The U.S. men’s national soccer team withdrew from the field at halftime, and boos echoed through Nashville, Tennessee’s Geodis Park. Every single one of them, deserved.The United States was already losing 4-0 against Switzerland and the score didn’t change anymore. The first half looked like a training session between the starting and substitute teams, with young players being exposed and outmatched. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, with a squad depleted by the absence of more than a dozen experienced players, opted for a starting eleven with several new faces.The decision proved fatal. Switzerland took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal by Dan Ndoye, and continued attacking with goals from Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi. The American defense was easily overwhelmed.The changes made at halftime and the modification to a three-defender line helped stop the bleeding. Pochettino admitted the changes were planned, but what other option did he have? Either way, there was no consolation.That was my decision, and it was my fault. The first part, all the criticism should be, or could be for me because I think that was my decision. But at the same time, it was the good intention to give all the players the chance to play and try to compete for a place in the World Cup.The defeat left worrying figures. According to statistics, the United States received four goals in the first 40 minutes for the first time since 1980. In addition, it had not lost four consecutive home games since 1988.The American defense was overwhelmed by Switzerland’s simple diagonal passes. Basic errors, such as not marking players and the lack of pressure in midfield, were evident. The youth of the starting team was a factor, but so was the lack of competitiveness.The team’s depth, at least the depth that could be useful for the next World Cup, is limited. Players like Nathan Harriel, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, and Quinn Sullivan did not perform up to par. The latter’s loss of the ball led to the fourth Swiss goal.
Regarding the Gold Cup, expectations were already low. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the United States eliminated before the final.To avoid this, Pochettino will have to bet on more experienced players. He also awaits the recovery of Tyler Adams, whose presence in the central midfield would help the younger players. However, the United States arrives at the Gold Cup with many doubts about its quality, its composure and its ability to adapt. There are also questions about the coach. For now, none of them can be answered positively. The next four weeks will determine if this version of the US national team can change that.I think there are some individual mistakes that we make, and we get punished for them at this level, and you see that all over the world. And that’s a learning process for a lot of players who are winning very, very few games, very few first games. And again, it’s a learning experience. We have to be calm; we have to keep our heads about us, analyze what happened in the first half, especially, and even the things in the second half that we can do better. And if we do that, we’ll be fine.
Tim Ream
