Crisis in USMNT: Price of Success? Analysis of the present and future.

The US Men’s National Team in Crisis Despite Victories

Despite obtaining two victories at the start of the Concacaf Gold Cup, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) seems to be mired in a crisis. Several key figures have requested not to participate in the tournament, and other important players are unavailable due to commitments with their clubs. Players like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and Yunus Musah have asked to be excluded from the Gold Cup. In addition, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Timothy Weah were unable to participate due to their participation in the Club World Cup. Added to this are the absences due to injury of Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, who could have been important in the team. It was expected that the Gold Cup would be the last chance for the USMNT to prove themselves in competitive matches before next summer’s World Cup. However, with the absence of much of the expected starting lineup, the tournament has become an opportunity for less regular players to prove their worth. The defeats in the friendlies against Switzerland and Turkey, with a combined score of 6-1, have highlighted problems in the team. The performance was uninspiring, and the attitude of the team’s stars drew criticism.

Former USMNT player Landon Donovan criticized Pulisic’s commitment to the national team. Pulisic responded and revealed that he had asked Pochettino if he could play in the friendlies and then skip the Gold Cup.

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This situation has led Pochettino to clarify his role as coach, emphasizing that he is the one who makes decisions about the squad. The USMNT, under Pochettino’s direction, promised steady growth, but instead, its best players seem to prioritize other activities. Parents of players clash with former players, and the captain and coach air their problems publicly. Despite this, the situation could be seen as part of the growth process, as the United States becomes a soccer powerhouse.

Why is the USMNT Not as Important Anymore?

American soccer players might not feel the same fervor for the USMNT as before, which, in the long run, could be beneficial. In 1994, modern American soccer was in its infancy. Most players lacked the ability to play abroad, and the U.S. Soccer Federation employed much of the squad full-time. In contrast, today, a growing number of American players compete in European leagues, and the importance of winning matches with the USMNT has diminished. With young American talents in the academies of the most important clubs in the world, several players with high transfer values and a growing participation in the Champions League, the national team has lost some of its relevance.

The Pulisic Paradox

The Champions League has become the pinnacle of football, generating billions of dollars and offering a superior level of play. This has created tensions between leagues and national federations, between players and their national teams, and between the expectations of fans and reality. Players like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, world-renowned figures, have achieved their status primarily through their performance at their clubs. Their careers in the national team are, in a way, secondary. Physical and mental fatigue is a problem for many high-level players, due to the large number of matches they play. A recent FIFPro study revealed that 70% of the players surveyed consider a guaranteed rest season necessary. For last season, an “excessive workload” was defined as playing 55 or more matches, and for players who reached that mark, 30% of their matches were with their national team. Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player and Uruguay representative, highlighted the demanding schedule, especially for South American players due to the long trips. This has led to American players competing in Europe wishing to spend less time with their national teams.

Kasey Keller analyzes the situation between Christian Pulisic and Mauricio Pochettino, where Pochettino states that Pulisic cannot dictate which matches he plays in. Pulisic has played 58 games since last August, and his teammate, Yunus Musah, would have surpassed 55 games if he had played this summer. Both have traveled more than 85,000 kilometers this season. A FIFPro study compared young players with their older compatriots. At 25, Pulisic had already played 338 matches with clubs and the national team, while Donovan had played 280 at the same point in his career. Pulisic’s injuries have affected his participation.

The USMNT Has Become Just Another Team

The idea of a unified American football model, with a professionalized and defined way of playing, is unlikely to materialize. The reality is that players dedicate most of their time to their clubs. National teams face limitations in terms of player availability and training time, which hinders team cohesion. Players do not receive salaries as high for playing in the national team as they do in their clubs, and matches are scheduled during club season breaks or at the end of a grueling European calendar. The number of truly important matches these national teams play every four years is limited.

Herculez Gomez reacts to the “embarrassing” situation of the USMNT after Christian Pulisic responded to the criticism. As more Americans excel in Europe, it’s natural that problems and disappointments arise. This is common in the most important national teams. The instability in selections such as Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Germany, and England demonstrates that the USMNT’s problems are normal. The arrival of a renowned coach does not guarantee an immediate solution. The lack of commitment from the players and the criticism from former players are symptoms of the changes in modern football. However, the unpredictable nature of international football renders all of this irrelevant next summer, as players will focus on the World Cup. History shows that pre-tournament dysfunction doesn’t always correlate with performance in the tournament. In August 2022, Morocco was in a worse situation than the USMNT, but reached the World Cup semi-finals four months later.