The United States men’s soccer team suffered a 4-0 loss to Switzerland on Wednesday, marking their fourth consecutive defeat. The team is set to face Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match at the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday.
Disappointing Performance
Mauricio Pochettino’s side was thoroughly dominated by the Swiss, leading to strong criticism from former goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who expressed his disappointment, stating it was "the most embarrassed I have been for the US national team in a long time." Keller, who played in goal for the USA 102 times between 1990 and 2007, highlighted the team’s struggles.
Attendance Concerns
The poor attendance at recent matches has raised concerns among fans and pundits. Thousands of empty seats were reported at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium following the loss to Switzerland. Former striker Taylor Twellman attributed this apathy to a sense of disconnection from the U.S. men’s program, stating, "There’s just a sense of apathy around the United States men’s program."
Player Motivation and Commitment
Former U.S. soccer player Alexi Lalas shared similar sentiments during an episode of his podcast, State of The Union, saying, "In my opinion…they’re not even worth getting mad about anymore." He expressed sadness over the situation, noting that he used to feel passionate about the team’s performance.
Landon Donovan suggested that some players might be lacking motivation due to their current circumstances. During commentary for the Portugal vs. Spain UEFA Nations League match, he remarked, "[Ronaldo is] forty years old; he’s played a long ass season; he’s tired; he’s out there grinding hurt himself in process…and I can’t help but think about some guys on vacation not wanting to play in Gold Cup."
Social Media Debate
Mark Pulisic responded to Donovan’s comments by posting a photo that reminded fans of Donovan’s own sabbatical from the national team after winning the World Cup with the USMNT in 2014. This sparked a debate among fans regarding player motivation and commitment, especially in light of Pulisic’s mention of Ronaldo’s continued participation in soccer despite being older.
Pressure on Pochettino
This situation comes as Mauricio Pochettino faces pressure ahead of his first major tournament as head coach since joining U.S. Soccer last year. His appointment followed the departure of Gregg Berhalter, which was surrounded by controversy related to allegations made against him by former U.S. women’s star Mallory Pugh‘s ex-boyfriend, Jordan Morris‘ brother-in-law, John Herdman‘s wife, Kaylyn Kyle.
As the Gold Cup approaches, the U.S. men’s soccer team must address these challenges to regain the support of their fans and improve their performance on the field.
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