Welcome to another week of football action. Despite being in the peak of summer, the soccer world continues to provide plenty to discuss. We`re following the Women`s Euro, the Club World Cup, a heating-up transfer window, and reflecting on the USMNT`s recent loss in the Gold Cup final. Let`s get into the key takeaways!
Upcoming Matches
All times U.S./Eastern
- Monday, July 7: Women`s Euro – Spain vs. Belgium, 12 p.m.
- Monday, July 7: Women`s Euro – Portugal vs. Italy, 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 8: Women`s Euro – Germany vs. Denmark, 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 8: Women`s Euro – Poland vs. Sweden, 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 8: Club World Cup – Fluminense vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m.
USMNT Suffers Defeat to Mexico in Gold Cup Final
The next competitive fixture for the U.S. Men`s National Team is set for June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium, marking the start of their home World Cup campaign. While anticipating this milestone, it would have been beneficial for the team`s morale to conclude the recent competitive cycle on a positive note. Unfortunately, this wasn`t the case.
After an encouraging start that saw Chris Richards score in the fourth minute, the U.S. team ultimately lost 2-1 to Mexico. This victory allowed Mexico to add the Gold Cup title to their Nations League success, re-establishing their position at the forefront of CONCACAF football this year.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino had little reason to dispute the outcome. The U.S. managed only six shots compared to Mexico`s 16 in Houston. Pochettino did voice frustration over a specific incident in the 67th minute involving a potential handball by Jorge Sanchez in the penalty area, which wasn`t called. However, even with this point of contention, the U.S. performance wasn`t enough to earn a win.
Following Raul Jimenez`s equalizer, Mexico controlled the game at NRG Stadium. They outshot the USMNT 12-5, completed significantly more passes in the opposition half (96 vs 31), and had a considerable advantage in penalty box touches (34 vs 14). Edson Alvarez`s winning goal in the 77th minute felt inevitable, and a penalty call likely wouldn`t have altered the overall momentum of the match. As noted by Charlie Davies, it wasn`t a winning display from the USA side.
Davies: `Overall, this was a terrible performance. This was difficult to watch. They brought the fight, they got the early goal, we`re all hyped but they weren`t connecting passes after that. Mexico woke up, they started keeping possession. Any time we did win the ball, we gave it right back. Sloppy passes, miscalculated passes, long balls when they should be short, short when they should be long. Ultimately, that was not a great game to watch.`
It`s important to acknowledge a significant factor: this was not the USMNT`s primary squad. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and Folarin Balogun were absent. In this context, a key objective for Pochettino was likely to evaluate the depth of the talent pool. Throughout the summer, several players have shown potential to make a significant impact next summer, including Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, and Matt Freese. Their performances before Sunday`s final suggested at least one could be in the starting lineup at SoFi Stadium.
While the final defeat was disappointing against a major rival, there are positives to build upon heading into matches against South Korea and Japan in September. The Gold Cup run helped highlight areas needing improvement within the team structure.
Though complicated, the USMNT`s Gold Cup journey represented a form of redemption, shifting the overall sentiment from pessimism. The focus now is on Pochettino and his staff finding the right tactical balance. The emergence of several promising players from this summer`s squad doesn`t guarantee the team will live up to expectations next year, but it certainly improves their chances of realizing their potential, though tempered expectations may still be advisable.
Looking ahead, the U.S. team desires more opportunities for seriously competitive matches. This is a challenge faced by a World Cup host nation, as they don`t need to qualify. The competitive games are over, ending on a somewhat disappointing note. The value of this summer should hopefully stem from the experiences gained rather than the silverware missed.
As Women`s Euro Heats Up, Can Anyone Stop Spain?
There`s nothing quite like a 16-team summer international tournament. While larger World Cups offer global participation, the European Championships, like the current one, move at a swift pace. The tournament recently began, and we already have our first team confirmed for the knockout stages: Norway, who defeated Finland and then saw their spot secured when Switzerland eliminated Iceland.
Spain could soon join them. After a dominant 5-0 victory over Portugal, they are strong favorites against Belgium in Thun. The reigning world champions have been in devastating form, currently on a six-game winning streak. Their squad could be further bolstered by the return of Ballon d`Or winner Aitana Bonmati, who has recovered from viral meningitis. Despite their impressive start, Spain isn`t showing complacency, according to Olga Carmona.
Carmona: `We have to keep our feet on the ground despite the great result the other day. We can`t make the mistake of being overconfident. We know Belgium are a great team, we`ve played against them a lot and we know they`re going to make it very difficult for us, so we have to stay very alert, go out there giving 100%, and we want to win.`
What about Spain`s competitors? Germany had a solid start and will need to adapt against Denmark following captain Giulia Gwinn`s serious knee injury sustained in their 2-0 win against Poland. Meanwhile, the clash between two other favorites on Saturday saw France triumph 2-1 over England, meaning England faces a tough challenge against the Netherlands to advance to the quarterfinals. Sandy Baltimore and Elisa de Almeida were standout performers for France.
France might emerge as a dark horse in the lower half of the bracket, but as the next match day begins, Spain is expected to once again demonstrate their quality. They remain the team to beat, and by a significant margin.
