the US, ‘Hey, let’s temper the expectations. What we really trynna do is pave the way for the future.’ Excuse me, Mauricio Pochettino, they didn’t hire you to change soccer for the next 60 years, they hired you for a tournament. They hired you to take this next team to the next level. And so far what we’ve seen is more of a regression.”

“I don’t think he knows some of the players that are here right now or that have gone. He doesn’t know the direction they’re going. He doesn’t know his 11, he doesn’t know the core. And watching this interview, it makes me feel like he doesn’t care. He’s trying to tell us that if things go south in the World Cup, it ain’t on me.”

Pochettino was hired in September 2024 and has already faced criticism for a Nations League semifinal loss to Panama and for not settling the squad less than two years from a home World Cup.