The U.S. men’s national soccer team is gearing up for the Concacaf Gold Cup under the leadership of new coach Mauricio Pochettino. Initially, this tournament was seen as a critical opportunity for player development and team cohesion as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. However, recent performances have raised concerns, as the team has not only suffered four consecutive losses—marking their worst streak in 18 years—but has also displayed troubling form on the field. The team’s recent 4-0 defeat to Switzerland in Nashville drew boos from the audience, a stark contrast to the support they had anticipated nine months into Pochettino’s tenure.
Center back Chris Richards addressed the team's current struggles, stating, “We understand it can’t keep going on like that for much longer. At some point, we have to just kind of buckle up and start to play better, start to win games while starting to improve.” The Gold Cup offers the U.S. a chance to reset, beginning with their Group D opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, followed by matches against tournament guest Saudi Arabia on Thursday in Austin and Haiti on June 22 in Arlington, Texas.
Complicating matters further, Pochettino is facing an off-field drama involving star player Christian Pulisic. Pulisic withdrew from Gold Cup consideration, citing the need for a break, a decision that sparked backlash from U.S. soccer legends like Landon Donovan. In response, Pulisic’s father, Mark, criticized Donovan, intensifying the public scrutiny surrounding the player. Following the disappointing performance against Switzerland, Pulisic shared vacation photos on social media, which prompted him to clarify his situation on a CBS Sports digital platform, asserting that Pochettino had rejected his proposal to participate solely in friendly matches.
During a recent press conference, Pochettino confirmed Pulisic’s account but emphasized the importance of sticking to the team's strategy. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the time,” he remarked. Pochettino, who has extensive experience both as a player and a coach, underscored his authority by stating, “I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.” This strong leadership is crucial as the team navigates through its current challenges.
Pulisic is not the only notable absence for the Gold Cup. Yunus Musah has withdrawn for personal reasons, while Antonee Robinson required surgery. Other players like Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are committed to the FIFA Club World Cup, and Folarin Balogun has sustained an injury. Sergiño Dest is also sidelined as he recovers from an ACL injury, further complicating Pochettino's roster decisions.
The U.S. men’s national team has a storied history in the Gold Cup, boasting a record of 69 wins, 9 losses, and 12 draws since 1991, along with seven titles and five second-place finishes. They have excelled in group play, with an impressive 40-1-5 record, the only loss occurring against Panama in 2011. However, given the current state of the team, expectations for an easy path to the Gold Cup final are tempered.
Despite recent setbacks, the team aims to use the tournament as a platform for redemption. Left back John Tolkin remarked, “We have a huge opportunity right now to change the narrative, set the focus toward the World Cup. And that’s to win this tournament.” After the Gold Cup, the U.S. will focus solely on friendly matches in preparation for the World Cup, making this tournament even more pivotal.
Defender Tim Ream expressed optimism, stating, “It’s a storm, and you can either run from it, hide from it, or put yourself out there again and say: ‘Okay, we’re going again. This is it. What are we doing to get better?’” The coaching staff and players remain committed to improving their performance. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former coach Gregg Berhalter, added, “We know we’re good enough. Everything is set up for us to do well.”
Prior to the disappointing loss against Switzerland, the Americans had also fallen to Turkey, indicating that even at full strength, they may struggle against quality European opponents. The team is currently winless in their last eight encounters with European teams, a fact that underscores the need for a strong showing in the Gold Cup to restore confidence.
With a younger, less-experienced roster selected for the summer activities, Pochettino's strategy is to build a foundation for the future. As Richards noted, “In the last few months, we’ve had a lot of people talking down on the team, which is okay. We love our fans. We love our haters as well. So we kind of take that and it gives us motivation to hopefully change the narrative.”
