Promotion and relegation are an accepted part of life in England and Europe.But the lack of a real threat of ‘going down’ in Major League Soccer is holding back the sport’s overall growth in the United States, according to the coach of the country’s World Cup team.MLS fans have never felt the joy of promotion like Coventry’s Frank LampardGettyUSMNT manager isn’t a fan of US soccer system“If you start in MLS and you haven’t won a game in three months and you’re at the bottom, what’s the consequence if there’s no promotion or relegation, no international competition?” former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochetinno recently told El Pais. “American sports reward losers! But soccer is different: If you reward those who don’t win … If you don’t have goals, you don’t fight. If I lose, what happens? Nothing. They just fire the coach.”Days removed from a thrilling 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open the 2026 World Cup that led to a spike in ticket prices, Pochettino suddenly found himself in a simmering MLS debate.“I mean he’s not wrong about you’re rewarded with the first draft pick,” one fan tweeted. “But Poch needs to S*** and just manage the USMNT.”Lionel Messi stars for Inter Miami in a league that’s estimated to be ranked 15th in the world.But the Messi Effect hasn’t led to a sport-changing popularity surge for MLS, which can’t compete when compared to the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga.Pochettino has challenged USMNT to embrace its inner fight and strive for ultimate competition during the World Cup. Starting roles were up for grabs during the build up to the 104-match tournament, as Pochettino attempted to remake how the USA’s best players view themselves and battle on the pitch.“I think one is that we’re American. We don’t take s***,” USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said. Pochettino pushes for more with USMNT“I think that’s something that (Pochettino) really put in. Even though he’s Argentinian, he has that mindset of, like, ‘Look, this is what we do, and this is who we are, and this is what America is about.’ Mauricio Pochettino slammed US soccer for having a soft systemgettyMLS has Messi but it’s not a top 10 league in the worldGetty Images“I think he just, even from an outside perspective, he showed us Americans what we’re about. He really drilled that into us, and I think that’s something that has helped us this last cycle.”USMNT played with speed, precision and aggression vs Paraguay, and will attempt to replicate that attack on Friday for a follow up vs Australia.But, big picture, Pochettino isn’t impressed with the overall competitive soccer system in the US. “The American player is disciplined,” Pochettino said. MLS reluctant to relegate because of cost“But with a sense of complacency that isn’t good in soccer. It took us a year and a half to change that mentality.”The NFL, NBA and MLB don’t have relegation.Coming to AmericaUSA has a golden opportunity to impress global football fans — don’t screw up the World CupHow the 1994 World Cup changed soccer in USA – from tourists in Italy to better than England and MLSRanking the World Cup venues – from New York to Los Angeles, a string of spectacular venues will play host to the 2026 World CupThe $9bn pitch built for Ronaldo’s last World Cup – ‘Forever’ grass, artificial sunlight and closed roofChris Richards Exclusive – the Crystal Palace defender opens up on his journey to the top, next stop a home World Cup for the kid from Birmingham, AlabamaMLS owners have long opposed it because of the costs of purchasing a team — the latest franchise fee was $500 million — and the lost value that would come with relegation. “No one’s making money in the football there, soccer there. So my worry is, does this last for another 10 years?” Brad Friedel, former USMNT and Premier League goalkeeper, exclusively told talkSPORT.“Because, I mean, how many billionaires are out there, billionaire consortiums, that are going to pay $500 million franchise fees? That’s why you see so many American owners coming over to Europe. Why? Because you own stadium, you own land, you own training ground. “And you’re not paying $500 mil upfront for a franchise fee system that, if everyone keeps losing money, what happens with the franchise fee eventually? It invariably is going to go down — unless they get the media rights deal. If they get the media rights deal, then everything will be great. It really will.”The highs and lows of promotion and relegationCoventry, Ipswich Town and Hull City were promoted from the Championship into the Premier League for the upcoming 2026-27 season.West Ham, Burnley and Wolverhampton were relegated to the Championship.West Ham felt the pain of being relegated from the Premier LeagueGettyA team can lose more than $100 million by dropping out of the Premier League, while a spying scandal involving Southampton highlighted the intense competitiveness surrounding promotion and relegation.Pochettino is primarily focused on beating Australia, then winning knockout games after USMNT successfully emerges from Group D.But a 54-year-old coach with an expiring USMNT contract knows which competitive system he prefers — and what is holding US soccer back.“We told them, ‘Guys, playing soccer is one thing, competing is another,’ ” Pochettino said. “They’re two completely different sports.”Coming to AmericaUSA has a golden opportunity to impress global football fans — don’t screw up the World CupHow the 1994 World Cup changed soccer in USA – from tourists in Italy to better than England and MLSRanking the World Cup venues – from New York to Los Angeles, a string of spectacular venues will play host to the 2026 World CupThe $9bn pitch built for Ronaldo’s last World Cup – ‘Forever’ grass, artificial sunlight and closed roofChris Richards Exclusive – the Crystal Palace defender opens up on his journey to the top, next stop a home World Cup for the kid from Birmingham, AlabamaAll 104 games at the 2026 World Cup this summer will be live on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app.Stay up to date on all things USMNT across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.