CINCINNATI – The Mauricio Pochettino era cannot start soon enough.

The United States men’s national team concluded the September international period with a disappointing 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Tuesday. It was a game the U.S. largely controlled, taking a deserved lead in the 69th minute thanks to an 11-pass sequence expertly completed by substitute Christian Pulisic.

And then, as has happened so often in this brutal summer for the USMNT, they couldn’t seal the deal, conceding a goal in bizarre fashion. Caleb Wiley failed to clear a long ball in the 89th minute, and Mark McKenzie’s attempted clearance ricocheted off New Zealand striker Ben Waine and flew over a helpless Matt Turner into the US goal.

The result against a team the U.S. should have easily beaten in front of a two-thirds-capacity TQL Stadium was a fitting end to a brutal three-month stretch. Including two preseason games for the Copa America, the USMNT won just once during that time, a 2-0 victory over an inferior Bolivian team. Overall, the U.S. team finished 1-4-2. It’s the end of a chapter that the players will not look back on with fondness.

“We didn’t have that killer instinct in the final third,” Turner said. “Something was missing, something was missing. We couldn’t really decide the game in the moments we had it. And then there’s that crazy goal. And that sums up where the program is right now.”

All the more reason to look forward. Earlier in the evening, it was announced that Pochettino had finally been named as the next U.S. coach after a lengthy saga last month. That alone was cause for loud celebration. Players were informed last Sunday that Pochettino was likely coming on board. On Tuesday, they were informed that the time has come. Finally, the USMNT will have the high-profile coach fans have been yearning for. Perhaps for the first time this World Cup cycle, there is reason to look forward with optimism. The players seem ready to embrace change.

“We need to take a big step forward,” Pulisic said. “I think we have the quality and now it’s time to step up and try to win. So that’s the next step.”

This meant that the following game had the feel of the last day of school, especially with a new headteacher in Pochettino’s place. The past cannot be undone and all the players look like they could benefit from a fresh start.

Admittedly, this was by no means the US team’s top lineup. Players such as Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Tyler Adams were not in the squad for various fitness and health reasons. Pulisic started the game on the bench but was substituted in the second half.

But the auditions for the jobs have begun. You can bet Pochettino was watching somewhere, probably from a hotel in New York where he will be officially unveiled on Friday. There didn’t seem to be too many performances that stood out. Every smart move was undone by a bad one, or at least a puzzling one.

The USA certainly showed more fighting spirit than in their 2-1 loss to Canada three days ago. It was the first time in 67 years that the USA had lost on home soil to their northern neighbors. Aside from the occasional slip-up – such as when Yunus Musah gave Matthew Garbett a clear chance in the second minute – the USMNT had the majority of possession. Ricardo Pepi scored what appeared to be a goal in the 20th minute, but it was disallowed for a foul during the build-up.

However, Aidan Morris probably showed more than most, playing a key role in the sequence that led to Pulisic’s goal. And with Tyler Adams’ ongoing injury problems, Morris’ development will be a talking point going forward. But he was not immune to mistakes either, including a ill-judged tackle in the 56th minute that sparked a counterattack from New Zealand.

Turner also made the most of his start, making sharp saves when needed. Given his struggles to get game time at club level, even after his loan move to Crystal Palace, he will take the positives wherever he can find them.

But the most positive thing about the evening was that now that Pochettino’s appointment is official, everyone can look forward, even if his arrival and future prospects are not yet completely clear. Speculation about the manager’s status will be reduced to zero. Pochettino is the man for the foreseeable future. The scramble for playing time can begin, especially given Pochettino’s reputation, where nothing is guaranteed for anyone.

When players were asked what Pochettino could change immediately, culture was mentioned more than once, although it’s difficult to give a definition. When asked to elaborate on what “culture” means, Pulisic said: “I mean, just that winning mentality. It’s just something that’s missing. I can’t explain it to you exactly.”

Defender Marlon Fossey, making his USMNT debut, went a step further.

“The way people turn up to training every day, the standards on the football pitch,” he said. “(Pochettino) has been around some of the best players in the world, so I think he can pass that on to us and hopefully take us to a new level.”

Turner recalled facing Pochettino’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with Nottingham Forest last season and winning 1-0, but he also recalled the development this season for Chelsea and Pochettino.

“He got a lot out of that Chelsea team last year. The boys played well,” Turner said of Pochettino. “They played freely, they had a bit of possession, but mostly they were just tactically good all over the pitch. They were in positions where they could be successful. And I think that was probably their biggest strength.”

“It took time. It wasn’t like he just snapped his fingers when he got there and everything was better. Chelsea struggled at the start of the season but by the end of the season they were a team you definitely didn’t want to play against.”

There was a time when that was the ethos of the USMNT. Not anymore. If Pochettino can bring that ethic to the team, it would be a positive first step. And would help put the memories of the summer of 2024 behind them.