Historic home advantage wasted: Ramos slams Pochettino and Pulisic

Former U.S. midfielder Tab Ramos, a three‑time World Cup veteran, contrasted the United States’ historic advantage of co‑hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the national team’s underwhelming Round of 16 exit, saying the USMNT fell short of the lofty expectations placed on head coach Mauricio Pochettino and star Christian Pulisic.

Ramos explained in an exclusive interview with Bolavip that co‑hosting offered a historic edge, yet the squad could not translate that into deeper progress. He noted the disappointment of not capitalising on home‑soil advantage.

Mauricio Pochettino was hired in 2024, bringing top‑tier European experience and becoming one of the world’s highest‑paid national team coaches. The appointment raised hopes that the United States would move beyond its usual Round of 16 finish.

Ramos recalled that Pochettino repeatedly urged fans and media to reserve judgment until the World Cup, but ultimately described the results as “just barely okay” and below expectations. He argued that the team’s performance failed to justify the coach’s high salary and reputation.

Inconsistent tournament form

According to Ramos, the USMNT’s inconsistency during the tournament mirrored its form over the previous 18 months, making the early knockout a predictable outcome. He emphasized that reaching the Round of 16 has become the norm regardless of the coach.

He praised the opening match against Paraguay as possibly the best any U.S. side has ever played at a World Cup, calling it a positive sign. Nevertheless, he maintained that overall results remained below the standards set by the historic advantage.

Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan winger, attracted the most criticism among marquee players, and Ramos said such scrutiny is normal for a player of his stature. He added that the criticism is fair given the team’s failure to exceed previous World Cup performances.

The juxtaposition of a historic co‑hosting benefit and a high‑profile coaching hire against the unchanged Round of 16 result the USMNT’s structural issues persisted, leaving the nation’s soccer ambitions unfulfilled despite the unique opportunity.