Co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup gave the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USMNT</a> a historic advantage. However, the team couldn’t capitalize on home turf, and Tab Ramos has weighed in on how far <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mauricio-pochettino/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mauricio Pochettino</a> and his squad fell short of expectations.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/our-expectations-for-the-usmnt-were-a-bit-higher-tab-ramos-on-world-cup-pochettino-mls-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">During an exclusive interview with Bolavip</a>, former U.S. midfielder Tab Ramos discussed the national team’s performance at the 2026 World Cup. He also analyzed the performances of the players, including <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/christian-pulisic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christian Pulisic</a>.



The three-time <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> veteran was critical of the Stars and Stripes for failing to fulfill expectations during a once-in-a-generation opportunity on home soil.



<h2>Tab Ramos critical of Mauricio Pochettino’s impact</h2>



In 2024, U.S Soccer made a landmark hire by appointing Mauricio Pochettino as head coach. His top-tier European experience convinced many that better days were on the horizon, but the results failed to break new ground.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/30114804/pochettino-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-669438"><figcaption>Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States.</figcaption></figure>



According to Ramos, Pochettino repeatedly asked fans and media to reserve judgment until the World Cup. Given Pochettino’s position as one of the world’s highest-paid international managers, merely matching the country’s standard Round of 16 exit was a disappointment.


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“In terms of the national team itself, I thought, in general, the national team had a good performance,” Ramos said. “I thought our first game against Paraguay was likely the best that any U.S. team has ever played at a World Cup, and I think that’s a very positive sign. However, in general, you have to judge the national team by results, and I think the results were just barely okay and really below the expectations.”



<h2>Analyzing the USMNT’s World Cup performance</h2>



Ramos backed his criticism with detailed tactical analysis rather than superficial claims. He pointed out that the team’s inconsistency during the tournament mirrored their form over the previous 18 months, making the early knockout departure a predictable outcome.



“Well, I mean, it seems like going to the Round of 16 is the norm for our country here, regardless of the coach that we have,” he said. “And so, because we brought in Mauricio Pochettino, and he’s one of the highest-paid national team coaches in the world and obviously he has incredible experience overseas, our expectations were a little bit higher than getting to the same place we always get.



“We waited for two years in the beginning of Pochettino’s era, as we didn’t get good results. He kept saying, ‘Well, we’ve got to wait for the World Cup. We have to wait for the World Cup.’ And we waited for the World Cup, but in the end, we ended up getting the same results as always. So, in general, I’d have to say this World Cup was below expectations.”



<h2>The criticism toward Christian Pulisic through the eyes of Tab Ramos</h2>



Christian Pulisic was among the marquee players who received the most criticism during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The AC Milan winger was unable to dominate matches to the extent fans had hoped, but Tab Ramos believes such scrutiny is entirely normal for a player of his standing.



“Well, I think criticism is fair. This is what this game is about, right? I’m sure there were some people who thought that because we played well in the first-round games that the full performance was good enough. And then there’s going to be people that are going to say, ‘Well, that’s not good enough. I think we got to the same place as other World Cups.’”

Tab Ramos critical of Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic as USMNT fell short of World Cup expectations

Tab Ramos critical of Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic as USMNT fell short of World Cup expectations - World Soccer Talk

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The national teams of South American countries compete in the Copa America. In it, the 11 CONMEBOL member countries compete against each other every four years. Moreover, occasional invited guest teams often round out the field.



Massive as it is, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/">2024 Copa America</a> will return to the US for the first time since 2016. But this isn’t just any old Copa. It will be the first time the tournament has ever been conducted on a regular basis outside of South America.



For these teams, this event ranks right up there with winning the World Cup as the pinnacle of honors. Comparable continental championships include the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">UEFA Euro</a> in Europe, the Gold Cup, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/africa-cup-of-nations-tv-schedule/">Africa Cup of Nations</a>, and others.



<h2>What did Tab Ramos say about USMNT’s Copa America chances?</h2>



According to many analysts, this is the last serious competition the national squad will face until the 2026 World Cup. A strong performance is crucial to boost morale and get the ball rolling towards the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a>.



Tab Ramos was a member of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> during two very distinct Copa Americas. Both occasions were one-of-a-kind for the ex-midfielder, widely regarded as one of the most gifted Americans of all time.



Ramos has outlined the exciting prospects fans and Gregg Berhalter’s squad can expect from the world’s oldest national team event.



“I think certainly there are no easy groups. If you look in general in the USMNT’s group you see Uruguay, obviously you can say the best team in the group, they will be one of the big favorites to win the tournament. It’s a tough game but one our national team needs to play”, he told <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/the-copa-america-defined-by-usmnt-legend-tab-ramos-20240119-BUS-98908.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolavip</a>.



“Then you look at Panama and Bolivia, Bolivia is not having a good moment right now. They’ll have a tough time. But Panama is probably in the best moment they have been in, in a long, long time. I think Panama won’t be an easy game for everyone in the group. It will be tough for Uruguay and tough for the US.



“Having said that, I think the US has to have the expectations to get out of that group, and then move on to play either Brazil or Colombia as first or second of the other group because we have known from Uruguay in the past, they get off to slow starts in the early rounds.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="439" height="481" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/16050407/image-15-439x481.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-484617" sizes="(max-width: 439px) 100vw, 439px"></figure></div><figcaption>Rumors are Messi will be at the Copa America</figcaption></figure>



<h2>High expectations and character test</h2>



“Getting Colombia or Brazil will be a huge test, and it will test the character of the team that we have, and I have said this before, I played in a Copa America where we came in fourth.



“I also helped coach in a Copa America where we also reached fourth, there not easy, and at times expectations can’t be that high, but I think with this group unfortunately they have to be that high. I think anything less than making it to the semifinals is falling short of where we want to be.



“This tournament will require us to upset teams and if you go back 30 years ago, we were doing just that, we were beating Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Portugal, we were winning these games. At some point, you have to start winning games you’re not supposed to win, and I think this summer, I am looking for our national team to do just that.



Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

USMNT great tells fans what to expect from Copa America

Tab Ramos has outlined the exciting prospects fans and the USMNT can expect from the world's oldest national team event, the Copa America.

USMNT great tells fans what to expect from Copa America - World Soccer Talk

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Tab Ramos critical of Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic as USMNT fell short of World Cup expectations

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USMNT great tells fans what to expect from Copa America