Despite a disappointing end to the recent international break for the US Men`s National Team, there`s a silver lining. They will have more opportunities to prove that the losses to Panama and Canada were just minor setbacks, not signs of bigger problems before the World Cup.
Typically, the summer between major tournaments is a break for key USMNT players, with the Gold Cup happening in years between the Nations League and the World Cup. However, this summer might be different. Since the United States, Canada, and Mexico are hosting the 2026 World Cup and automatically qualified, they won`t participate in the usual World Cup qualifying matches in June.
Without these competitive qualifying games and with Concacaf schedules full until the World Cup, this summer is crucial for the USMNT. It`s their best chance to compete against strong teams before the lead-up to the World Cup. U.S. Soccer seems aware of this, scheduling summer friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before the Gold Cup.
Facing tough opponents is a good test and suggests the USMNT might bring their top team to the Gold Cup, instead of a squad of primarily domestic players. Unlike club soccer, international management lacks consistent training time. For example, a manager like Mauricio Pochettino needs extended time with his squad to maximize their potential.
They only had three days of training before the Nations League games, compared to players in the January camp who had weeks with the coach. With a friendly on June 7 and the Gold Cup final on July 6, Pochettino could have a month with the team if the USMNT reaches the final. This is a critical period for World Cup preparation, especially with Saudi Arabia invited to the Gold Cup.
The USMNT could face up to eight teams in the FIFA top 60 rankings and is guaranteed to play at least two in the top 30. Having the players together for a significant time while playing top-level opposition is a valuable opportunity for learning and growth.
Their defense looked disorganized against Canada, and the only way to fix such issues is through playing together and practicing. Pochettino would also have time to work through mistakes and help the team develop new strategies, like breaking down strong defensive formations. Pochettino mentioned that teams building towards a World Cup often don`t fully click until closer to the tournament. He urged fans to remain optimistic and avoid negativity.
The best way to ease concerns is by winning and playing well. This long summer window offers the USMNT a chance to demonstrate improvement. They clearly showed a need for growth during the Nations League, and a summer without club commitments could be exactly what they need to overcome their recent poor performances.
Dominic Ashworth