After winning four consecutive matches under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States face a crossroads 15 months before joining Canada and Mexico as co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
Canada took third place in the Concacaf Nations League with a 2-1 victory at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. The US defeat, which came 72 hours after a 1-0 loss to Panama in Thursday’s semi-finals, meant the home side finished fourth in a competition they won in its three previous editions.
For Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, the problem lies not in talent or tactics but in temperament.
“We know we can play better,” McKennie said. “It wasn’t that we didn’t have control of the games that we played in. But at the end of the day, Panama and Canada just seemed like they fought a little bit harder than us. That can’t be the case, especially moving forward, especially with being a year away from the World Cup.”
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner believes lack of exuberance translates into lack of execution.
“There needs to be a minimum expectation of intensity, of fight, of passion,” Turner said. “What we had to do was clear and we weren’t able to execute it consistently over 90 minutes in both games – you know, critical errors, critical mistakes, guys not taking ownership in big moments.”
Jonathan David scored the winning goal, breaking a 1-1 tie in the 59th minute. David received Ali Ahmed’s pass in the penalty area, took one touch to his left and unleashed a curling shot that settled inside the left post far beyond Turner’s reach.
The result raises questions about the immediate future of the US program, and rewarded Canada for a more adventurous game plan that saw Les Rouges generate more scoring chances more consistently throughout the 90 minutes. Canada out-shot the United States, 9-5, and took four shots on target compared to two for the hosts.
“Obviously, we never really found a rhythm and were aggressive enough in the attack to create enough chances,” midfielder Christian Pulisic said. “I’d love to find different ways that I can get the ball and make a difference. It just felt like I wasn’t able to really punch a mark on the game, which is always tough for an attacking player.”
Despite the collective frustration, Pochettino maintained a calm perspective.
“I think everyone saw and felt that after Panama and Canada, there are things we need to improve a lot,” Pochettino said. “I think we need to approach the games and the camps in a different way. But I say there’s still a lot of time to the World Cup. Now it’s time to be calm, analyze the last two games, and then, like I told the players, be sure you’re ready.”
Yet Pochettino also issued a warning: “If we will be in this situation today, in one year’s time, for sure, I will tell you, Houston, we have a problem, no? SOS.”
After the semifinal loss to Panama, Pochettino replaced five starters from that match’s lineup and used a different tactical formation.
Instead of employing a three-man backline with wingbacks as he did against Panama, Pochettino started Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie and Max Arfsten along with Joe Scally as a flat back four. Scally was the only defender who started against Panama.
In the midfield, Diego Luna entered the lineup and played in front of holding midfielders McKennie and Tyler Adams and McKennie, with Patrick Agyemang serving as the lone striker in front of attacking midfielders Pulisic and Tim Weah.
As a result, the United States played at a more deliberate pace, building slowly from the back.
Canada suffered a significant loss when Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies left the match in the 12th minute after colliding with Agyemang and Weah. Trainers applied ice to Davies’ right knee before he left. Nevertheless, Canada took the lead when Tani Oluwaseyi scored in the 27th minute.
Ahmed began the scoring sequence with a cross from the left side of the penalty area to David, whose shot deflected off McKenzie. The ball fell to Oluwaseyi, who poked the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Agyemang equalized in the 35th minute. McKennie started the play with a long ball to Weah on the left flank, who avoided three defenders. Weah passed from the left side of the penalty area to Luna, who poked a short left-footed pass to Agyemang. The striker’s 11-yard shot deflected off goalkeeper Dayne St Clair’s right leg.
Gio Reyna, considered one of the United States’ most dynamic players, entered the match in the 69th minute but made no impact.
The United States now turns its attention to the Concacaf Gold Cup, which will start on 14 June and which could prove pivotal in the squad’s development.
“I think for us, Gold Cup is going to be a huge, huge opportunity, not only to have more time with the staff and be together in the same environment, but also push each other and go up against these teams,” Turner said. “We can then right the ship and hopefully lift the trophy in front of our fans.”
