ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the teachings for the USMNT from its first two Gold Cup video games and the way that can issue into the upcoming video games on the event.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
June 21, 2025
7:00 PM
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THE UNITED STATES MEN’S nationwide staff is now in Arlington the place they’ll face Haiti on Sunday to conclude group play on the 2025 Gold Cup. Mauricio Pochettino’s staff is already by to the knockouts however can seal up first place with a win, draw, and even probably a slender loss. Such speak about outcomes and placement is secondary. The actual goal is simply to play higher.
The U.S. staff received its first two video games of the Gold Cup, which ought to have been anticipated. The performances have been up and down. The 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago was completely acceptable. The 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia was blended. The staff’s defensive effort was robust however the offense from the entrance three was missing.
After all, just a little little bit of perspective is required. In previous Gold Cups the place the USMNT received, not each perfomance was superb (and one-goal wins have been frequent). It is usually true that the hallmark of an excellent staff is to seek out methods to win regardless of not enjoying effectively.
However as a result of there are such a lot of questions surrounding this staff proper now, from the teaching employees to the veteran gamers, to the newcomers – the scrutiny has by no means been greater, and the hope is that the staff can flip every thing round and create optimism forward of the World Cup it’s going to cohost.
Sure, the primary two video games have given blended outcomes but in addition a number of clear observations – some optimistic, some adverse.
Listed below are my takeaways.
Richards rising as chief
Within the first two video games of this event, Chris Richards raised his stage at a time when his staff wanted somebody to step up. Mauricio Pochettino will certainly discover that. It wasn’t simply the aim within the 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia both, it was his defensive play within the first half the place he dove and blocked a really harmful shot.
Scorin’ & Soarin’ ???? pic.twitter.com/0KRzDbnNNU
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Workforce (@USMNT) June 20, 2025
One of many issues with the USMNT has had in recent times is gamers enjoying far worse for the nationwide staff than they do with their golf equipment. Richards has come into the summer time enjoying just like the FA Cup champion he’s. The USMNT central protection pecking order has been unclear for years and it nonetheless is. However the race is on to see who will pair with Richards.
Agyemang falling behind
Patrick Agyemang earned his alternative to be on this Gold Cup roster with accidents to some gamers and scoring targets in January and March. However issues haven’t gone his approach this month. He has had some good moments, sometimes together with his hold-up play and skill to run within the open subject – however his contact has let him down too typically and which may give a gap for Brian White or Damion Downs.
Agyemang ought to really feel strain to be extra harmful within the coming video games in any other case he may discover call-ups within the fall robust to return by.
Adams is irreplaceable
It has been an issue for the U.S. nationwide staff for a number of years, even earlier than the 2022 World Cup, however this staff can not come near its potential with out Tyler Adams. Pochettino has tried with different mixtures and on this camp, he left Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris out regardless of having used them in earlier camps.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2025
This month, he tried utilizing Johnny Cardoso instead of Adams and it was a multitude. In opposition to weaker groups, the U.S. staff can win with out Adams. However there doesn’t look like an answer proper now towards higher groups. This previous month has proven that.
Freese getting minutes
Matt Freese has been getting minutes this month in aim for the U.S. staff and it places him into competition to be components of the staff’s plans shifting ahead. Whereas he’s all the time been seen as a distant possibility, the chance he has now will not be one thing many noticed coming.
The one drawback is that his efficiency has been inconclusive. He hasn’t allowed any dangerous targets, however he additionally hasn’t made any large saves which have modified the course of video games. However it’s honest to say that he should be coaching effectively to be stepping into these video games.
Sooner or later, he shall be referred to as to make an enormous save and present that he can contend for a spot on the staff. However Freese getting these minutes is an enormous sign to Matt Turner that he should increase his sport. Whether or not its from Freese, Patrick Schulte, or Zack Steffen, Turner must really feel strain from somebody.
Freeman is uncooked, however attention-grabbing
As anticipated, Alex Freeman continues to play a lot of the staff’s minutes this month at proper again regardless of him being within the first season as a starter. The outcomes are as anticipated. He’s uncooked, he makes errors (considered one of which Chris Richards helped bail him out), however his upside/potential can be very seen.
His athleticism is exclusive. He isn’t simply somebody who can endlessly run up and down the sector, he additionally may be very helpful within the bodily aspect of the sport. He doesn’t get pushed off the ball and he wins his share of aerials and duels.
Taking Freeman to this event was all the time a long-term play. He doesn’t have the expertise to justify his place in must-win video games now. However in pondering subsequent 12 months and even subsequent cycle, the hope is that these video games will assist put together Freeman for the long run as a result of they see him being useful down the street.
He may change into an thrilling participant.
Berhalter’s function
Sebastian Berhalter has showcased himself effectively to begin the Gold Cup – though he wants to enhance in some areas if he needs to have a powerful case to be on the World Cup staff subsequent 12 months. For now, he’s at the least in consideration – which is greater than anybody anticipated of him as lately as the beginning of the 12 months.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2025
Berhalter, 24, is excellent on the ball and he passes effectively. He additionally is sweet free-kick taker. He performs arduous and he has been exhibiting plenty of the expertise that he has displayed this 12 months with Vancouver. Defensively and within the press, he should enhance. If he does, he may make the staff subsequent 12 months.
Playmaking inconsistent
The playmaking between the primary and second sport on the Gold Cup was day and night time. The staff created probabilities with ease towards Trinidad & Tobago however then have been fully off towards Saudi Arabia. It wasn’t till Berhalter swung in a free kick that was completed off by Richards that the U.S. staff moved forward. However even after that, the U.S. couldn’t create on the counterattack. That hole between these video games (and within the two friendlies) may be very large.
It is also honest to notice how the staff, underneath a really completely different lineup, couldn’t create a lot in March on the Nation’s League. Regardless, it’s nonetheless an issue. In opposition to Saudi Arabia, it wasn’t a case of dangerous ending however somewhat they simply struggled to create probabilities.
Too typically, gamers are good in a single sport after which battle the subsequent. That shall be one thing to observe within the video games forward as as to whether some form of consistency could be developed in creating scoring probabilities.
On anohter notice, the staff shall be with out Haji Wright for the remainder of the event.
TEAM NEWS: Haji Wright is coping with an Achilles concern that won’t be resolved in time for him to proceed competing within the event.
He’ll return to Coventry Metropolis for additional analysis and remedy. pic.twitter.com/TG6ddhEvwl
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Workforce (@USMNT) June 21, 2025
