The US Males’s Nationwide Crew faces a vital take a look at this summer season within the Concacaf Gold Cup. It is North America’s biennial worldwide event that can function the USMNT’s final aggressive preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which shall be performed within the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The USMNT has a checkered historical past within the Gold Cup, profitable the title seven occasions (most just lately in 2021) however failing to achieve the ultimate in 2023 after falling to Panama within the semifinals. (Sound familiar?)
With the World Cup somewhat greater than a 12 months away (June 11-July 19, 2026), the Gold Cup stands as the largest and greatest remaining take a look at of the USMNT’s event readiness. If it does nicely, the USMNT will enter the World Cup on a optimistic trajectory. If the People wrestle, they’ll crash into the event in a state of chaos.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino just lately talked with U. S. Soccer about how he is getting ready for Gold Cup. Listed here are the 4 largest takeaways from the dialogue:
He is not underestimating his group
The USMNT will face Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti within the group stage of the Gold Cup. Solely two of these groups will transfer on to the knockout stage — and whereas the USMNT is extensively anticipated to be considered one of them, Pochettino is not taking something as a right.
“It’s necessary that we respect all of our opponents within the competitors,” he said. “The Gold Cup is traditionally at all times a troublesome competitors.”
That is an excellent mindset to have. Trinidad and Tobago eradicated the USMNT from World Cup competition in 2017, Saudi Arabia beat eventual champion Argentina within the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and Haiti is unbeaten in its final 10 fixtures. They’re all able to delivering upsets and surprises.
