INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Following the U.S. men’s national team’s loss in the Concacaf Nations League third-place game against Canada, many former USMNT stars criticized the team’s performance.
“You would hope that they would get up for this game, there’d be more pride to try to get things back on track and get this fan base behind them,” Clint Dempsey said on the CBS broadcast.
Translation: People were expecting a better showing to boost national pride.
Landon Donovan, co-top scorer of the team, expressed his views on social media:
“If you’re not going to show up and actually care about playing for your national team, decline the invite.”
Translation: He questioned the commitment of the players.
Stuart Holden added, “This is rock bottom post-World Cup.”
Translation: The team is at one of its lowest points since the last World Cup.
For dedicated fans, the reality is sobering. Losses to Panama and Canada indicate that without significant improvement, the upcoming 2026 World Cup could pose a serious risk for the national team.
Tyler Adams emphasized the need for unity and support:
“We need to make a bigger effort and be a team people can get behind and support. Winning breeds optimism.”
Translation: The team must enhance its appeal to the fans through improved performances.
Following the poor results, Gregg Berhalter was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, regarded as a leading coach. Despite having only six months into his new role, Pochettino must reassure fans and stakeholders about his capability to turn things around.
“I don’t want people to feel pessimistic,” Pochettino stated after the match. “Disappointed? Yes, we are all disappointed. But I believe we have good players who will perform better in future matches.”
Translation: He urged for patience and highlighted his belief in the players’ potential.
The USMNT will gather in Chicago for training ahead of the Gold Cup, which is now crucial for restoring the team’s confidence as they aim to approach the highly anticipated World Cup competitively.
