The coach who energized U.S. soccer at the World Cup is on the verge of leaving for a job in England

Mauricio Pochettino brought life to the United States' soccer team during the World Cup. The Americans climbed into the knockout stages with exciting soccer and enthusiastic crowds, singing "Country Roads" and drawing record television audiences. Pochettino, a former Argentina player, coached in some of Europe's biggest leagues and was at the heart of the growing passion behind the team in a nation with little soccer success.

Even though the U.S. lost in the round of 16, Pochettino signed a four-year extension to lead a group of talented players into the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. However, the news broke that Pochettino was closing in on a deal to become the new manager of Manchester United in England's Premier League, just two days before the U.S. national team began Concacaf Nations League play against Haiti.

The coach's departure could be a significant blow to the U.S. team, which has never had a national team coach with players ranked among the top 100 in the world.