Minneapolis – For over a month, the narrative surrounding the US men’s national team has been filled with tension and discontent. Amidst the commotion, player Tyler Adams expressed his determination to maintain focus, stating, "Nothing will permeate my world." However, when faced with media inquiries and a stadium with numerous empty seats, the reality is hard to ignore. During the Gold Cup Group stage, despite having over 70,000 seats available, only about 45,000 were occupied across three matches.
Now, as they enter the knockout stage of the Gold Cup, the team has a pivotal chance to rectify past errors.
This presents an opportunity to write a new chapter. They navigated Group D with varying degrees of confidence, preparing to confront Costa Rica in the quarterfinals at US Bank Stadium on Sunday (7 PM, Fox/Univision). The semifinal potentially awaits against Canada in St. Louis, followed by a possible showdown with Mexico in Houston.
Each matchup promises to be a significant challenge, gradually testing this experimental USMNT, which has shown little thus far against lower-ranked opponents. In FIFA rankings, their three group stage adversaries were positioned at 100th, 58th, and 83rd, while ELO Ratings listed them at 99th, 66th, and 86th. Saudi Arabia, their toughest opponent, was also missing key players but still managed to limit the US to just one shot on goal from open play.
Costa Rica will pose a familiar obstacle, currently ranked between 54th and 47th globally. Despite experiencing a slump since the 2022 World Cup, they have shown signs of renewal under Mexican coach Miguel "Piojo" Herrera, aiming to disrupt the often sluggish US offense.
"The group stage was promising for the future," Tim Ream noted, "but this game will be exponentially more challenging." On paper, though, it’s a match that the US should win, even with a line-up possibly missing several starters.
Costa Rica’s defense is prone to mistakes, having allowed five or more expected goals against teams in Group A, including the Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Mexico. Their star striker, Manfred Ugard, is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas, although historically a formidable opponent, is no longer at his peak at age 38.
A loss for the US could tarnish their previously flawless group stage and mark the team’s poorest performance in the Gold Cup since 2000. The stakes are high: failure could hinder their position in future tournaments.
Though pressure exists, players like Adams, Ream, and Chris Richards are familiar with dealing with it. Adams, who is still adjusting to coach Mauricio Pochettino’s system, faced a rocky start with two losses in March and re-injured himself upon returning. He has since rejoined the starting lineup, aiming to help guide the team through the knockout phase.
He has emphasized the "incredible opportunity" this Gold Cup provides, both as a potential step toward World Cup selection and as a chance to reshape the team’s narrative. Defeating Costa Rica might not be enough to change the story, but a semi-final victory against Canada or a championship win over Mexico could undoubtedly redirect the trajectory of US soccer.
For fans, this tournament matters as it represents the national team’s chance to reclaim respect and prove they are capable of more on a global stage. How they perform in the knockout rounds could significantly influence public perception and enthusiasm for soccer in the United States, paving the way for future stars.
