The Gold Cup Could Add Momentum to the Americans' Windless Sails
When Mauricio Pochettino accepted the USMNT job after last summer's Copa América disaster, he likely envisioned working with Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and the core that reached the 2022 World Cup's round of 16. Instead, he finds himself preparing for a crucial Gold Cup with seven uncapped players and a roster depleted by injuries, fatigue, and players simply requesting time off—a situation that reveals both his pragmatic coaching philosophy and the deeper systemic issues plaguing American soccer.
Pochettino's approach demonstrates seasoned professionalism in crisis management. Rather than lamenting the absence of key players like Pulisic, McKennie, and Antonee Robinson, he's embracing the opportunity to evaluate depth and discover new talent. His emphasis on creating an environment where players can "fight for a place" shows tactical wisdom, using adversity as a catalyst for competition and development.
However, the circumstances expose concerning underlying issues within the program. The fact that so many established players are unavailable due to fatigue, personal reasons, or simply requesting rest suggests potential problems with player buy-in and program culture. Pochettino's concerns about attitude and his emphasis on professionalism indicate he inherited a team lacking the mental fortitude expected at the international level.
The manager's measured responses about roster quality—declining to guarantee Gold Cup success while focusing on process over outcomes—reflect realistic expectations given his limited time with the group. His acknowledgment that he's "soaking in what's happening" suggests he's still diagnosing problems he didn't fully anticipate when accepting the role.
Most tellingly, Pochettino appears to view this Gold Cup as a necessary reset rather than just tournament preparation. His extended camp approach and focus on mentality suggest that he recognizes technical and tactical improvements are meaningless without addressing fundamental issues of commitment and professionalism.
The manager seems determined to establish new standards, but whether he can transform a program that has struggled for the past year remains the critical question. His success may ultimately depend less on tactical innovation than on cultural transformation within a team that appears to have lost its way despite individual talent.
The Americans Won the Previous Two Matches — Both World Cup Send-Offs
The United States and Turkey have maintained a competitive rivalry spanning over two decades, with their encounters often serving as crucial preparation for major tournaments.
The relationship began in 1991 with a 1-1 draw that concluded the US European tour. Frank Klopas salvaged the result with a late equalizer, marking his return to international duty after a lengthy absence. This early meeting established a pattern of closely contested matches between the nations.
Their 2003 Confederations Cup clash proved more significant, as Turkey dominated a disjointed American side 2-1 in the tournament opener. The Turks, fresh off their impressive third-place finish in the World Cup, demonstrated superior technical ability and organization throughout. Tuncay Sanli scored the winner after some clever combination play, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that would concern coach Bruce Arena heading into subsequent matches against Brazil and Cameroon.
The 2010 World Cup send-off in Philadelphia showcased American resilience. After falling behind to Arda Turan's opener, the US transformed their performance through tactical adjustments and personnel changes. Coach Bob Bradley's halftime substitutions proved decisive, with Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey completing the comeback victory before 55,000 enthusiastic fans.
Four years later, another pre-World Cup friendly saw the US prevail 2-1, with Fabian Johnson and Dempsey providing the goals. Under Jürgen Klinsmann's guidance, the Americans demonstrated greater tactical sophistication, although concerns persisted about converting finishing opportunities and maintaining defensive consistency.
Throughout these encounters, Turkey has consistently provided valuable preparation for American World Cup campaigns, offering a blend of technical skill and competitive intensity. The matches have generally been tight affairs, with both nations using these fixtures to fine-tune their approaches before major tournaments, creating a meaningful soccer relationship between the two countries.
The Johnny Cardoso transfer saga has reached a critical juncture, with Atlético Madrid appearing to edge closer to securing the 23-year-old USMNT midfielder from Real Betis. Recent developments suggest the deal is progressing, though significant obstacles remain.
Atlético Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with Cardoso on personal terms, representing a significant breakthrough in negotiations. The package deal is valued at around €30 million, including bonuses and potential players, demonstrating Madrid's commitment to landing their primary midfield target.
However, the financial gap between clubs remains substantial. Betis values Cardoso as a strategic asset and has put on the table a figure close to €40 million, while Atlético's current offer sits at €30 million with add-ons. This €10 million difference continues to complicate negotiations, with Betis understandably reluctant to part with their second-most utilized player from last season.
