What the Gold Cup revealed about the USMNT’s World Cup hopes

This is an incident for an incident American men’s national teamThings left for a rocky start, one of the many starts for squad deficiency and disappointing friendly necklace turkey And Switzerland,

When the matches were counted, however, Maurisio Pochtino & Co. rebounded well. Was perfect in USMNT Golden bowl Group stage, knockout-round out of winning Costa Rica And GuatemalaA commendable, gritty performance-in view of the youth and inexperience of their squad-in the last 2-1 last necklace Mexico,

Therefore, as the player needs some much rest and relaxation before the player is barely closed in a month’s time, where does it leave America? ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle and Caesar Hernandez reflect on the Gold Cup runs of Americans and conclude with an eye in the next summer FIFA World Cup On the soil of the house.

Is a runner-up ending a successful gold cup?

Carlisle: Yes. This certainly helps that the expectations were as low, when they could thank for the 4–0 loss to Switzerland in the tournament, when the US did not look competitive from a distance. But this team included most Of mls The players went, and as far as its talent can take it, went about.

Was there some close calls? Definitely. Actually they need to be. But he reflected the results seen in 2021 on a large scale when one side which was less than full force won the Gold Cup. I also wonder when you consider how injuries occur Haji Wright And Johnny Cardso Pochtino’s depth cut, the US good that it was done as far as it was done. And there is no shame in losing the final for the Mexico squad, which was very close to full force.

More than anything, the players created their stock and gained experience. Now it is a trick as to what was completed.

Hernandez: Keeping in mind that the national team was going with a losing four-game losing in the tournament and A lot of off-the-field noiseWe can certainly consider a success in each other.

Given, some very narrow win – including a dramatic penalty shootout in the quarter -finals, which led to almost completely different conversations about the American team in this summer – but to maintain their perseverance until the final due to Credit Pochathino and their alternative roster.

Despite the end of the bitwatch against a strong Mexico side beating the US in Sunday’s championship match, Pocheto should feel the material about the insight before the next summer World Cup. For your players, the experience earned for many MLS-based options in knockout-round matches is invaluable.

Which player put his claim best for the World Cup place?

Hernandez: Either as a starter or the first option from the bench, Diego Luna In 2026, we look ready to become an important, game-changing player for USMNT.

All gas and no break, the 21 -year -old attacker played with an intensity by the midfielder, unmatched by any other member of the roster, and on the way, he earned three goals and two assistance in six appearances. Dynamic, hungry for the ball and ready to take the necessary risk, California was a real pleasure to see – especially against Guatemala with its two goals in the first 15 minutes.

But there is a place for improvement. As seen against Mexico, and possibly because of how Pchethino held Xi, Luna became silent in the biggest game of her small national team’s career. Nevertheless, if he continues to grow at the speed seen from last year, he may soon reach the next summer or two levels.

Carlisle: Chris richardsEntering the tournament, the center-back pairing was for the tombs. Richards – and to some extent Tim rem – Seized it with both hands and showed no sign of letting it go. Not only did Richards defend with composer and solidity, but they scored some goals with some goals. Oh, and by the way, he has become a leader in this team. This will be important when the entire team will be held more in September.

I would say at this stage, health permission, Richards has closed one of the early places for the World Cup, which is counted as excellent news for Pchethheno. The team has been very high and its construction has been in flow. A player will help the American manager better sleep at night in his own position to create a position.

How Pochtino paid rent in its first major tournament?

Carlisle: I would say that Pochetino is doing … okay, but okay what is paying for the American Football Federation. They are paying for excellence, and it has not come yet.

To be clear: Pchethheno had not easy, with a brief runway for the next year’s World Cup, as well as the fact that he is without its top players for a long time. I think Pochetino performed well with the group he had made available in the Gold Cup, but it is also clear that they need to bring back more talented players at some point. Talent matters.

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Where did this go wrong for USMNT in the Gold Cup final?

The “Fubol America” ​​crew debate wrong for the United States in the Gold Cup final for the United States in a 2–1 defeat.

Problem: I understand that he is dodging some cultural issues around the team, that is, the lack of competition and decency within the squad that is set. I think for him, this process is more difficult than expected. Although this happens, he needs to bring those players on board. This will eventually determine whether his time is a success or failure as an American manager.

Hernandez: If we are giving it a letter grade, suppose it is close to C+.

