USMNT readies for Gold Cup, the final competition before World Cup 2026, looking for its grit and determination

The USMNT is entering a normal Concacaf summer tournament, the Gold Cup, but the situation surrounding the USA is anything but normal.

This tournament is the last competitive game the side will play before next summer’s World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil. On top of that, many of the regular star players will not represent the red, white, and blue this summer. Some are unavailable, playing in FIFA’s new Club World Cup competition; others are out resting after a long season with their clubs, and a third grouping of players were not called in due to their questionable love for playing for their country by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

What can we expect from the USMNT in their final tune-up tournament before the World Cup, with a roster full of younger, hungry players looking to break into the team at a crucial time ahead of the World Cup? Results might have to take a back seat; this team needs to remember that they are a scrappy underdog in world soccer and must find their grit and determination again. The problem lies in whether the results falter, and no passion can be found.

Pochettino, USMNT — Sep 7, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) slides for the ball against Canada midfielder Ali Ahmed (20) and midfielder Richie Laryea (22) during the second half at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

USMNT Gold Cup Preview

The last year has been disastrous for the USMNT. Last summer, they were the first host nation to fail to make it out of the group stage of the Copa America, prompting a change of coach from Gregg Berhalter to Mauricio Pochettino. In his 10 matches in charge for the USMNT, he’s 5-5. Two of those losses came this past March, as the USA failed to make and win the Concacaf Nations League Final for the first time; they couldn’t even take 3rd place, losing that match.

Ahead of this Gold Cup, Poch decided to shake things up by bringing in many new faces who were hungry and could show the passion and courage the USMNT was known for. So far, that has not been paying off. The USA lost to Turkiye on Saturday, choking away the game 2-1, and had a historically bad performance Tuesday night, losing 4-0 to Switzerland, all four goals being scored in the first half.

Now this team has to play in the Gold Cup, where they are usually one of the top two or three favorites, though that might not be the case this time around.

USMNT, MLS — U.S.s forward Brandon Vazquez (19) celebrates his game-tying goal against Jamaica with forward Cade Cowell (11) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

An Inexperienced Roster

This USMNT team is inexperienced on the world stage. Apart from a few players who are mainstays on the national team, absences are the first thing people see when they look at this roster. Here’s a look at the 26 players that make up this roster.

2025 USMNT Gold Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

DEFENDERS (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)

FORWARDS (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Damion Downs (FC Köln), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

There’s a lot of talent on this team, but just as much, if not more, inexperience. It will be up to these players to show that they can right the ship for the USMNT and play the way Pochettino wants to play. He wants players to show a determination for each other and the flag they represent. This team should be able to do that and get out of their group, but can they come together to beat the teams that have their number right now in possible knockout games, teams like Panama, Canada, and Mexico?

Is Pochettino the right man for the job?

Can the USMNT make something of this Gold Cup? That question makes us ask other questions about the coach getting the most out of his players. Right now, Pochettino doesn’t look like he’s the man who can lead the USA to glory in the Gold Cup, and when you think about the bigger picture of the World Cup being a year away, it makes fans feel very pessimistic about this team.

This is the last competition before the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino is doing well in assessing new players in the pool who can complement the stars who aren’t here this summer and who will hopefully be healthy next summer.

USMNT, Paris 2024 — ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 21: A detailed view of the United States Soccer Federation crest logo is seen in the player and team tunnel in game action during an International friendly match between the United States and the Ecuador men’s national teams on March 21, 2019 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

The USMNT’s path through the Gold Cup

There’s just a bad vibe surrounding this team, and it feels like the only thing that could make that go away is winning games and maybe even winning this tournament, something that feels like a long shot. Nevertheless, the USMNT will take the field over the next few weeks looking to prove me and so many other US Soccer fans wrong, and I hope they can do that. Here’s a look at their group stage schedule and their path to a potential final.

Group D Schedule

USMNT vs Trinidad & Tobago | Sunday, June 15 | 6:00 pm EST
USMNT vs Saudi Arabia | Thursday, June 19 | 9:15 pm EST
USMNT vs Haiti | Sunday, June 22 | 7:00 pm EST

This USMNT team should be able to get out of their group, and maybe even win it. They have the talent; they must show some grit to get the necessary results. Not doing so is a colossal failure. Should they get out of the group, they’ll take on one of the top two teams from Group A, likely Mexico or Costa Rica, in the quarterfinals. A semifinal date could be against Panama or Canada. If the USA miraculously makes it to a final, it would likely be against one of their four above-named rivals.

Can the USMNT exorcise the demons of the past year and get back on the right track? We’ll have to see it to believe it. One thing is sure: the 2026 World Cup is one year away today. Pressure is mounting on this USA team to be a contender; a Gold Cup win would help ease nerves and settle this team that is currently overthinking and not playing the way their successful teams of old did.