The U.S. men’s national soccer team finds itself under immense pressure as the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. With the prestigious tournament set to be hosted largely in the United States, anticipation should be building. However, the current sentiment surrounding the team feels more like doom and gloom than excitement or optimism.
Recent performances have left both fans and pundits disheartened, leading to intensified scrutiny. A series of disappointing losses has tarnished the team’s reputation, compounded by escalating tensions between star player Christian Pulisic and the newly appointed high-profile coach, Mauricio Pochettino.
Veteran defender Tim Ream commented on the current climate, describing it as “a storm.” He emphasized the need for the team to confront the negativity head-on rather than hide from it.
Last year’s Copa America tournament saw the U.S. suffer an embarrassing group stage elimination, which ultimately led to the firing of coach Gregg Berhalter. The hiring of Pochettino in the fall sparked some optimism, but the team has since experienced a troubling four-game losing streak—their first since 2007.
Defeats to Panama and Canada in March were followed by a narrow one-goal loss to Türkiye and a 4-0 thrashing by Switzerland just last week. These are precisely the types of formidable teams the U.S. is expected to defeat to progress in next year’s World Cup.
Defender Walker Zimmerman acknowledged the shortcomings, stating, “Some of our performances have fallen short over the past year to 18 months. It’s something that, us as players, we obviously aren’t satisfied with.”
Adding to the team’s woes, several key players have missed recent matches due to injury. Notable absences include Sergiño Dest, while Weston McKinnie and Tim Weah were not available as their club teams prioritized participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, the absence of Christian Pulisic stands out. The 26-year-old star, who is often viewed as the face of the USMNT, opted to sit out this summer’s matches to focus on rest.
This decision did not sit well with many in the soccer community, including former national team player Landon Donovan. While commentating on the UEFA Nations League Final, Donovan criticized players for taking vacations instead of participating in the Gold Cup, indirectly calling out Pulisic’s absence.
Pulisic later addressed the issue during an appearance on the CBS Sports Golazo America podcast. He explained that he felt a risk of injury loomed if he continued to play through the summer and that he aimed to make the best decision for both himself and his team in the long term.
“I did want to be part of at least the two friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland,” Pulisic noted. “I did speak with the coaches, and I did ask to be part of the team in whatever capacity they could. They said no.”
At a subsequent press conference, Pochettino reacted decisively to the growing drama. He reaffirmed his authority as coach, stating, “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.”
Pochettino added that players would have to earn their places on the World Cup roster through performance, not merely express their desires to be included.
The team, amid this ongoing turbulence, has found itself in a chaotic environment. John Tolkin, a young defender who recently made his fifth international appearance, commented on the overwhelming effect of media scrutiny.
“What you see online, all that media, all the opinions, it’s impossible this day not to see it,” Tolkin remarked.
With Pulisic and other veterans sidelined, younger players are seizing the opportunities to showcase their talents for potential inclusion in the World Cup roster. The ongoing Gold Cup presents a critical stage for these players.
This summer’s edition of the Gold Cup features national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Saudi Arabia. The U.S. opened the tournament with a resounding 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, ranking No. 100 in FIFA’s international standings.
Malik Tillman, a 23-year-old forward, emerged as the standout performer of the match, scoring two goals. Following the game, he expressed relief and excitement about getting a positive result amid the overwhelming negativity surrounding the team.
“After those two friendlies, it’s been a tough, more disappointing period,” Tillman said.
The U.S. has two more group stage matches in the Gold Cup, the next being against Saudi Arabia, followed by a game against Haiti. A second win would guarantee their advancement to the knockout round, offering them the chance to play up to three additional games.
Winning the tournament, especially with a victory against quality opponents like Mexico or Canada, could significantly shift the narrative surrounding the team.
Forward Patrick Agyemang reflected on the pressures of playing at such a high level, saying, “That’s the blessing and a curse that comes with playing a professional soccer player and ultimately representing a nation. For us, each day we take at a time.”
As the U.S. men’s national soccer team battles both internal and external challenges ahead of the World Cup, fans will be watching closely to see if the tides can turn in their favor.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/nx-s1-5426629/usmnt-fifa-world-cup-us-soccer-men-struggles
