USMNT looking for optimism in Gold Cup

A year out from hosting the World Cup and 10 games into Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as head coach, the U.S. men’s national team has yet to generate real optimism. Their Gold Cup roster for this summer’s tournament is missing most of the team’s stars, and recent friendly losses to Turkey and Switzerland prior to the competition have only heightened the pressure. 

The U.S. opens its Gold Cup campaign on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago. Heading into the summer, it seemed like the tournament would offer Pochettino a chance to get an extended look at his team, something he has not been able to do yet. However, Weston Mckennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are unavailable due to the Club World Cup, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, and Folarin Balogun are out with injury, and Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah pulled out for rest and personal reasons. As a result, Pochettino’s squad is light on experience and depth, bringing new opportunities but also significant risks.

The June friendlies exposed the U.S.’s vulnerabilities. Against Turkey, the Americans struck first through Jack McGlynn in the opening minute, but slowly faded and individual errors cost them the lead by halftime. A narrow loss to a quality opponent did not induce panic, but the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Switzerland came close. Pochettino rotated his side heavily, and this side looked out of their depth. Once again, there were individual mistakes, but the team looked uncoordinated and bewildered as Switzerland scored four in the first 36 minutes. After five halftime subs and a change in shape, the second half brought a few bright sparks and some solid defending, but the damage was done. 

These games do not accurately represent how the USMNT stands up to solid European competition; Pochettino’s side was missing over half of their likely starters. Those absences also bring concerns, especially due to other squad members not stepping up to fill their shoes. Midfielders Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman both had wonderful seasons in Europe for Real Betis and PSV respectively, but neither has replicated their club form for the national team. They’re likely to feature regularly alongside Tyler Adams throughout the Gold Cup, which will be a great opportunity to push absent midfielders Musah and Mckennie for a place in Pochettino’s top XI. 

Since the 2022 World Cup, the nation has been searching for a reliable, consistent striker. In 2023, Balogun looked poised to be that player, but injuries and inconsistency after his move to Monaco have stalled his development. Ricardo Pepi scored 18 goals for PSV this season, but he too is injured and will miss this summer’s tournament. Josh Sargent was left off the roster, leaving Pochettino to rely upon Patrick Agyemang, Brian White, Damion Downs, and Haji Wright. Downs is the most intriguing option, scoring 10 goals for FC Köln this season while helping them achieve promotion back into the Bundesliga. Agyemang has started the most games for Pochettino amongst these forwards, but the competition for minutes is truly wide open.

At the back, Chris Richards is the only player on this summer’s roster who can feel secure about his place within the team. He has excelled in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, and should bring much needed leadership and calmness to the Gold Cup squad. When healthy, Dest and Robinson are penciled in at the fullback positions, but finding depth behind them would be a bonus for Pochettino. More importantly, he will be looking for someone to partner Richards at center back. Tim Ream was outstanding in the last World Cup cycle, but at 37 he may not be able to handle the physical demands. Walker Zimmerman, Mark Mckenzie, and Miles Robinson are the other options for this summer, with Cameron Carter-Vickers being left off. Matt Turner remains the presumptive starter in goal, but his performances have dipped recently, leaving more questions about the defensive solidity.

Pochettino’s resume is greater than any previous USMNT coach. He has won league titles, developed young players, and his teams have played some stunning soccer. In 10 games with the U.S, he has five wins and five losses. Coaches are judged on how they can make a team greater than the sum of their parts. The U.S may not be favorites at the Gold Cup, but they are good enough to win it and it is Pochettino’s responsibility to construct the right environment tactically and mentally to push the team forward. Recent results are not entirely his fault, he has been dealt a difficult hand, but he does have more to prove.

Even without some big names on the Gold Cup roster, the U.S still has plenty of talent. Adams, Cardoso, and Tillman make up a midfield of players who have proven themselves for multiple seasons in Europe. Diego Luna is a maverick creator in the MLS, Brendan Aaronson has come up with big goals for the national team before, and his brother Paxten is coming off an eight-goal four-assist campaign for Utrecht in the Eredivisie. There is ability, but cohesion is needed.

The next 13 months will shape the future of American men’s soccer. After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the USMNT were on an upward trajectory until last year’s Copa America group stage exit. In an ideal world, the whole squad would be together this summer, but that is not the case, so everyone must adapt and make the best of the situation. Established players need to bring leadership and security, some young prospects have to bring a spark, and the coaching staff has to show they can unite the program. The clock is ticking on a historic opportunity.