INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Optimism surrounded the U.S. Men`s National Team as they convened in Los Angeles for the Concacaf Nations League semifinal, a competition they had previously dominated. Coach Mauricio Pochettino had recently expressed confidence in the team`s potential, suggesting they could become world leaders within a decade.
However, the week concluded with Pochettino urging fans to remain hopeful despite two consecutive CNL losses, culminating in a 2-1 defeat to Canada at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. While their 1-0 semifinal loss to Panama could be argued as an undeserved result, the Canada game presented a different picture. Against a Canadian team known for its open play, the USMNT managed a mere five shots, fewer than the 12 against Panama`s defense-oriented squad, and only achieved 0.74 expected goals. These underwhelming performances prompted Pochettino to manage expectations.
“I want to reassure the fans: avoid pessimism and negativity,” Pochettino stated after the Canada loss. “Losing is always a painful part of the process, but we must accept it. Disappointment is understandable, and the fans should share our disappointment in not winning.”
He followed this with a pledge:
“We will find a way to improve our performance.”
Pochettino and his players agreed on the necessity for change, emphasizing that these results necessitate a period of reflection before their June friendlies and the Gold Cup, their final competitive matches before next year`s World Cup. Identifying a single point of failure proved challenging, perhaps unsurprisingly given the team`s recent struggles.
The coach pondered whether adjustments to training camps were needed, prioritizing the establishment of a competitive mentality before implementing tactical strategies. He expressed satisfaction with the players` attitude but suggested they were operating on autopilot during games.
“When a situation is unfamiliar, you can endure it temporarily, but sustained consistency is impossible,” he explained. “We recognized that our approach against Panama was inadequate, and we discussed how to break free from automatic responses. You revert to familiar habits for safety. When it`s not your usual mode, you are aware. You think, `I need to press, I need to move.` Without the ball, and with the ball, I want `I need to change tempo, I need to advance.`”
Christian Pulisic echoed this sentiment, particularly regarding the contrast between the USMNT`s and Panama`s intensity on Thursday, although he considers discussions about intensity levels somewhat simplistic.
“After a loss, it`s easy to attribute it to the opponent`s greater aggression and heart,” Pulisic commented. “I certainly see the significance of the game for teams like Panama. It`s their ultimate priority, something we can learn from.”
Tyler Adams highlighted inconsistent individual performances as hindering the USMNT`s ability to produce strong team performances.
“We need a collective improvement in individual performances. Strong individual showings in international football are usually contagious,” Adams noted. “You find support, positivity emerges within the team, and combining these individual efforts leads to a cohesive team performance.”
Pochettino: “We Have Time”
The CNL games were always intended as a progress evaluation for the USMNT in their preparation for the 2026 World Cup on home soil, an event anticipated to significantly boost soccer`s popularity in the nation. Central to this growth is a US team capable of delivering impactful performances. While Pochettino`s initial months were promising, recent matches have prompted a reassessment of the team`s potential.
This USMNT iteration is achieving traditional markers of success unlike its predecessors. A majority of the core roster plays in Europe, with a record 11 players participating in this season`s UEFA Champions League. Some, like Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, are top performers in their leagues. However, many are squad players for their clubs, and notable individuals like Matt Turner and Gio Reyna have struggled for consistent playing time. It`s arguable that this inconsistency has hampered their development, and the promising group hasn`t made substantial progress since the 2022 World Cup.
The European presence of USMNT players presents challenges – such as fatigue from long flights to Los Angeles and limited training sessions before the first game. Coupled with key injuries to players like Robinson, Sergino Dest, and Folarin Balogun, the circumstances are less than ideal for a team developing a new identity under a new coach. They maintain faith in the process, however nascent, given the significant task ahead.
“Our journey is about growing soccer in America,” Adams stated. “Negativity towards our building process hinders the sport`s growth. We aim to be catalysts, and success is crucial for fostering optimism. We must strive to be a team that people support passionately, through exciting play, victories, amazing goals, whatever it may be. Winning definitely breeds optimism.”
Pochettino also emphasized the benefit of addressing growing pains now rather than next year.
“We need to change, and while I`m not happy with the results, negative outcomes provide learning opportunities,” he said. “It`s preferable now because we have time. If we face this situation in a year, it would signal a major problem and a failure to identify the best strategy and equip the team to adapt. We have time now, and it`s better to address this today than a year from now.”
There is an argument that the USMNT will glean valuable lessons from their CNL Finals disappointment, although many years have passed without clear progress beyond the learning phase. With approximately 15 months until their World Cup opener, time is of the essence.
Luna Seizes His Opportunity
Amidst the USMNT`s setbacks, midfielder Diego Luna emerged as a bright spot. After participating in January camps for MLS players in 2024 and 2025, the 21-year-old earned a call-up to the full squad and started against Canada, assisting Patrick Agyemang`s first-half goal. Pochettino praised Luna as a standout performer, citing him as an example for other players.
“Diego Luna performed well,” he commented. “His desire and hunger are what we seek, not to diminish others. He`s an example. When informed he would play, he was ready.”
Pulisic echoed the positive assessment of Luna, with whom he played for the first time internationally on Sunday.
“He`s an amazing young player,” Pulisic said of Luna. “He has a very promising future. You could see it today. He brings something unique. He`s got heart, and I admire his playing style. He has a big future ahead.”
Luna`s upward trajectory is notable, especially considering he was initially excluded from the U-23 USMNT`s Olympic roster last summer and declined an alternate spot, even considering representing Mexico. He arrived at this month`s games with personal motivation, resulting in him being cap-tied to the USMNT.
“Not being recognized and not yet playing in Europe, things like that,” Luna explained regarding his mindset entering camp. “My path has been different from many players, from academy to USL to MLS to not playing and now starting. It`s been a unique journey, and I always have a chip on my shoulder.”
He also expressed a sentiment that would likely resonate with Pochettino.
“Coming from a challenging background and fighting for everything motivates me,” Luna said. “It`s easy for me to strive for more, work harder for my family, my son, my parents. It`s about playing for the national team crest. What greater motivation is there? Playing for your country is the pinnacle of soccer.”
