CARSON, California – Third-place matches can vary in importance depending on the tournament and how a team arrives at this stage. However, the U.S. men`s national team is clear about their objective for Sunday`s game against Canada: to move past their unexpected defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal.
The loss on Thursday added to a series of underwhelming results for the USMNT over the past year, raising concerns about the team`s mindset and their ability to reach their potential as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Criticism has come from both outside and within the team, with coach Mauricio Pochettino and players acknowledging a lack of competitive sharpness – an assessment midfielder Tyler Adams still agrees with.
`I would criticize us too, you know?` Adams stated on Saturday. `If we want recognition, we need to give people reasons to praise us.`
The first step to address this issue was a team meeting led by Pochettino.
`We had a great meeting the other day,` winger Timothy Weah recounted, `where he explained we must have a killer mentality and be fully committed. We need to fight and work together, and for me, the ultimate goal is always positive, so we have to strive for that.`
Since Thursday`s defeat, numerous discussions, both formal and informal, have occurred, prompting players to honestly evaluate their shortcomings.
`When playing teams considered weaker, there`s a tendency to lose some edge because you expect an easier game,` Weah admitted. This echoed Pochettino`s view, who felt the issue wasn`t solely with the players.
Pochettino Urges Greater Intensity
`Perhaps it`s about feeling the same urgency as when we play for our clubs,` Pochettino suggested. `When we lose there, it has consequences. Maybe that sense isn`t always present here. It`s not that you don`t care, but perhaps you take it less seriously. I think we all felt that eventually, an opportunity would arise, we`d score, win, and reach the final. That was the feeling on the field, among the players and us. But that`s the wrong approach. You need to score, be aggressive, proactive, score multiple goals and then you can relax a bit at the end. But initially, the problem was wasting the first 45 minutes. We improved in the second half, but ultimately, we paid the price in the final moments due to our relaxed start.`
Pochettino also attributed Thursday`s problems to the team`s newness with the coaching staff. The Panama game was only Pochettino`s seventh leading the USMNT, and many players haven`t consistently attended training camps due to injuries or scheduling conflicts during the MLS January camp. He believes the team might have been too focused on correctly following instructions rather than seizing spontaneous opportunities during the game.
`It`s like we`re playing without aiming to score, right? The main goal is to score,` he remarked with a slight laugh. `This balance sometimes happens when you`re beginning to build something – wanting to be dominant. You need good positioning to support the structure, but once the structure is in place and there`s a chance, you need to accelerate, attack, and be aggressive. That`s what we lacked.`
The players recognize this missing element as the competitive edge Pochettino believes is crucial for his tactics, and they aim to compete fiercely against a dynamic Canada team.
Adams: `We Must Raise Our Standards`
`You have to match that intensity against anyone in Concacaf, not just Canada,` Adams emphasized. `Panama is a perfect example. It`s not just about matching it; we need to raise the bar. We need to set the standard in every game and not wait to react to the opponent’s first move, because sometimes you can get knocked out early. There shouldn`t need to be extra motivation for any game, regardless of whether it`s for third, fourth, or any place. We`re representing our country, and that should be the wake-up call for everyone.`
Weah believes the Canada game could be an initial indication of the USMNT`s potential if they realize the promise they`ve shown for years – hopefully in time for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
`I think games like Panama highlight the need for changes,` Weah said. `It’s another learning experience for us to improve. With the new coach, it’s great to work on his objectives because he’s a top coach, and every player is excited to be here and work with him. I think we will develop under him. In the next year or so before the World Cup, you`ll see a very different team. He’s going to get the best out of us, and moments like the Panama game, while negative, are positive for us to fine-tune and fix things for growth.`
Dominic Ashworth