USMNT Announces Summer Friendlies Against European Quarter-Finalists
The U.S. Men's National Team will face strong European opposition this June. Matches against Turkey and Switzerland have been announced as key preparation fixtures for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino's squad will host Turkey at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, on June 7, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Three days later, the team will travel to Nashville's GEODIS Park for a June 10 match against Switzerland, which will serve as the official "Send-Off" match before the Gold Cup competition begins.
Both European opponents reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, providing valuable high-level competition for the Americans. Switzerland currently sits 20th in FIFA's rankings, four spots below the U.S., while Turkey holds 28th.
"These matches will provide the USMNT with one of its few opportunities to face European opposition before the World Cup," U.S. Soccer stated in Monday's announcement, highlighting the strategic importance of these fixtures with just over a year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The U.S. holds a 2-1-1 record against Turkey, last facing them in 2014 before that year's World Cup in a 2-1 victory. Against Switzerland, the Americans have struggled historically with a 1-4-4 record and no victories on U.S. soil.
However, club commitments will likely impact these friendlies, as several potential USMNT players could be unavailable due to the FIFA Club World Cup running concurrently with the Gold Cup. Players from qualifying clubs like Juventus (Weston McKennie, Tim Weah), Borussia Dortmund (Gio Reyna), and Seattle Sounders (Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira) may be retained by their clubs.
The Gold Cup begins June 14. The USMNT will seek to reclaim the trophy after winning it in 2021 and being eliminated by Panama on penalties in the 2023 semifinals. The tournament draw will take place on April 10.
On This Day in 1990, The US Records First Win Over European Side in 10 Years in Prep for Italy 90
Less than a month after a humbling 3-1 loss to the Soviet Union at Stanford Stadium—a match that painfully exposed the United States Men's National Soccer Team's limitations against world-class soccer teams—the national team sought redemption. The Soviet match had revealed stark differences between the Americans and established international sides, with the US struggling to maintain a competitive footing against even a partial-strength Soviet squad.
Before that, a narrow 1-0 win over Bermuda had done little to boost confidence. Coach Bob Gansler was still wrestling with lineup challenges, rotating players in preparation for the World Cup, and seeking to build a cohesive team capable of competing internationally.
The March 10 match against Finland in Tampa Stadium was more than just another friendly. It was an interesting opportunity for the U.S. team to demonstrate its progress. Though the Finnish didn't qualify for the 1990 World Cup, the US hadn't beaten a European side since the 2-0 win over Luxembourg in 1980, going 0-3-2 (WDL) over the decade. The US achieved more than just a victory on that crisp March night. The 2-1 win against Finland was pivotal in the team's journey toward its first World Cup appearance in 40 years.
The match unfolded against a backdrop of uncertainty and competition. Gansler had been juggling 24 players, constantly rotating lineups. With no established professional league providing consistent high-level competition, Gansler's strategy was to keep players sharp and evaluate talent through ongoing assessments.
The evening began with anticipation. Between 15,000 and 20,000 spectators filled Tampa Stadium, creating an atmosphere of patriotic excitement. The crowd represented a cross-section of soccer enthusiasts—youth players, military personnel from nearby bases, and supporters eager to witness the national team's growth.
Paul Caligiuri, the hero of the Trinidad & Tobago qualifying match that secured America's World Cup berth, opened the scoring in the first half. After Eric Wynalda, who was making his fifth cap, stole a pass along the right sideline and crossed into the box, Bruce Murray's diving header was saved by Finnish goalkeeper Petri Jakonen. However, the rebound fell perfectly to Caligiuri, who quickly guided the ball into the net in the 29th minute.
Finland equalized early in the second half when forward Kimmo Tarkkio capitalized on a defensive breakdown, slipping past the U.S. defense to beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller. The goal momentarily deflated the American side but also ignited their competitive spirit.
The match's decisive moment came approximately 23 minutes from full-time. Bruce Murray, struggling with a scoring drought, rediscovered his shooting touch. After receiving a pass from Caligiuri, Murray skillfully maneuvered between defenders Jouko Vuorela and Jari Europaeus, leaving them on the ground before delivering a composed finish past Jakonen.
"I hoped I could get it going again," Murray later reflected. "I was a little nervous to be upfront, but as the game went on, I got more confident. It was very encouraging."
Coach Gansler saw the match as an essential developmental opportunity. "I've seen a lot of improvement in our offense," he commented, "but we still have plenty of work on finishing our attack. This was a good test for us. We will only improve from it."
It wouldn't be the last chance the US would play European competition in the lead-up to the World Cup. The Americans would travel to Budapest in 10 days before a match in East Berlin against the East Germans on March 28 — both eventual defeats. The US would finally get back to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Finland in St. Louis on April 8. In the final 10 matches in the run-in to the World Cup, the Americans played nine European sides, really preparing for what lay ahead in June.
Midfielder Has Carved Out His Spot as Lyon Secure Another Win
Tanner Tessmann continued his impressive run of form as Olympique Lyonnais secured a crucial 2-0 away victory against OGC Nice on Sunday. The American midfielder played the full 90 minutes in a match that significantly strengthened Lyon's position in the race for Champions League qualification.
Despite Paulo Fonseca serving the first match of his lengthy touchline suspension, Lyon executed a disciplined game plan with Tessmann as a key midfield anchor. The USMNT international showcased remarkable accuracy, completing 61 of 65 passes for an impressive 94% success rate. His distribution was complemented by his defensive contributions, registering a tackle, a block, a few clearances, and an interception in a well-rounded performance.
Tessmann's ball retention was excellent throughout the rainy encounter at the Allianz Riviera. He helped Lyon weather Nice's first-half pressure before the visitors struck twice through substitutes Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah late in the second half. The victory marked Nice's first home league defeat of the season and positioned Lyon firmly in the conversation for European football next season, despite the ongoing off-field drama surrounding the club's finances and Fonseca's suspension.
Tessmann's consistent performances in recent weeks should make him firmly in USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino's plans for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures. In November, Pochettino praised his performance against Jamaica, rating it "eight or nine" out of ten. Tessmann is making a strong case for his inclusion.
With Tyler Adams back from injury, competition for midfield spots is fierce, but Tessmann's combination of defensive solidity and progressive passing could provide the balance Pochettino's team needs. His experience navigating the chaos at Lyon while maintaining high performance demonstrates the mental fortitude that could prove valuable on the international stage as the USMNT prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
