CNN
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It’s exactly one year before the start of the 2026 World Cup, and there are no plans for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT).
The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is set to guide the new era of US men’s soccer.
But if the recent results are anything, the 12-month World Cup can be a humiliating disappointment.
A slightly dark outlook was exposed Tuesday night after a friendly USMNT slashed 4-0 by Switzerland.
The game ended before halftime, with Switzerland scoring their fourth goal 36 minutes later. Those fans inside the stadium let their voices heard as they rang around Geodis Park.
Without a doubt, Switzerland is a very capable aspect with many top players, but at the level the US needs to play comfortably if they could move from the group stage at the World Cup.
The defeat means that the US has now won the last eight matches against European opposition parties, and four consecutive wins in all competitions.
After the loss, US manager Mauricio Pochettino denounced the inexperienced starting lineup that chose to use against Switzerland.
Defender Nathan Hariel and midfielder Quinn Sullivan were both getting their first start, but Sebastian Barhalter, the son of former head coach Greg Barhalter, made his debut.
Five changes were made in the break, and the US looked more comfortable in the second half after Switzerland stepped out of the gas.
“It was my decision and that decision didn’t work, and when it doesn’t work, you need to criticize yourself,” Pockettino told reporters after the game.
Despite the lack of some of the regular starters, the defeat puts more pressure on Pockettino.
His appointment last year was probably a sign of intention, and Argentina was considered among the best managers in world football.
Pockettino has previously been successful in building the project. Perhaps most notably at Tottenham Hotspur, which led the team to the Champions League final in 2019.
He then continued his management of Paris Saint German and Chelsea, but he definitely didn’t hit the expected heights at both clubs.
When he was announced as US manager in September, US football and sports director Matt Crocker said he was confident that Pockettino was the “right choice to harness the immeasurable possibilities within a talented team.”
And when I told CNN Sports right after taking on his new role, Pochettino was positive about the team’s future.
“The culture is there, the culture of the country is there. Everything has a very good way of thinking,” he said at the time.
Fast forward nine months, and the rosy painting is beginning to become a little more lethargic.
Since taking over from former head coach Barhalter, Pockettino has overseen a 5-5 record, including a very poor performance, including a loss to Panama.
The team’s format is, of course, garnering criticism.
Former US striker Clint Dempsey, who spoke to CNN Sports in April, said he was “6 or 7 now” when asked how much of the 10 people worried about his team. It’s hardly happened since then to give him more confidence.
USMNT’s most successful coach, Bruce Arena, also expressed her frustration, questioning whether Pockettino is the right person for the job.
“I think there are coaches that are difficult for us,” Arena said earlier this year on an “unfiltered soccer” podcast.
“I think our coaches are very good coaches, but coaching international football is different from club football. That’s a completely different job.”
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As pressure rises around managers, players have been saying the right things in public.
After the defeat against Switzerland, experienced defender Walker Zimmerman said he still had time to recover some positive forms before the World Cup.
“I think it’s really easy to watch one game.
“However, they will also look to the accumulation of 2022 (World Cup), defeating Morocco 3-0 and advance to the semi-finals.
“It’s not the end of the world. We accept that it’s not enough and realize that it’s there. We have to flip the script and make sure it doesn’t come out like that again.”
This will bring attention to the Concacaf Gold Cup. This is the competition where the US has won seven times.
USMNT will launch a campaign against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday before facing Saudi Arabia and Haiti in other group games.
As preparations for the tournament may have been barely worsened, Pockettino hopes to use the game’s execution to develop a more positive sense around the team.
You are nothing but the run to the finals. It will not appease those who are concerned about the direction of this project.
However, the US does not have to have many of the tournament’s top players to add even more insult to the injury.
Perhaps the best player on the team, Christian Purisic, is not available for selection due to fatigue. This is a decision that led to criticism of Winger’s commitment to the team.
Meanwhile, Weston McKenney and Tim Weir are both with Juventus at the Club World Cup, but PSV defender Sergino Desty has been pulled out of the team to focus on recovering fully from an ACL injury.
This means that the teams most likely to play the opening game of next year’s World Cup will miss out on what could have been a key minutes together on the pitch.
On Tuesday, Pockettino lamented his full team’s lack of time and said preparations for the World Cup were “a big challenge.”
“It’s difficult to balance continuity,” he said.
To some of his critics, Pockettino’s words may sound like more excuses for a poor performance that undermined excitement ahead of next year’s tournament.
But one positive thing is that the team has 12 months of clicks.
