Ryan Ohanlon
So, 2025, huh?
This year has been quite disappointing for American soccer fans as the US men’s national team is now competing on the same August-July calendar as club teams.
It began on a high note! Following a lackluster Copa América, the USMNT dismissed a coach that many fans disapproved of and brought in one of the world’s most renowned coaches, Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino, a coach who believes he deserves a decade with the team, claims he can bring out the best in players like me, yet he faces immense challenges.
He’s known for developing talented teams in the Premier League and managing elite superstars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar at PSG. Overall, his teams usually outperform their collective talent, but that trend hasn’t continued with the USMNT.
Under his guidance, the team has struggled to generate scoring opportunities. In the international league’s semi-finals against Panama, they faltered, and their performance in the third-place match against Canada was lackluster. Following a friendly loss to Türkiye and Switzerland, they barely defeated Costa Rica in the Gold Cup knockout round on penalties and faced a significant defeat against Mexico in the final.
To add to the drama, rumors of a feud between Pochettino and Christian Pulisic have emerged, especially since Pulisic didn’t see any playtime in the Gold Cup.
However, the reality in international soccer is that teams’ fortunes can fluctuate greatly. For example, Italy won the Euro 2020 yet missed the 2022 Men’s World Cup, while Argentina, after losing their initial match against Saudi Arabia, went on to win the World Cup.
Looking ahead, what needs to change for the USMNT before they co-host the World Cup next summer? Here’s a checklist for the USMNT leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
1. Get Everyone on the Same Page
When Pochettino was questioned about reintegrating European-based players following the loss to Mexico, he appeared vague and slightly frustrated. Given the disappointing results and his non-native command of English, it’s understandable that he struggled to articulate his thoughts.
Nonetheless, his primary responsibilities as the USMNT manager boil down to three things: first, identify a pragmatic style of play that maximizes the team’s talent; second, ensure that talent is effectively utilized; and third, broaden the player pool, particularly considering the number of dual nationals in the USMNT.
It was exciting to see fresh faces in the squad this summer, creating a sense of urgency among players who felt their futures with the national team were at stake. However, that energy can only take the team so far.
In three knockout games during the Gold Cup, the USMNT generated the following metrics:
• Non-penalty expected goals: 3.39
• Non-penalty expected goals allowed: 3.18
• Possession percentage: 44.4%
• Penalty area touches: 50
• Opponents’ penalty area touches: 72
These figures came against teams with an average FIFA ranking of 46th. With the USMNT positioned at 45th, it’s concerning that expectations are so much higher than these results indicate.
2. Prioritize Player Health
The so-called “golden generation” of American soccer hasn’t met expectations. While Pulisic has shown potential, he remains a “Champions League starter” at AC Milan. Similarly, Gio Reyna has struggled to make an impact over the last three years, whereas Tyler Adams has shifted from a promising midfielder to a more average player.
Tim Weah and Weston McKennie have shown some promise, but others, like Sergiño Dest, have taken steps backward. On the flip side, Antonee Robinson has exceeded expectations, emerging as one of the top left backs in the Premier League.
The main reason for the USMNT’s lackluster performance is that many key players are stuck at 50% of their potential. The reality is Dest remains at Barcelona, Adams is at Atletico Madrid, and Reyna is grappling with a lack of minutes despite his talent. Unfortunately, this is the current state of affairs.
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Robson: USMNT struggles at the World Cup
Stewart Robson believes USMNT could struggle at next year’s World Cup after his poor performance in the Gold Cup final.
Despite the challenges Pochettino faces, there are further complications for the USMNT as it prepares for the World Cup, especially considering that many players had significant moments in the last tournament. Out of the nine outfield players who participated in Qatar, only Richards and Reyna have moved on;
Players like Pulisic, Weah, Adams, McKennie, and Dest all had substantial tournament experience, which they will need again next summer. Their availability will be crucial in determining how well the team performs. Whether key players will be fit remains a significant question mark.
3. Create Offensive Pace and Space
Forget the focus on the father utilizing ChatGPT to assist his son or the head coach’s statement about being “not a mannequin.” The most peculiar aspect of Pochettino’s time has been his evaluation of Tim Weah’s positioning. In November, Pochettino observed:
“Do we all have dominant eyes? And depending on your body shape, whether you are comfortable or not, where is the line, what is the goal, what is your position when you receive the ball… Always, we try to check because we need to understand the player.”
