The United States national team is facing a critical juncture after suffering a third consecutive defeat under new coach Mauricio Pochettino. The loss to Canada at SoFi Stadium marked the end of their four-match winning streak and exposed several vulnerabilities in the team’s performance.
“We know we can play better,” said midfielder Weston McKennie, who attributed the defeat to Panama and Canada’s greater intensity. “We need to be more aggressive and passionate in our game plan.”
Goalkeeper Matt Turner echoed this sentiment, stating that a lack of exuberance translates into poor execution. The team was outshot 9-5 by Canada and created fewer scoring chances despite possessing more possession.
Despite the setbacks, Pochettino maintained a calm perspective, acknowledging areas where the team needs to improve. “We need to approach the games and camps in a different way,” he said. “But I say there’s still time to work on these issues before the World Cup.”
Pochettino also warned that if the team remains in this situation in one year, it could be a major concern. The US will now focus on the Concacaf Gold Cup, which begins June 16 and offers an opportunity for the squad to develop and right their ship.
As the team looks ahead, midfielder Christian Pulisic expressed frustration with his own performance. “I’d love to find different ways to make a difference,” he said. “But we need to be more aggressive and creative in our attacks.”
The US will have to regroup and refocus if they are to overcome their current slump and compete at the highest level ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/23/canada-usmnt-nations-league-third-place