By The United States Men’s National Team drew 1-1 with New Zealand in a friendly match Tuesday night, just hours after announcing Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach.
The match, played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, was overshadowed by the news of Pochettino’s appointment, which came 35 minutes before kickoff. The former Chelsea manager will replace Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed in July following the team’s failure to advance from the group stage of the Copa America.
Christian Pulisic, who entered the match as a substitute in the 57th minute, gave the U.S. the lead in the 69th minute with his 31st international goal. The Chelsea winger finished off a well-worked move involving Marlon Fossey, Ricardo Pepi, and Folarin Balogun.
However, the Americans’ celebrations were cut short in the 89th minute when New Zealand’s Ben Waine scored a fortuitous equalizer. A clearance attempt by U.S. defender Caleb Wiley deflected off teammate Mark McKenzie before bouncing off Waine and past goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Pochettino, who was not present in Cincinnati, is set to make his debut as U.S. head coach on October 12 against Panama in Austin, Texas, followed by a match against Mexico in Guadalajara on October 15.
The draw comes on the heels of a 2-1 loss to Canada in Kansas City on Saturday, marking the team’s third consecutive defeat. In that match, goalkeeper Patrick Schultze made five crucial saves, while substitutes Luca de la Torre scored his first international goal and Aidan Morris recorded his first assist for the national team.
Interim coach Mikey Varas made several changes to the lineup, including giving Marlon Fossey his national team debut on his 26th birthday. Fossey was involved in the build-up to Pulisic’s goal, finding Pepi with a pass on the right side of the box.
The match saw limited opportunities for both sides, with New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe making a crucial save to deny Balogun just a minute after Pulisic’s goal.
As the U.S. team looks ahead to Pochettino’s tenure, the draw against New Zealand serves as a reminder of the work that lies ahead. The new coach will be tasked with rebuilding the team’s confidence and tactical approach following recent disappointing results.
The appointment of Pochettino, known for his success with Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, signals a new era for U.S. soccer. Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how the Argentine manager shapes the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