The timing adds another layer of complexity. Tottenham Hotspur has a right of first refusal option to buy Cardoso for €25 million that starts on July 1 and expires on July 15, creating urgency for all parties involved. Betis would prefer completing any sale before June ends to help balance their books, while Atlético seeks to finalize the deal before Tottenham's option becomes active.
Cardoso's stellar debut season in La Liga, featuring 3,387 minutes across 46 appearances, has made him indispensable to Manuel Pellegrini's plans. His defensive solidity and passing ability have caught Diego Simeone's attention, who views him as the perfect solution for Atlético's long-standing need for a reliable holding midfielder.
The move to Atletico Madrid would be intriguing for the USMNT, potentially elevating Cardoso's development under one of football's most respected defensive tacticians. The outcome hinges on whether the clubs can bridge their valuation gap before external complications arise.
Youth Movement Signals New Era for the National Team
Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a notably youthful 26-player roster for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, signaling a new direction for American soccer as the nation prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. With an average age of just over 25 years, this represents one of the youngest Gold Cup squads in USMNT history.
The roster construction reflects both opportunity and necessity. Key absences have forced Pochettino to dig deep into the player pool, with Christian Pulisic sidelined due to fatigue and Antonee Robinson recovering from knee surgery. The Juventus pair of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, and (for now) Dortmund's Gio Reyna, remain unavailable due to their Club World Cup commitments, while Sergiño Dest's withdrawal, due to concerns over ACL recovery, further depletes veteran options.
However, these challenges have created opportunities for emerging talent. Five players earn their first senior call-ups, including goalkeeper Chris Brady, who backstopped the U-20 team to CONCACAF championship glory. Sebastian Berhalter has impressed with Vancouver Whitecaps' run to the Champions Cup final, while Damion Downs contributed 10 goals to FC Köln's Bundesliga promotion campaign.
The attacking corps brings genuine firepower despite its youth. Brian White sits third in MLS's Golden Boot race with 10 goals, while Haji Wright netted 12 times for Coventry City in England's Championship. Veteran Brenden Aaronson's nine goals helped Leeds United return to the Premier League, and Malik Tillman finished as PSV's second-leading scorer in their title-winning campaign despite missing time with injury.
Perhaps most intriguingly, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson become the first siblings to share a Gold Cup roster in USMNT history. Their potential joint appearance would mark only the second time brothers have played together in official competition since 1957.
"We are extremely excited to work with this group of players and compete for the championship," Pochettino stated, emphasizing tournament victory as the primary objective before World Cup preparations intensify.
The European Nation Came Across the Pond for Matches Against the US and Mexico
As Turkey prepares to face the United States tomorrow, Americans will witness a national team experiencing a remarkable resurgence under Italian coach Vincenzo Montella. The Crescent Stars arrive in confident form, having lost just one of their last eight matches while scoring 16 goals in that impressive run.
Turkey's journey back to prominence has been years in the making. After their memorable third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup, the nation has struggled to recapture that magic on football's biggest stage. However, their recent performances suggest a team ready to compete with the world's best once again. A strong League B campaign earlier this year culminated in convincing playoff victories over Hungary, setting the stage for hopes of World Cup qualification.
The current squad combines experienced leadership with emerging talent, which has European football taking notice. Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız, wearing the iconic No. 10 shirt once donned by legends like Roberto Baggio, represents the new generation of Turkish football. The 19-year-old considers representing Turkey his "ultimate dream" and has already made his mark by scoring against his birth country, Germany.
Montella's tactical approach has instilled confidence throughout the squad. Turkey has won their last four matches when scoring first, demonstrating improved game management and clinical finishing. Their recent form includes an impressive quarterfinal run at Euro 2024, where they captured hearts with passionate performances before falling just short of the semifinals.
For American fans, this match offers a rare opportunity to witness Turkey's evolution. The teams only win over the US was when Turkey secured a 2-1 victory in the 2003 Confederations Cup. With both nations harboring World Cup ambitions in 2026, this friendly carries significant weight as a measuring stick for future success.
On This Day in 2021, the First Nations League Final and the First True Test for the New Guard Generated Memorable Moments
The first chance the United States Men's National Team had to win a trophy under manager Gregg Berhalter came in the 2019 Gold Cup, and the Americans came up short in a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the final. Next up was the newly formed CONCACAF Nations League to close out 2019. The US won Group A with nine points, qualifying for the finals in Texas. Then, the pandemic hit, suspending the tournament, and the finals were rescheduled for early June 2021. That extra year allowed this young US team to grow, which would be needed in this young core's first real test together.
