Mauricio Pochettino’s farewell as head coach of the United States men’s national team begins on Saturday, when the USMNT face Haiti in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal at Nu Stadium in Miami. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). U.S. Soccer announced on Friday that Pochettino will leave after the current camp to become head coach of Manchester United.
The two-legged tie is Pochettino’s final assignment. He will also lead the team in the second leg on Tuesday, November 17, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The aggregate winner advances to the Nations League Finals in March at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood and secures a place at the 2027 Gold Cup. Haiti are the nominal hosts on Saturday, but security concerns at home mean the match is played in Miami, where a large Haitian community is expected to give them loud support. (Read our guide to the quarterfinals: Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals: Eight Teams Chase Four Spots at SoFi Stadium.)
Pochettino was named USMNT head coach in September 2024 and compiled a record of 21 wins, 12 losses and two draws across 35 matches. Under his leadership, the United States reached the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final and advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, topping their group and earning the program’s first knockout-round victory since 2002. His three World Cup wins are the most by any head coach in USMNT history.
Beyond the results, U.S. Soccer credited Pochettino and his staff with raising standards, strengthening the connection between the youth national teams and the senior team, and broadening the player pool: 75 players earned at least one cap during his tenure, and 11 players under age 21 made their senior debuts in the most recent window. “The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honors of my career,” Pochettino said. “You will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will be supporting the teams whenever they step on the field.”
Steve Cherundolo will lead the team’s previously scheduled December camp, which will feature a primarily MLS-based roster, while U.S. Soccer searches for Pochettino’s successor. On the field, the U.S. welcome back Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie for the Haiti tie, while Sergiño Dest, Gio Reyna and George Campbell withdrew through injury. The Americans have not lost to Haiti since 1973.
Photo: U.S. Soccer
Source: U.S. Soccer, November 13, 2026
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