Before the Gold Cup final on Sunday, there was a notable wave of optimism surrounding the U.S. Men`s National Team, perhaps the highest it had been in over a year. This positive atmosphere stemmed from the work put in over five weeks and eight matches under coach Mauricio Pochettino with a largely new-look squad. Several fresh players had seized their opportunities, but the subsequent 2-1 loss to perennial rivals Mexico in the final quickly tempered that initial hope, suggesting the optimism might have been premature.
Pochettino`s relatively young team saw several individuals shine during the tournament. Malik Tillman and Diego Luna particularly capitalized on their chances throughout the past month, while Chris Richards continued his strong form for both club and country. Sebastian Berhalter and Matt Freese also played their way into contention for a potential spot on the World Cup squad next year, which was a key individual goal for many participants. The team began the final encouragingly; Berhalter`s precise set piece cross enabled Richards to head in the opening goal just four minutes in, mirroring a successful play from the group stage match against Saudi Arabia.
However, the defeat against Mexico served as a clear signal that the improvements seen over the previous month are just the initial phase of the significant progress required before the World Cup. The team looked strongest when facing opponents they were expected to beat – a necessary step for a side that had struggled against diverse competition in the past year. Reaching the next tier means performing at a high level against top rivals like Mexico, especially with a trophy on the line before the major tournament. Despite scoring first, the required performance level in the final did not materialize.
In nearly all aspects of the Gold Cup final, the USMNT were outplayed by Mexico, who quickly took control after conceding the early goal. The U.S. side struggled to cope with Mexico`s offensive intensity, being significantly outshot (16 to 6) and trailing in expected goals (1.26 to 0.64). Pochettino`s tactics appeared unusually cautious – a contrast to his reputation for leading dynamic, attacking teams in Europe – and the team seemed unable to react effectively, suggesting that an inexperienced roster simply wasn`t ready for this level of challenge. Concerningly, these tactical and performance issues weren`t limited to the final match.
The team`s defense had shown vulnerability throughout the tournament, almost costing them against a surprising Guatemala side in the semifinal win. Similarly, inconsistency in dominating the midfield was evident in their group stage matches. A further concern from the final is that established players struggled alongside the new faces; likely future starters like center backs Chris Richards and Tim Ream, and midfielder Tyler Adams (whose passing was not sharp against Mexico), were also found wanting. Even previous standouts like Tillman and Luna couldn`t replicate their earlier impact in the final.
Despite the final loss, the outcome doesn`t negate the significant positives from the summer. Pochettino`s strategy to evaluate a broader range of players proved effective; Tillman and Luna have genuinely pushed for starting roles, and Berhalter`s set-piece skill alongside Freese`s penalty saves have put them in consideration for the World Cup squad. Given that this was primarily a group of players on the fringes of the main team, failing to win the Gold Cup isn`t entirely unexpected – pre-tournament sentiment was so low that even reaching the final wasn`t a certainty. While winning the trophy was the main goal, gaining a clearer understanding of the available player pool was also a crucial objective, and in that sense, the summer was productive.
The tournament provided valuable insights into the team`s current state and individual capabilities for the first time since the 2022 World Cup exit. This sets up an intriguing final year of competition for roster spots. The real test of the USMNT`s potential for the World Cup will come later this year when the Gold Cup discoveries are integrated with key established players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Upcoming matches, such as the September friendlies against strong opponents like South Korea and Japan, will offer a more realistic gauge of the team`s readiness and abilities.
The USMNT`s Gold Cup campaign could be seen as a partial redemption arc, though a complex one. While the previous widespread pessimism has lessened, the challenge remains for Pochettino and his staff to find the right tactical and personnel balance. Pochettino has sometimes been criticized for his in-game management, specifically the timing and effectiveness of substitutions needed to alter match tempo. However, expanding the player pool was a necessary step to provide him with more options to address these issues. The positive identification of several promising players exiting the Gold Cup might not guarantee success next year, but it significantly improves the chances of this squad fulfilling its potential, even if expectations should remain measured.
Dominic Ashworth