During the pandemic in 2020, the US took a nine-and-a-half-month break from February to November. The club season returned a little sooner, with clubs only taking about three months off. The break allowed the injury-riddled team to get healthy and gain more first-team experience at the club level. A new-look national team emerged for the friendlies in mid-November, with Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah making their debuts, along with the returns of Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Tim Weah, who had been dealing with injuries. The star Christian Pulisic was recovering from a hamstring injury during the FA Cup Final in August and missed out on the action. The team drew with Wales before beating Panama. The "first team" wouldn't get back together until March 2021, when the US beat Jamaica and Northern Ireland — Dest scored the opener against the Jamaicans, celebrating by letting everyone know it was the US's time.
With all of his top European-based players available, Berhalter named a power-packed squad for the CONCACAF Nations League final four on May 24. The 23-man roster included players from Champions League finalists Chelsea (Christian Pulisic) and Manchester City (Zack Steffen) and continental powers Borussia Dortmund (Gio Reyna), Juventus (Weston McKennie) and Barcelona (Sergiño Dest). It also featured players from RB Leipzig (Tyler Adams), French champion Lille (Tim Weah) and Austrian champion RB Salzburg (Brenden Aaronson).
"We are excited to get this group together, especially coming off the heels of excellent domestic seasons by our players," Berhalter said. "We're looking forward to competing to win a trophy and also going through this process. This group has been together now three times in the last eight months, and every time we get together, we get closer and build the team even more."
Only four players were from MLS clubs, as the coach turned primarily to European-based players after their league seasons and before they went on summer break. Despite those accolades, it was a young U.S. squad: The average number of international appearances was 17, and, as of the semifinal, the average age was just under 24. Thirteen players were 23 or younger.
The four-match window would start with a friendly in Switzerland on May 30 — a 2-1 defeat. Pulisic was not in the U.S. side after taking part in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League final the day before, becoming the first American man to play in the final of Europe's most prestigious club title. Sebastian Lletget fired the U.S. into an early lead against the strong Swiss side preparing for the upcoming European Championship, pouncing on a loose ball in the area and side-footing home with his first touch. The Swiss hit right back through Ricardo Rodriguez, who picked up a cross at the top of the penalty area on a counter-attack. Switzerland took the lead just past the hour mark after some lax defending by the U.S. led to a goalmouth scramble, and Steven Zuber slotted in a close-range shot to seal it for the hosts in the second half.
The team traveled to Denver, where the US would play Honduras in the first semifinal on Thursday, June 3. Pulisic, fresh off his Champions League win with Chelsea, was back in Berhalter's starting XI as the U.S. played its first competitive match since November of 2019. "It was a little bit nerve-wracking," Gio Reyna said after making his competitive debut. "It was really important. It was the first, tough, really official competitive game we've had."
Reyna produced the best US chance of the first half when he skipped by two defenders in the box before shooting it wide. On the other side, Josh Sargent had to recover to make an impressive goal-line clearance in the 27th minute to keep the match goalless. Honduras continued to stall as the match progressed and almost reached the final whistle. That was until the 89th minute after a throw-in, when the ball was cycled to John Brooks about 40 yards away from the goal, who played the ball over the top to Weston McKennie. McKennie guided the pass into the path of second-half substitute Jordan Pefok, who headed the ball home for the winner. The US survived but only by a late goal in the semifinal.
In the other match, Mexico needed a penalty shootout to beat Costa Rica to set up the match for Sunday, June 6. Mexico had the better of the US since the 2014 World Cup, beating the Americans in four of the past six matchups, including a most recent 3-0 drubbing in Sept 2019. Jesus Corona put Mexico on the front foot 62 seconds into the match when he intercepted Mark McKenzie's pass and buried it into the roof over Zack Steffen. Mexico actually nabbed a second goal in the 24th minute when Hector Herrera curled in a cross after a short corner, and Hector Moreno rose highest to score off the header, but it was ruled out for offside, though it was very close. About a minute and a half after the goal was marked off, the US equalized through Reyna. Pulisic curled in the corner kick, and McKennie's header found the post. Reyna was on hand for the rebound to level the match.
