After Gold Cup Loss, U.S. Men’s Team Now Immediately Shifts to 2026 World Cup

Gold Cup: After Gold Cup Loss, U.S. Men’s Team Shifts Focus to 2026 World Cup

Updated Jul. 7, 2025, 12:40 p.m. ET

Doug McIntyre, Soccer Journalist

HOUSTON — U. 8888 casinoS. Men’s National Team’s Ambitions

The goal of the U.S. men’s national team on Sunday was to clinch a trophy against their chief rival, Mexico. With a squad full of top players and a sold-out audience of 70,000 mostly supporting El Tri at NRG Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Unfortunately for the Americans, they came up short.

In a tightly contested match, Mexico secured a 2-1 victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup final, despite the U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino arguing that his team deserved a penalty kick in the second half while the score was tied. Ultimately, Mexico dominated much of the game.

A Season of Growth Despite Setbacks

Despite the defeat, the summer tournament has been a positive experience for Pochettino and his team, which was missing key players like Christian Pulisic along with several others over the last five weeks. The summer’s journey has sent a clear message about the team’s outlook, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching on home soil in less than a year. casino online betting

“It has to translate right away, or I think Mauricio just probably won’t call people in,” stated U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams, one of the few locks for the upcoming World Cup roster, alongside regulars like Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, and Tim Ream.

Resilience and Character Displayed

After entering the Gold Cup on a four-game losing streak—their longest in nearly two decades—the USMNT was able to secure five straight wins to make it to the finals. More importantly, they displayed resilience, character, and pride, qualities that had been lacking since the 2022 World Cup jili22 new com.

“I think we understand what the standard is now,” Ream remarked. “We know what we need to do on and off the field, as well as the culture that is expected of us bk8 việt nam. It took a little longer than it should have, but better late than never.”

Pochettino: A New Era

The arrival of Pochettino, who was previously the highly-regarded coach of Chelsea, Tottenham, and PSG, shook things up for a squad that was among the youngest during the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Most players had never experienced coaching under anyone but Gregg Berhalter, who was let go after a disappointing Copa América showing last summer.

Pochettino, known for his old-school approach, demands total commitment from each player. He was taken aback by the U.S. team’s fourth-place finish at the Nations League finals in March and distressed that several key players, notably Pulisic, opted out of participating in the Gold Cup following that setback.

With some of the European-based stars missing, Pochettino opted for a roster heavily comprised of MLS players. While the squad may have lacked pedigree, they compensated with raw hunger and determination. Emerging players like Diego Luna have solidified their spots on the World Cup roster and may even vie for starting positions next summer.

Building a Strong Foundation

“There are a few non-negotiables moving forward,” said center back Richards, who scored the sole U.S. goal on Sunday. “When everyone comes back into camp, we need to hold each other accountable and, hopefully, add some quality to the squad. We’ll become a really tough team to beat.”

As the team prepares for next year’s pivotal tests, time is of the essence. They will have ten preparatory matches leading up to their 2026 World Cup opener, all happening during short FIFA windows. The team will face South Korea and Japan in September, and they will need to hit the ground running with regular players expected to return.

The young fullbacks Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman showed tremendous improvement during the Gold Cup. Sebastian Berhalter had several key assists, and Luna emerged as a standout player throughout the tournament. “These youngsters are gaining loads of experience,” stated Ream. “They’ve proven they can adapt and contribute significantly.”

Established Leaders Emerging Amidst Youth

It wasn’t just the youngsters who stepped up. Ream, approaching his 38th birthday, asserted himself in the starting lineup alongside Richards. Meanwhile, Tillman and midfielder Luca De La Torre experienced significant playing time. With absent star players, they took on larger roles both on and off the field.

“Chris Richards has taken on a vocal leadership role, ensuring everyone is on task and in the right positions,” Ream pointed out. “Malik is quiet but leads by example.” Discovering more leaders within the group has been a big positive and sets a solid foundation for the future.

Most of the players who missed the Gold Cup will undoubtedly return. However, for them to rejoin, it will be on Pochettino’s terms, and they can expect a more seasoned supporting cast upon their return.

In the meantime, the coach will not soon forget the dedication of those who exceeded expectations this summer, from Adams, the U.S. captain during the 2022 World Cup, to third-string goalkeeper Chris Brady.

“At the season’s end, I was definitely drained,” said Adams, who plays for Bournemouth in England’s Premier League. “Yet mentally, I felt compelled to grind and be a role model for my teammates because I love playing for this team and this country. I told every single player after the match how proud I was—not just of their individual growth, but of our development as a team. phdream tricks”

What’s Next for the U.S. Men’s National Team?

Given these developments, how do you think the U.S. Men’s National Team can prepare effectively for the upcoming World Cup?