Heading towards the 2026 World Cup, the United States Men's National Team struggles to secure victory in matches
In a troublesome turn of events, the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is far from impressing one year before the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. This highly anticipated international tournament was expected to boost the reputation of men's soccer in the United States and showcase the nation's capabilities against top-tier global competitors.
However, recent results suggest that the World Cup may end up as a humiliating disappointment rather than a shining moment for US soccer. Popping the balloon of excitement was the team's 4-0 loss against Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville, a defeat that came before halftime and left the audience booing at Geodis Park. Of course, Switzerland is a formidable side with numerous star players, but it's a level the US needs to handle if they have any chance of progressing beyond the group stage.
The string of defeats extends beyond Switzerland, as the US has yet to claim a victory in its last eight games against European opposition, prolonging a four-match losing streak in all competitions. Despite the bleak picture painted by these results, head coach Mauricio Pochettino took the blame for his questionable lineup choices, including debuting Nathan Harriel, Quinn Sullivan, and Sebastian Berhalter, son of former head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Since his appointment last year, Pochettino has faced mounting pressure, initially considered among the best managers in world soccer with a track record at Tottenham Hotspur, Paris-Saint Germain, and Chelsea. Following his selection as US manager, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker expressed confidence in Pochettino as "the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad." However, the USMNT's uneven performance under Pochettino has been cause for worry, with a dismal 5-5 record since he took over from Berhalter, including some underwhelming performances, such as a defeat to Panama.
Notably, former US striker Clint Dempsey expressed his concerns in April, giving the team a six or seven out of 10 in terms of worry levels. Meanwhile, legendary coach Bruce Arena has openly questioned whether Pochettino is the right man for the job, citing his lack of familiarity with the team, environment, and culture of US soccer. But, players such as experienced defender Walker Zimmerman have tried to maintain a positive outlook, stating that there's still time to turn things around before the World Cup.
As the team prepares for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a competition the US has won seven times, they'll face Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti in their group games. With several key players out due to injury, club commitments, or fatigue, the team's preparation for the tournament couldn't be worse. To make matters more challenging, the US will be without star player Christian Pulisic and the influx of crucial game time together on the pitch before the World Cup.
In a bid to address these issues and spur a comeback for the team, Pochettino has emphasized the difficulties presented by the lack of time with his full squad and called it a "massive challenge" to prepare for the World Cup. For a coach who has faced criticism for his recent excuses regarding the team's performances, such statements may only fuel the fire of those who doubt his ability to lead the USMNT to success in the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, with 12 months remaining before the tournament, there is still hope that the team can find a winning formula that lives up to the high expectations set upon them.
The USMNT's dismal performance, evident in their loss to Switzerland and their unbroken losing streak against European opposition, has raised concerns about their preparedness for the 2026 World Cup, making it possible that the tournament could be a humbling experience instead of a shining moment for US soccer. In an effort to rectify the situation, coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged his questionable lineup choices and emphasized the challenges posed by the lack of time with his full squad.
