GOAL takes a look at the biggest keys as the USMNT pushes for a fourth straight CONCACAF Nations League trophy
LOS ANGELES – When he was first hired as U.S. men's national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino outlined the importance of winning. He wanted to make this program a serial winner, one that embraced the expectations on their shoulders. Win the training session, win the friendly, win the game, win the tournament – that's how you build a foundation. That's how you compete at a World Cup.
Generally, the USMNT has done a lot of winning at the CONCACAF Nations League. The team has lifted the trophy in each of the first three iterations of this tournament and, heading into the semifinals of a fourth, they're eager to defend that title. Up first is Panama at 7 p.m. ET Thursday at SoFi Stadium, with a date against Mexico or Canada waiting in a potential final on Sunday night.
Before Pochettino even arrived, the expectations for this tournament were made clear: win it.
And now that Pochettino is here? Now that he's had six months to start building his culture? Well, Pochettino knows it'll be tough, tougher than many are willing to admit but, no matter: win.
"I want to win the competition," he said this week, "because that is going to help us to build our confidence and trust in the way that we are going to need. At the same time, we need to be intelligent, to try to discover the best players and to build a strong core of the team that has the possibility to fight for big things. That mentality is about now, winning.
"There's not too much preparation, but being on together is to show there that we want to compete this weekend and we want to win. The objective is the World Cup, and I think we are translating the idea that we need to compete in our best way and win the tournament because I think it's important for the future. In one year, we want to compete for the big trophy: the World Cup."
The USMNT, admittedly, head into this tournament shorthanded. Some pre-tournament injuries meant several stars were never going to be involved. Late injuries ruled out three more, including superstar fullback Antonee Robinson, who was forced to withdraw from the squad this week because a recurring tendon issue. This will be a test of the USMNT's depth. More than anything, though, it'll be a test of Pochettino's culture.
GOAL takes a look at five key storylines as the USMNT take on Panama, look for more Nations League glory and continue the journey toward the 2026 World Cup.
Getty ImagesLessons from the fall
Normally, revisiting past games as comparisons is apples to oranges, particularly when you've experienced as much change as the USMNT has in the last year. Not this time. This is the first repeat opponent of the Pochettino era, which means we have some history to look back on ahead of Thursday's match.
In October, the USMNT faced Panama in Pochettino's first match in charge, winning 2-0 in Austin to give this new regime a positive start.
"Panama has grown a lot in the last few years, and much of the credit goes to their coach [Thomas Christiansen], who I know very well," Pochettino said on Tuesday reflecting on that win. "It's a very dangerous opponent and it's going to be tough because they have very good players and they are so clear about the ideas with how they need to play. I think it's a very good challenge for us.
"It was a challenge in Austin and it's going to be a challenge again. It's going to be exciting to watch the game and we're going to try and enjoy and have fun."
In that first Panama match, the goals were scored by Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi and, although the latter won't be here, the play of the former could offer some insight into how the USMNT may line up on Thursday. Musah was deployed as something of a wingback in that match, with Pochettino pointing to his prior knowledge of the American star's game as a backbone for that tactical switch.
"When he arrived, we were talking to him and trying to raise his confidence, maybe starting in a different position, but it was just one he's played in the past," Pochettino said at the time. "I think that was a good decision. It's always worth trying to build his confidence to make a player feel that he can perform on the pitch. By the way, I knew him when was young and played in the academy of Arsenal and then moved to Valencia and played in the position that today we used. I think it's not new for him."
Given the absences at fullback, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pochettino do something similar, deploying Musah, Tim Weah or both as wingbacks. There's evidence that it worked before.
AdvertisementGettyLife without Robinson
There are probably only two truly irreplaceable players in the USMNT player pool. Christian Pulisic is one, of course. The other is Antonee Robinson. There's just no left-back playing anywhere near his level for club or country. It's why he's been leaned on so heavily throughout the last few years: he plays at a different speed than everyone else.
Robinson is out with an injury, which leaves the USMNT without one of its most important pieces – and arguably the one this group is least-equipped to replace. The U.S. can't just jam another player into that left-back spot as a like-for-like swap. None provide the same combination of speed, energy, crossing ability and defensive chops of Robinson. He's the type of player whose absence forces a coach to change systems, and that might end up being what Pochettino has to do.
The U.S. could move Joe Scally to that side or put faith in Marlon Fossey. They could shift Weah or Musah to fullback. They could get creative with some other options, too. None will be anywhere as good as having Robinson in camp, and his absence is a massive blow as they head into these two games.
GettyCaptain Adams reshapes midfield dynamic
There's no doubt about it: a midfield looks different with Tyler Adams in it. Look to Bournemouth as a prime example. Since Adams' return, the Cherries have improved immensely, with the USMNT midfielder being recognized for his impact with the club's Player of the Month award in February.
It's been too long since he's had that type of impact for the USMNT. We've had glimpses, most notably his stunning goal against Mexico in this competition last year. Adams, though, hasn't really been 100 percent ready for a USMNT match since the 2022 World Cup.
A regime shift happened and Adams has missed out due to injuries. So for the first time, we'll get a look at what Pochettino can do with Adams.
"Good to be back in camp for the first time," Adams said this week. "Obviously, new manager – and I have had a bunch of different managers in my career – but to work with another great one like Mauricio is a huge honor. I'm excited to understand the processes and his thinking and the way that he looks at the game. But, obviously, having competed with some of the teams he's managed himself, I know the style of play that he plays. It's exciting."
Pochettino is getting the best version of Adams, too, which is something the U.S. has sorely lacked throughout this cycle. It's all coming together at the right time and, as long as Adams can stay fit, Pochettino can start to shape his midfield ahead of next summer's World Cup.
Adams, in more ways than one, is the base and foundation of that midfield. His return allows Pochettino to build – and that begins now.
"Before we know it, we're going to blink and the World Cup will be here," Adams said, "so we want to treat every training session and every game with significance and continue to build."
Getty Images SportThe Reyna situation
Gio Reyna's situation at Borussia Dortmund has been discussed ad nausum. He hasn't played much. When he has, he's looked like a player who is clearly lacking the confidence and form that come with consistent minutes. That's Dortmund, though, and this is the USMNT. Will things be different this week?
Reyna is part of a crowded group of No. 10s, which is one of the key reasons Brenden Aaronson was left out of the squad. Reyna is joined by Diego Luna and Weston McKennie as candidates to play in that position, while Christian Pulisic could also conceivably feature as some sort of No. 10 in certain systems. That all points to one thing: Reyna's spot isn't guaranteed.
If he does see the field, the pressure will be on. Pochettino admitted that it was important to get Reyna into this camp largely because opportunities may be limited going forward. The Club World Cup with Dortmund could keep him out of the summer Gold Cup squad, which means this may be the last real chance for Reyna to play for the U.S. until fall friendlies.
Of course, much can change between now and then, particularly with Reyna, who remains the USMNT's biggest wildcard.