Despite Staying on the Bench for the Semifinal, Midfielder Showed Spark in Start Against Canada
Amid the United States' disappointing CONCACAF Nations League campaign, Diego Luna emerged as a rare bright spot for the national team. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake player brought creativity and energy to a largely uninspired squad during the third-place match against Canada.
Luna's ability to inject life into the team's midfield was inspiring. He provided a crucial assist for Patrick Agyemang's equalizing goal, showcasing his vision and creativity. Despite the team's ultimate 2-1 loss, Luna was willing to take risks and create opportunities that other midfielders seemed hesitant to attempt.
The young midfielder's performance was especially notable given his limited previous involvement in the tournament. Fans and commentators were puzzled by his absence in the earlier match against Panama, making his appearance against Canada all the more impactful. Luna acknowledged his approach, stating that creativity and risk-taking have been key to his success.
Mauricio Pochettino praised Luna's hunger and readiness, highlighting the player as a potential bright spot for the future. While the tournament was largely a disappointment for the US team, Luna provided a glimmer of hope and excitement for supporters looking ahead to future competitions.
United States Manager Facing Criticism After Nations League Defeats
Mauricio Pochettino is navigating treacherous waters as the head coach of the United States national team, facing intense scrutiny after a disastrous performance in the CONCACAF Nations League. The team's consecutive losses to Panama and Canada have exposed deep-seated issues, with the squad finishing in last place and drawing sharp criticism from former players and fans alike.
The criticism has been particularly scathing. US soccer legend Landon Donovan bluntly stated he was "sick of hearing how 'talented' this group of players is," challenging the team's commitment and pride. Stuart Holden went further, accusing Pochettino of "gaslighting" and suggesting that the coach would have been immediately fired under previous circumstances.
Despite the mounting pressure, Pochettino remains steadfastly optimistic. He has repeatedly emphasized that these setbacks are better experienced now, with approximately 15 months remaining before the 2026 home World Cup. His consistent message is one of patience and potential, urging fans not to become pessimistic and insisting that the team will find a way to improve.
The performance issues are multifaceted. Star players like Christian Pulisic seemed particularly ineffective, with some matches seeing him virtually invisible on the pitch. The midfield struggled with ball progression. Outside the lone goal, the attack failed to unlock either Panama or Canada in the final third. These challenges are particularly stark given the expectations surrounding what the media dubbed the US's "golden generation" - a roster featuring players from top European clubs, including seven who have played in the Champions League.
Pochettino's challenge is significant. He must transform a team that currently looks disconnected, underperforming and uninspired, all while managing expectations for the upcoming World Cup. His track record of success at club level with Tottenham and his recent appointment suggest he has the potential to turn things around, but the clock is ticking, and patience is wearing thin among US soccer supporters.
In the Third-Place Match, Which Saw Canada Manager Jesse Marsch Sent Off, the United States Struggled and Settled for Fourth
The United States Men's National Team concluded a dismal CONCACAF Nations League tournament with a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Canada, further raising concerns about the team's preparedness for next year's World Cup.
In a match played at SoFi Stadium, Canada demonstrated superior tactical awareness and aggression. Tani Oluwaseyi opened the scoring in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse that left him unmarked in the six-yard box. The goal epitomized the USMNT's struggles with defensive consistency.
The Americans briefly responded through an impressive team goal, with Tim Weah initiating a move culminating in Patrick Agyemang's equalizer. Diego Luna, making his competitive national team debut, played a crucial role in the buildup, showcasing composure and creativity on the assist that offered a glimmer of hope.
However, Jonathan David's sublime 59th-minute strike ultimately sealed Canada's victory. The goal came after a period of increased Canadian pressure and highlighted the USMNT's continued defensive vulnerabilities.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed disappointment, acknowledging the team's shortcomings while attempting to maintain optimism. Players like Tyler Adams and Weah admitted the team failed to exhibit the "killer mentality" and "fighting spirit" they had promised after their semifinal loss to Panama.
The defeat was particularly significant as it marked the first time the United States had lost back-to-back home matches to Canada since 1925. Statistical evidence underscored the team's struggles: Canada outshot the USA 8-5 and maintained more threatening possession in the attacking third.
With the Gold Cup approaching in June, Pochettino indicated potential roster changes, signaling a potential reset and opportunity for emerging talents to prove themselves on the international stage.
On This Day in 2024, Redemption for Adams and Reyna as Each Scored in a Dos a Cero Victory over Mexico
The United States entered the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Mexico riding a six-match unbeaten streak against their fiercest rivals. Since a September 2019 defeat, the Americans had compiled an impressive record against El Tri, including victories in the previous two editions of the Nations League. For Mexico, pressure was mounting under coach Jaime Lozano as they sought to reclaim regional supremacy and silence a growing chorus of critics.