Under Pochettino, the significant roster change was Weah’s switch from the right to the left. Even though this might seem a strategic move for a winger accustomed to cutting inside with his strong right foot, Pochettino claims it relates more to Weah’s style of play.
This adjustment has changed the team’s dynamics. Weah, known more for running wide than being a direct goalscorer, has seen minimal impact in front of goal, scoring just eight times in the last four seasons. His previous role included stretching the field on the right under Greg Berhalter, especially prominent during matches like the opening game against Wales in Qatar.
Under Berhalter, Weah averaged 0.27 touches per 90 minutes. Pochettino’s USMNT, however, completed 14 key passes, none of which found Weah.
Most of these key passes instead reached Patrick Agyemang, whose ability to stretch the field plays a pivotal role in moving the ball effectively. However, Agyemang’s presence hasn’t significantly impacted scoring opportunities.
Pochettino must optimize the attacking lineup to ensure the US effectively utilizes its horizontal and vertical playing space, consequently maximizing scoring chances against tougher opponents.
4. Get Matt Turner on the Field
While it’s unclear how effective Matt Turner will be as a shot stopper these days, his past performances in MLS establish him as one of the league’s top goalkeepers. The other USMNT keepers presently don’t measure up to Turner’s previous standards.
Matt Freeze performed admirably in the Gold Cup, even excelling during a shootout against Costa Rica. He could serve as a strategic option for the World Cup, similar to Tim Krull’s impact with the Netherlands in 2014.
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Adams & Tillman praise “incredible” Freese after penalty heroic
Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman talk after USMNT’s penalty shootout victory vs. Costa Rica in the Gold Cup.
As for choices like Zach Steffen and Patrick Schulte, their performances in higher-stakes matches remain uncertain. Given the pivotal role goalkeepers play, they are among the most critical players on the pitch, especially during high-pressure tournaments like the World Cup.
The outcome can significantly affect a team’s progression, transforming a group-stage exit to a run into the quarterfinals with a few pivotal saves.
The real question is whether Turner will see consistent playing time. He’s expected to join Lyon, provided their financial situation resolves itself, which is still up in the air. Lyon already has an impressive young goalkeeper, Lucas Peri, which complicates Turner’s potential impact unless Peri were to leave.
5. Strengthen the Midfield
One of the USMNT’s competitive advantages during the last World Cup was a strong midfield trio featuring McKennie, Adams, and Musa. This combination allowed the US to dominate possession and effectively challenge opponents like England and the Netherlands.
While McKennie and Musa were absent from this summer’s Gold Cup, Adams did participate. The US struggled to control tempo against both Costa Rica and Guatemala, ultimately failing to dictate play.
Adams wasn’t the only one underwhelming; Sebastian Berhalter’s set-piece takedowns provided one critical goal, but overall, his influence was limited. Luca de la Torre could be effective, but his skill set is more suited for a supporting role rather than dictating the game.
Yet, Adams had notable struggles. According to Stats Perform’s expected possession value model, he actually diminished the scoring potential when passing. He recorded a total of negative 0.09 expected possession value throughout the tournament—worse than any other player on the field.
Moreover, Johnny Cardoso, linked with Atletico Madrid, had minimal Gold Cup involvement, and other European-based options like Tanner Tessman, Aidan Morris, and Gianluca Busio weren’t included in the roster.
There might be a scenario where Reyna returns to full fitness, but he too struggled to find the field, playing just 12 minutes in the Club World Cup. Malik Tillman, recently signed with Bayer Leverkusen, has emerged as a potential midfield option, although he fits more into an attacking role than a traditional midfielder.
Once a clear strength, the midfield now seems like an uncertain area for the starting eleven. Despite the variety of talent available, it’s a challenge for Pochettino to manage the situation effectively.
Fan Take: The struggles of the USMNT highlight the critical need for consistent player performance and team synergy as the World Cup approaches. With high expectations from fans, the path ahead will significantly shape the future of soccer in the United States, influenced by how well the team responds to these challenges.
