The sight of Matt Freese diving to his right, fists clenched in defiance, was the kind of moment U.S. soccer fans cling to. His three penalty saves against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinal weren’t just heroics, they were lifelines. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had flirted with disaster, squandering leads, missing chances, and conceding soft goals. But they survived. They advanced. And now they’re in a semifinal once again.
There’s belief, there’s fight, and there’s progress. But if the United States wants to do more than just survive the 2026 World Cup on home soil, it must stop relying on grit alone.
Culture shift, but cracks remain
This Gold Cup has revealed signs of a cultural reset. Pochettino’s no-nonsense approach—benching underperforming veterans, demanding high-intensity training, and publicly emphasizing collective will over individual preference—has reshaped the locker room. Players like Malik Tillman and Diego Luna have seized larger roles. Freese has emerged as a genuine No. 1 contender. Even amid the chaos of the quarterfinal, the team held its composure. That kind of resilience doesn’t happen by accident.
Still, the foundation remains shaky. Tactical consistency has yet to take root. The USMNT has experimented with variations of the 4-2-3-1, rotated midfield partnerships, and leaned on untested forwards. Key figures like Pulisic, McKennie, Dest, Robinson, and Adams haven’t played meaningful minutes together in over a year. Tyler Adams acknowledged the rarity of a week-long break before the Costa Rica match. While helpful for tactics, it also highlighted how unusual it’s been to have sustained time together.
The gaps are evident. Defensive lapses persist. Game management still feels reactive. And while individual brilliance flashes often enough, the team still lacks control in transition and rhythm in possession.
What’s working
To dismiss the progress entirely would miss the bigger picture. There are clear positives:
- Mentality: This group has shown grit, bouncing back from a four-game losing streak and gutting out a shootout win.
- Emerging depth: Luna, Tillman, Arfsten, and Berhalter have stepped up and shown they belong.
- Goalkeeping clarity: Freese has forced his way into the World Cup conversation.
- Accountability: Pochettino has made it clear—there are no untouchables.
And perhaps most important of all, there’s a renewed sense of unity. As veteran Tim Ream said, “We all have each other’s backs.”
What must change now
Only five FIFA international windows remain between now and next summer. That’s not much time. Pochettino needs to use every opportunity to establish clarity and build continuity:
- Settle the core: The Adams-McKennie-Pulisic triangle must play together consistently. So must the preferred back line.
- Pick a system and commit: If 4-2-3-1 is the blueprint, then drill it, refine it, and stick to it with the A team.
- Stop over-rotating squads: The time for broad experimentation is over. Build chemistry with the players most likely to start in 2026.
- Train for adversity: The U.S. can’t afford to always react. Learn how to close out games and manage pressure.
- Schedule real tests: Friendlies should simulate World Cup knockout pressure. That means facing top-tier opponents and hostile environments.
A team in transition
Beating Guatemala won’t fix these issues. Even lifting the Gold Cup wouldn’t erase them. But this summer can be a springboard—if the lessons are absorbed and applied.
Pochettino doesn’t need to overhaul everything. He needs to install a structure strong enough to withstand what’s coming in 2026. The crowds will be bigger, the pressure higher, and the margin for error smaller. This U.S. team has shown it has promise.
Now it needs polish.
And the clock is ticking.
Grit won’t be enough: Why the USMNT must build smarter for 2026
