Gold Cup Draw

US Faces Favorable Gold Cup Draw as Pressure Mounts for Pochettino

The United States men's national team has been drawn into Group D for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They'll face Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and guest nation Saudi Arabia in what appears to be a manageable path to the knockout stages. The tournament, running from June 14 to July 6, represents a crucial opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's squad to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Following a disappointing fourth-place finish in the recent Nations League Finals, where the US suffered losses to Panama and Canada, this Gold Cup takes on heightened significance for Pochettino, who has faced early criticism after just eight matches in charge. The tournament presents unique challenges for Pochettino, as several key players will be unavailable due to their club's participation in the concurrent FIFA Club World Cup.

Mexico, the nine-time Gold Cup champions, headline Group A alongside Costa Rica, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic. Canada, which defeated the US in the Nations League third-place match, will compete in Group B with Honduras, El Salvador, and Curacao. Panama, which eliminated the US in last month's Nations League semifinal, anchors Group C with Jamaica, Guatemala, and Guadeloupe.

The quarterfinals will be June 28-29, the semifinals on July 2 and the final on July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston. As co-hosts of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the US desperately needs to reassert regional dominance and silence growing skepticism about the team's direction under Pochettino.

"We need to turn it around and we can hopefully build some momentum this summer," Pulisic acknowledged following the Nations League disappointment. With just over a year until the World Cup, this Gold Cup represents perhaps Pochettino's last opportunity to evaluate his squad in a competitive tournament environment before soccer's global showcase arrives on American soil.