Can the USMNT Secure Gold Cup Victory Without Key Players?
US men's national team faces off for the upcoming Gold Cup with an unexpected roster, raising questions about their chances of success.
At this point, it’s not as shocking anymore that the 26-man roster called up by U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the upcoming Gold Cup differs from expectations.
Notable absences include Christian Pulisic, Jedi Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Sergino Dest—regular stars who will not be participating due to various reasons. This time, the USMNT will field a relatively inexperienced side, consisting of players with World Cup and European experience alongside those from MLS, many of whom have yet to compete in significant tournaments.
The critical question remains: is this team capable of winning the Gold Cup?
“I think we need to respect the players that are here. We need to respect every single roster,” Pochettino said on Friday before the team’s two pre-tournament friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland. Following these matches, the USMNT will kick off their Gold Cup group stage against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15.
Pochettino added, “Good enough? I will let you know after. Good enough to win [Nations League in March]? We were not good enough. We were not good enough to win the World Cup in 2022. We should not judge or analyze in this manner. I think we need to wait; if we win, we’ll be very happy. If we don’t win, we’ll face criticism.”
Moving forward without key players presents challenges for Pochettino as he prepares for the last competitive matches before the next World Cup. He acknowledged the substantial impact this situation has on his team’s preparations: “That is the circumstance we have and we need to adapt. It’s essential not to overthink, but instead to cultivate a positive environment for performance.”
The average number of caps among players in the roster is currently 16, with seven players being uncapped, and four receiving their first senior squad call-up.
Tyler Adams noted, “I wouldn’t label it as a transition period; it’s more like a learning phase. We’re adapting to new dynamics, bringing in fresh faces, and developing synergy within the team. It takes time to enhance our performance on the field.”
Despite those challenges, there is optimism: “This summer presents a fantastic opportunity with many new perspectives and energy, which I believe will benefit the team greatly.”