As the sky turned from dusk to evening, the intensity began to build in the second half, and a few scuffles broke out. Berhalter, who started the match with a three-in-the-back, changed systems when he replaced Dest with Weah at the hour mark. The team adjusted again when backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath replaced Steffen after the starter left with a non-contact knee injury in the 69th minute.
"Me and Zack have been on the national team since we've been 14-years-old together ... He just said everyone believes in me and just do me," Horvath said.
Memo Ochoa saved a McKennie header off a corner kick a minute later. Tensions grew as Berhalter and Mexico defender Nester Araujo came together on the touchline as the manager scooped up the ball. Everyone was on edge. In the 78th minute, Diego Lianez replaced Uriel Antuna and burned Tim Ream a minute later to create enough space to fire a shot past Horvath for what could have been the winner. But off the kick-off, the US put together a 13-pass buildup that resulted in a Weah cross. Luis Rodríguez settled the cross but allowed the ball to go out for a corner after a poor touch. Reyna curled in the corner, and McKennie finally beat Ochoa with a header to tie the match. It was an instant response. Mexico could have won it in regulation, but Horvath needed to make a diving save on a Hirving Lozano shot in the 90th minute.
After a goalless first 15 minutes of extra time with bodies continuing to fly, the US made the most of its first real attack of the second period. The Americans broke free on the right, and Weah found Reggie Cannon, who played a low cross to Pulisic near the penalty spot. Pulisic drove toward the net before being squeezed out by Jesús Gallardo and Carlos Salcedo. Initially, referee John Pitti thought nothing of the coming together, but the Video Assistant Review called the referee over to review it himself. Pitti decided it was a foul and awarded the penalty, but not before sending off Mexico manager Tata Martino during the review. Pulisic stepped up to the spot and buried it into the top right corner in the 114th minute to give the US its first lead of the match.
“I said I was going to go out swinging, and I am going to go for it,” Pulisic said of his penalty. The chaos continued as the celebrations were hampered by trash and drinks being dumped on the Americans as Pulisic shooshed the away crowd. Reyna, who was subbed off in the second half, was hit in the face with a projectile and had to be treated before play resumed.
"Total lack of respect for what's happening on the field and all the effort both teams were putting into the game," Berhalter said of the barrage of water bottles and other items. "Really disappointed to see. It could've been a lot worse" for Reyna.
In the 119th minute, the match would come to its stunning conclusion. Mexico earned a corner and ran a little play to get a shorter cross. Corona won the header and directed it toward the goal, and it hit McKenzie's extended arm. Mexico persistently appealed for the penalty. Pitti went back to the monitor to review and again decided on a penalty.
Mind games and shenanigans continued as Kellyn Acosta prevented Andrés Guardado from positioning the ball, which sparked another minor scuffle. After another 30 seconds or so, Guardado was ready for the penalty. He sent his left-footed shot to the left corner, but Horvath guessed correctly, and the substitute goalkeeper parried the shot wide. With the ball not cleared, it was eventually pumped back into the box and fell into the secure hands of Horvath. The goalkeeper fell on the ball as his teammates congratulated him.
Horvath, Steffen and third-stringer David Ochoa met with goalkeepers coach Aron Hyde on Sunday to prepare for the possibility of facing penalty kicks. The group "spent a good 30, 40 minutes watching penalties, just in case. Any one of us was prepared to step in goal. It's down to us doing our homework," Horvath said.
One more scuffle broke out eight minutes into added time when Pulisic was chopped down, and more teammates came over to defend him. More projectiles came onto the field as the sideline started to be riddled with trash. The dust settled, the ball was thrown back into play, Pitti blew the final whistle, and the US were Nations League champions. The team rushed toward the defense third, where Horvath was already getting piled on. It was the first trophy for this young core of Americans after the last guard failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
The win gave the team the belief they belonged. "I'm so proud of this group, we needed everyone today, and it was a phenomenal performance," Pulisic said afterward.
Since the embarrassment of missing the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. men have not had anything to celebrate. This victory promised to continue shaping a talented but young team ahead of the competitions that matter most. The US completed the window with a 4-0 victory over Costa Rica. This Nations League victory set the table for the title defense in 2023 and the three-peat in 2024, asserting American dominance (at home) over the region over the last handful of years.
