HARRISON, N.J. – With the World Cup just nine months away, expecting national teams to be a fully polished entity, particularly in experimental friendly matches, isn`t realistic. However, teams heading to the World Cup should at least hint at their potential final form. For the U.S. Men`s National Team (USMNT), this ideal state was once described by coach Mauricio Pochettino as `organized chaos.` Yet, in their recent 2-0 loss to South Korea on Saturday, both organization and any semblance of stylistic unpredictability were notably absent.
Almost a year into his tenure, Pochettino`s USMNT appears to have settled into a predictable pattern. The starting elevens often feature an unexpected blend of seasoned players and those few anticipated would be key figures when the Argentine took the helm. Each match effectively serves as a trial for peripheral players, with inconsistent individual performances frequently obscuring any clear tactical strategy. While player rotations and specific in-game mistakes vary, the accumulating seven losses in 17 matches have made following Pochettino`s USMNT a challenging endeavor.
Following the match, Pochettino remarked, “I think we should learn a lot,” before attempting to highlight positive aspects.
Pochettino wasn`t entirely incorrect in identifying potential areas for optimism. The USMNT registered 17 shots compared to South Korea`s 5, and boasted a significantly higher expected goals (xG) tally of 2.27 against their opponent`s 0.74. Furthermore, in the second half, after Pochettino introduced a back three featuring Tim Ream, Tristan Blackmon, and substitute Chris Richards, the home side allowed only one shot on target. The game, in some respects, hinged on key moments; the visitors capitalized efficiently on their four shots on target, securing two first-half goals, while the USMNT might feel unfortunate not to have scored themselves.
Pochettino commented, “Overall, I think we were better than South Korea, but ultimately, if you`re not decisive in your own penalty area and then in the opponent`s, it becomes challenging. Despite creating more opportunities, we had the impression we controlled the game, yet we conceded goals through specific lapses.” He added, “If I set the result aside, I am very pleased with our progression since the Gold Cup, even with different players and a varied roster. The players are also beginning to grasp our expectations. I believe the attitude was excellent, and our ability to stay competitive after falling 2-0 down was commendable against a very strong opponent.”
However, these crucial small moments proved expensive and undermined Pochettino`s position on Saturday. The coach had designated this month`s friendly matches, including an upcoming Tuesday fixture against Japan, as the final opportunity to assess less experienced players. Yet, Saturday`s display implied that Pochettino`s experimental phase might already be exhausted. The game starkly highlighted familiar USMNT weaknesses in both defensive and offensive play. The US defense continues to appear unsettled without Chris Richards, who was sidelined due to a minor camp arrival issue, and Antonee Robinson, who was rested for this international break. While Sergino Dest is exciting with the ball and eyes on goal, his defensive lapses, particularly evident during Son Heung-min`s 18th-minute goal, remain a concern.
Tristan Blackmon received the most scrutiny, failing to impress on either goal during his USMNT debut and doing little to challenge Tim Ream or Chris Richards for a starting spot. The Vancouver Whitecaps defender is the latest in a series of peripheral players given game time under Pochettino, with outcomes ranging from mixed to underwhelming for these novices plunged into the high-pressure environment of a national team grappling with a prolonged slump. Midfielder Tyler Adams, drawing on his own experience, suggested that initial impressions can often be misleading.
Adams stated, “I believe it`s incumbent upon the team`s leaders and core members to help these players feel at ease and perform optimally. Joining a national team isn`t always straightforward. I recall my first national team camp where my performance was subpar, so I empathize with their current situation as we approach the World Cup in just nine months. They likely experience pressure and nerves. This is the distinct environment of national team play, contrasting with the daily comfort found at a European club.”
Pochettino, with some justification, argued that actual game time is the sole method to genuinely assess player talents, seeing the fragmented performances as an expected outcome of his varied, experimental approach to preparing the team for a home World Cup.
Pochettino explained, “We are experimenting extensively. You might question, `Why Tristan today?` But we wanted to observe Tristan because we believe, based on his performances in Vancouver, he possesses the attributes for the national team, and he needs to gain experience at this caliber of play.”
Pochettino has adopted a remarkably fluid approach to team selection, deploying 14 distinct starting lineups across his 17 matches at the helm. While some adjustments prove effective, such as the back three formation he suggested could be a future option, others are introduced too late, leading to significant periods of unmanageable play. Although Pochettino`s USMNT managed a commendable recovery from a 2-0 deficit, the initial deficit itself was cause for concern, with the promised `organized chaos` overshadowed by disarray stemming from poor defensive structure.
During this experimental phase, the USMNT consistently appears to be chasing the game – a commendable endeavor, but perhaps one that has extended beyond its useful period. With every subsequent match, existing criticisms and expectations seem to be reinforced.
Adams elaborated, “We understood the game plan, but I believe our execution deviated somewhat. They identified our vulnerabilities quite easily in the first half. We discussed it during halftime, agreeing that if we shifted to a back three – with Diego Luna coming off and Josh Sargent joining in, and Christian Pulisic marking man-to-man – we were simply missing cues on many occasions and were too slow to react. When you react too late, you find yourself constantly playing catch-up, which is how it often felt.”
While Saturday`s game warrants some indulgence given its friendly status, it nonetheless signals the continuation of a concerning pattern: the USMNT has been outscored 11-2 in the first halves of their last seven matches against top-25 ranked opponents. Furthermore, Pochettino has only secured one victory against a team within FIFA`s top 30. This trend predates his arrival; his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, also had a modest record against top-20 teams, with five wins, four of which were against Mexico.
This raises a crucial question: Did the USMNT`s most recent defeat yield any valuable new insights, or was it merely another setback, fueling further apprehension as this pivotal summer approaches?
