The U.S. men’s national soccer team did not want their July 4th holiday weekend to end with a loss, but the experience gained could be more valuable down the road. The 2-1 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament final was still a springboard to next summer’s World Cup.
How did the U.S. run end at the Gold Cup?
The U.S brought their backup players to the tournament, but that didn’t stop them from having an outstanding run to the final match. Midfielder Tyler Adams said that after a month playing together, the group of younger players felt like a family.
“We got so close over these five weeks,” Adams said. “So many guys sacrificed so much to be here, spend time away from their families, spend time away from their clubs and come together.”
On the pitch, the Americans scored the first goal Sunday, July 6, and looked to be in good form. Mexico answered later in the first half to take the match to halftime even at one goal apiece. There were some controversial moments in the second half, including a clear handball by a Mexican player that should have been a penalty kick for the U.S. The referee said it wasn’t intentional and thus didn’t call the foul, but U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino didn’t hold back in the post-match press conference.
“It’s not about to cry, it’s not about to complain, it’s not about to put excuses for different things,” Pochettino said. “But I think we can continue talking, for me it was embarrassing to see in that situation. It’s a shame.”
The game-winning goal by Mexico was also frustrating for Pochettino and his players. The header by Edson Álvarez was initially disallowed for offside, but after a VAR review the goal was deemed good.
What did the team gain during the Gold Cup?
Controversy aside, after four consecutive losses in friendly matches heading into the tournament, the U.S. completely turned things around over the last few weeks. They won three Gold Cup group stage matches and then two elimination matches to make it to the final. The team did it all without their best players, who sat out the tournament for various reasons. Pochettino believes the younger players who got a chance to shine have discovered their identity.
“The most important thing is to have our heads up because I think the tournament was fantastic,” Pochettino said. “I think we need to keep going. That is the way we want to be in the World Cup. In this way, I have no doubt we are going to be really, really competitive.”
Adding established national team stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest can only help next summer. They, along with several other USMNT regulars, decided to skip the Gold Cup to rest or play for their professional clubs.
How will the team adjust for the World Cup?
On June 8, former Team USA legend and now soccer analyst Landon Donovan called out those stars for skipping the Gold Cup tournament, saying they needed to take more pride in playing for their country. He had a more positive spin Sunday night after the loss.
“To get to the final and put in a really good effort against a good Mexico team was a positive,” Donovan said. “Although it hurts to lose, we don’t ever take solace in losing, but I think it was a big stepping stone for this team.”
The U.S. will have two friendly matches in September, against South Korea and Japan, to see where their progress stands before learning their World Cup draw in December. The question is how Pochettino will reintegrate those big-time stars into a group that took several steps without them over the last month.
Pochettino didn’t want to talk about the missing guys Sunday night, saying he wasn’t going to make excuses. He added that he and his staff were “people that are very open, the players that deserve to be on the team” will be there next summer.