The United States national soccer team suffered a disappointing defeat, conceding four goals in the first half, as they were routed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly match held on Tuesday night in Nashville, Tennessee. This loss marks a troubling milestone for the Americans, who have now lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2007, raising concerns about their preparedness for next year's World Cup.
Switzerland took control of the match early, with Dan Ndoye scoring in the 13th minute. This was followed by Michel Aebischer's goal in the 23rd minute, Breel Embolo's strike in the 33rd minute, and Johan Manzambi's goal in the 36th minute. The U.S. team faced a barrage of attacks from Switzerland, leading to a rare occurrence where they conceded four goals by the 40th minute for the first time since November 9, 1980, against Mexico, and the first time ever in a home match, according to data from Opta.
With this defeat, the Americans have now lost four consecutive home games for only the third time in history, and the first time since 1988. The loss against Switzerland also extended the U.S. winless streak against European opponents to eight matches, dating back to 2021. As fans at Geodis Park expressed their frustration with loud boos, the U.S. team struggled to find their footing.
As the U.S. men's national team looks ahead to their Concacaf Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago this Sunday, their current record stands at 5-5 under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino took over following the team's disappointing first-round elimination at last year's Copa America, which led to the firing of previous coach Gregg Berhalter.
The loss to Switzerland came with notable absences in the squad. Key players such as Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, and Sergiño Dest were missing, many of whom are in the process of regaining fitness. Goalkeeper Matt Turner made his return to the pitch for the first time since March 23, while Brenden and Paxten Aaronson became the fourth set of brothers to start for the U.S., a historic moment not seen since George and Louis Nanchoff in 1979.
In a bid to turn the tide, Pochettino made nine changes to the lineup that faced Turkey in a previous match, retaining only Max Arfsten and midfielder Johnny Cardoso. The U.S. made five changes at halftime, bringing in new players in an attempt to salvage the game. Damion Downs made his debut in the 75th minute, adding to the roster changes.
This recent defeat serves as a critical wake-up call for the U.S. men's national team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to cohosted by the United States. With the Gold Cup approaching, the team will need to regroup and focus on improving their performance on the field.