It is a passing grade, and has achieved success in summer, but an understanding that it is also bare minimum when you consider the resume and pedigree of pochethino. Certainly, it was mostly an alternative group in the Gold Cup and is in a job for less than a year, but with the latest squad and the previous call-up, has he raised the national team to the level that was expected when he first arrived?

On the field, there are still questions. The same can also be said how he has to manage the culture of his team. Pochettino seems surprised at the overlapping mentality of American football – “When we talk about culture, there is culture,” Argentina said about the players of Guatemala and fans in St. Luis – and it is advisable to say that it is advisable to say His behavior with an absent Christian Could have been better.

Can USMNT move beyond some of its high-profile absents?

Hernandez: Many marquee players still need a lot. Pochathino and their roster should feel proud of their perseverance and dogma in the Gold Cup, but the reality is that they were really pulsic, Antony Robinson, Weston McCeni, Foller Balogun, Timothy Vah, Sergino Dest And other absent stars who would have helped working against Mexico.

For most of the names, we should not ignore their previous World Cup experience which will be promoted before 2026. This is also a case-by-case situation, though.

Looking at and down on the list, what they need Giovanni ReyanaOr Yumns MusaThey will probably be in the mixture in the next summer, but so far, we cannot confidently say that they are an important piece of puzzles.

Carlisle: Managing is not just about keeping the best 11 players on the field. It is to make them a harmonious team along with the alchemy. By the end of the Gold Cup, it was clear that the group was integrated and fighting for each other.

But if the Gold Cup final proved everything, the US still needs all talents that can muster it, and how Pchethheno added to the projected first teams, will determine whether it ends with chemistry or chaos.

Some of them are no-grareners, such as Robinson and Dest. They will both do a lot to kickstart the US attack alone. Balogun is another, assuming that he can stay healthy. Police, for McCeni and the rest, who will see snipping.

Playing time at the club level will be the final decisive, which is not good for the world’s ranus. Finally, I think most people come back, but when and how to see.

Did the players understand what Pochtino wants from them?

Carlisle: For most parts, they understood. It is understandable that it was the closest thing to the club’s atmosphere that Pchethino and players would experience together. Pocheto was in his element and the players responded by buying in their ways. The way the players pulled and supported each other, the way they said that it was proved Malik Tilman A case in a case after her penalty against Costa Rica.

Performance is a different issue. Obviously, as the game became more difficult, the execution began to decrease slightly. A part of it will come as these players continue to gain more experience.

Pocheto made some head-and-headed decisions, including deployment Max arfasten In a fullback when his defensive abilities did not have much internal argument. But by the end of the tournament, the defense of Arftens was greatly improved, an example of the team’s desire to adapt.

Hernandez: It remains for debate.

Patience and determination were there because they used to operate their way in the finals, but were in a few moments during the tournament, in which the ideas did not fully seek or understood. The in-game management was sometimes suspected, leading to strategic change that caused confusion for some of his players.

To be fair for Pochtino, he was simply dealing with the hand that he was given with an alternative roster. No matter what the manager’s in -charge caliber, any coach had a challenging time to find harmony and create an identity. That unity was eventually built by the final, but it was not enough just like a powerhouse. El tri,

What lesson can America take from Gold Cup?

Hernandez: A major lesson was identifying the individual players who could reach the occasion in moments of high pressure.

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Pochettino clearly speaks of ’embarrassing’ no-call on Mexico Handball

The manager of the USMNT Mauricio Pcheto spoke about the punishment not to be issued after the clear handball of George Sanches of Mexico in the box.

Tilman, Luna, Richards, Mat freeze And others took charge when needed on the pitch, showing another lesson: value of mental cruelty from the summer squad.

Luna said after his semi -final win over Guatemala, “It’s patience, it is determined that we are lacking. To be honest, it is fighting till the end. Every ball, every moment,” said Luna after his semi -final victory over Guatemala. “About the moments about the game, and I think this is where we show it.”

Looking forward, a major function for pochtino will maintain the energy when their stars return.

Carlisle: Vibes Matter. If the group buys, and the players fight for each other, then good things can happen. It seems simple, but if it was true, the US would not have placed the egg in the ConcacAF Nations League in March when it seemed that the team was going through movements collectively.

The battle of the team used to be basic. Recently it has become lachted and van – mostly van. It was present on a more consistent basis as a positive.

Learning to perform in hostile environment is counted as another step for this group. Yes, the result of Mexico was not what America wanted, but these players would be put in good place by coming in contact with such situations.