The U.S. Men's National Team's current success in the World Cup, including their Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, has been significantly influenced by the vision and financial backing of two prominent figures: Scott Goodwin and Ken Griffin. Their involvement began to coalesce in mid-2024, aiming to reshape the direction of the U.S. men's soccer program.
Scott Goodwin, a successful businessman, was prompted to action after witnessing the U.S. team's 2-1 loss to Panama in a Copa América match on June 27, 2024, which was marred by a red card infraction by forward Tim Weah. This performance, coupled with broader concerns about the program's direction under then-head coach Gregg Berhalter, spurred Goodwin to initiate a conversation that would ultimately lead to significant changes.
Goodwin connected with former high school rival Kyle Martino, Alecko Eskandarian (a former college teammate of Martino and an MLS executive), and Sean Feeney, a former colleague. Initially, Goodwin expressed interest in hiring a decorated European manager like Jürgen Klopp, but Eskandarian noted the prohibitive cost. Goodwin then offered to personally fund the coach's salary. Following this, he identified Mauricio Pochettino as an ideal candidate.
Securing Pochettino
By July 10, 2024, Goodwin had proposed Pochettino as the "perfect option" to his contacts. This led to a meeting with U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson, where Batson outlined his vision for the organization, drawing parallels to the impact Emma Hayes had on the U.S. Women's National Team. Goodwin was impressed by the long-term plan, which included unifying the youth system and appointing a strong leader.
About a month after their meeting, Batson confirmed an agreement with Pochettino and sought Goodwin's support. Goodwin agreed to contribute financially, discovering that his commitment extended beyond the head coach's salary to include assistant coaches, trainers, and analysts. To cover the remaining costs, Goodwin reached out to Ken Griffin, a financier he knew from South Florida. Griffin had previously demonstrated his commitment to soccer development through an $8 million donation to the U.S. Soccer Foundation for the construction of 100 mini-pitches in Chicago and Miami-Dade County.
Pochettino was officially hired in September 2024, reportedly with a salary of approximately $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in U.S. soccer history. While the team's progress has faced challenges, with Pochettino's methods and results sometimes questioned, the team is now positioned in the World Cup Round of 32.
Navigating American Culture
Beyond financial support, Goodwin also played a role in helping Pochettino understand American sports culture. Following a decisive 5-1 friendly victory over Uruguay in November 2025, which lacked several key American players due to club commitments and injuries, Pochettino expressed frustration during a press conference. He struggled to comprehend why reporters focused on absent players rather than the team's significant achievement against a highly ranked opponent.
Goodwin explained that soccer in the U.S. operates within an entertainment-driven culture, distinct from the more fervent, religion-like soccer culture in other parts of the world. To illustrate the concept of national unity and inspiration, Goodwin recommended Pochettino watch the movie "Miracle," which chronicles the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.
Pochettino's viewing of the film had a profound impact. He was particularly struck by a quote from assistant coach Craig Patrick to head coach Herb Brooks: "We're not looking for the best players, Craig, we're looking for the right players." According to Goodwin, Pochettino shared this moment with him, reportedly in tears, and it contributed to his growing understanding of American sports dynamics.
This cultural insight helped Pochettino foster a stronger team culture, moving away from the previous player-driven dynamic towards a more coach-led approach. Goodwin observed that Pochettino now commands respect without alienating players, fostering a sense of national pride evident in the team's engagement, such as singing the national anthem. The coach's participation in singing "Country Roads" at a recent game, according to Goodwin, signifies his assimilation into American sports culture. 