Conditions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, presented a familiar challenge for both sides. Despite playing on American soil, the sold-out crowd of 59,471 created an overwhelmingly pro-Mexican atmosphere, with chants and songs echoing throughout the cavernous venue. The temporary grass strips installed over the NFL field showed visible seams, adding another variable to an already tense encounter.
The U.S. team's journey to the final had been anything but straightforward. Three days earlier, Gregg Berhalter's squad faced elimination after conceding to Jamaica after 30 seconds when Greg Leigh headed past Matt Turner. It marked the earliest goal the USMNT had conceded this century, and for the next 95 minutes, the Americans stared at the prospect of a third-straight loss for the first time since 2015.
Salvation came dramatically. In the sixth minute of five minutes of stoppage time, Jamaica substitute Cory Burke unwittingly headed past his own goalkeeper off a corner kick, forcing extra time and giving the Americans new life. The equalizer represented the latest regulation-time goal the U.S. had scored since 2012.
Enter Haji Wright, whose very presence in the squad was the result of remarkable circumstances. The 26-year-old striker hadn't been included in Berhalter's original roster. He was literally at an airport in England, preparing to depart for a family vacation in Dubai, when he received the unexpected call to replace the injured Josh Sargent.
"I know you got your parents, the bags are packed, and you're at the airport, but just think about it for 10 minutes and give me a callback," Berhalter had told him. When Wright called back to accept the invitation, Berhalter later recalled, "It really shows what type of guy he is, what type of character he is."
Wright's decision paid immediate dividends in the semifinal. He scored twice in extra time from Gio Reyna's assists to secure the 3-1 victory. The performance was significant for Wright, who hadn't appeared for the national team since the 2022 World Cup despite his prolific scoring for Coventry City, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner just days earlier that had sent his club to the FA Cup semifinals.
On March 24, against Mexico, Berhalter made five changes to his starting lineup, inserting Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Tyler Adams, Reyna and Wright. The inclusion of Adams was particularly notable, as the midfielder was making his first start in 475 days for club or country after struggling with a persistent hamstring injury that required two surgeries.
The match remained scoreless until right before halftime, when Adams delivered a moment of individual brilliance. The 25-year-old midfielder received a pass from Weston McKennie about 35 yards from goal, took a touch, and unleashed a curling shot that just eluded the outstretched hand of diving Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, making his 150th international appearance.
The stunning strike left his teammates in disbelief. "Nobody was expecting that," defender Chris Richards said afterward. "We thought it was about to go into the stands." Ream added: "Row Z. When he lined it up, I actually started to jump back to my position because I thought, 'Okay, there's a goal kick coming.'"
Despite his brilliant contribution, Adams' night ended at halftime due to the minutes restriction agreed upon with his club, Bournemouth. "Typical Tyler: We get into an argument in the locker room, and he wants to play more," Berhalter revealed. "As much as I wanted him in the game, it's a safety thing. We want to make sure that he gets back in a healthy way because he has a lot more games to play."
The Americans doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute through Reyna, whose journey back to prominence mirrored Adams in many ways. After providing the decisive assists in the semifinal, Reyna capitalized on a scramble in the penalty area following Christian Pulisic's blocked cross. When Mexican defender Johan Vásquez attempted a headed clearance, Reyna let the ball bounce once before firing a technically perfect volley past Ochoa at his near post from 16 yards.
The goal was significant for Reyna, who had endured a challenging club season, making just one league start split between Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest. It also represented another step in repairing his once-fractured relationship with Berhalter following their public fallout after the 2022 World Cup.
Reyna himself acknowledged the improvement in their relationship after the semifinal, his first time speaking to reporters since the World Cup: "What happened happened, but I think both of us are so far past it and just so focused on the group that it's not even an issue at all anymore."
The match was briefly marred by homophobic chants from sections of the crowd. In the 88th minute, Canadian referee Drew Fischer halted play for 4½ minutes and again six minutes into stoppage time for another minute and a half per CONCACAF's anti-discrimination protocol. The previous year's Nations League semifinal in Las Vegas had ended early due to similar chants from Mexican supporters.
When the final whistle eventually blew, the 2-0 victory – a scoreline affectionately known as "dos a cero" in U.S. Soccer lore – gave the Americans their third consecutive Nations League title and extended their unbeaten run against Mexico to a record seven games.
"It's about really taking advantage of every single opportunity we have because, before we know it, 2026 is going to be here," Berhalter said, already looking ahead to the World Cup that the United States would co-host with Mexico and Canada.
The Americans would next turn their attention to Copa América, preparing with friendlies against Colombia and Brazil before opening the tournament against Bolivia. That summer competition would provide their best opportunity to test themselves against global powers before the 2026 World Cup.
Adams put it in the afterglow of victory: "People have a lot of question marks about this, about that. But to see what we do week in, week out when we have the opportunity to work together, we continue to grow."
