For Mauricio Pochettino, this international window feels a lot like a honeymoon — and for once, the U.S. Soccer honeymoon is being earned on the field. The USMNT has given its head coach plenty to celebrate, with a young generation stepping forward and showing that the future of American soccer may be closer than many expected. Teenagers and emerging players have been given opportunities, while Pochettino has shown a willingness to blend established stars with hungry young guns. The results have provided more than wins; they have provided a glimpse of what this next version of the USMNT could look like.

Perhaps the most encouraging storyline is the growing influence of Major League Soccer. MLS continues to provide Pochettino with a significant portion of his player pool, giving domestic-based players a genuine pathway into the national team. Young players developed through MLS academies and the league’s development system are now getting opportunities alongside Americans playing in Europe. That matters because Pochettino’s project cannot simply depend on finding the next American star overseas. If the U.S. is going to build sustained success, the domestic league has to be part of that foundation. The coach who once faced criticism for his appointment is now receiving praise for giving these young players the opportunity to prove they belong.

That criticism is worth remembering. When Pochettino was appointed, questions surrounded the decision: Was an internationally inexperienced national-team coach the right choice with a home World Cup approaching? Could his club-level methods translate to the international game? Could he develop the next generation while still producing results? For now, those questions have been replaced by optimism. But the honeymoon will not last forever. Now the expectation is high. Will Pochettino be able to maintain this form and move forward with his plan of being successful regionally while paving a path toward the ultimate goal — the 2030 World Cup? The wins are encouraging, the young guns are emerging, and MLS is proving it can supply the talent. The next challenge is turning this promising honeymoon into a lasting era.

Now the expectations are high. The honeymoon may be in full swing, but the real test is only beginning. Will Pochettino be able to maintain this form, continue developing the young guns and MLS talent, and turn this promising international window into sustained success? More importantly, will this relationship between Pochettino and the USMNT bear fruit beyond a decent World Cup and a successful international window — and ultimately grow into the healthy, long-term partnership capable of building a team that can compete for something bigger in 2030? For now, the signs are encouraging. The honeymoon is here. What comes next will determine whether it becomes a lasting relationship.