INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mauricio Pochettino drew on a well-known American phrase following the United States’ successive disappointing matches in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Pochettino remarked, “If a year from now we are still in this situation, I would say, ‘Houston, we have a problem, no? SOS,’” after the U.S.’s 2-1 defeat to Canada in the third-place matchup on Sunday. This result came on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Panama, marking a worrying trend for the team.
Historically, the U.S. hadn’t lost a competitive game against Canada on home turf since 1957, and back-to-back defeats to their northern neighbors hadn’t occurred since the mid-1980s. Despite these setbacks, Pochettino maintained a hopeful demeanor and emphasized the need for improvement while expressing neither contentment nor despair.
“It involves changing processes, and though I’m not happy with the results — don’t misunderstand me — this is the time to learn,” Pochettino explained. “Better now than later, as we still have time to adjust.”
The matches took place at SoFi Stadium, the very venue where the U.S. is slated to begin its World Cup campaign on June 12, 2026.
“We couldn’t adapt our strategy effectively, but I’m glad this happened now rather than closer to the World Cup,” noted Pochettino. “We still have time.”
Since taking over last fall, Pochettino, with a background of managing teams like Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, has led the U.S. to five wins and three losses. However, noticeable improvements have been elusive, yet he views his tenure as crucial for addressing the issues at hand.
“I’m always optimistic,” Pochettino said. “Even in disappointment, I look for positives. The Nations League outcomes shouldn’t impact our World Cup preparation negatively. It might actually be beneficial.”
The U.S. team showed lackluster performances, being outplayed by Panama and slightly improving against Canada with a fleeting moment of offensive promise. Tim Weah and Diego Luna collaborated to set up a goal by Patrick Agyemang, marking his third goal in four appearances. Yet, tactical inconsistencies prevailed.
Defensively, the U.S. struggled, particularly missing key players due to injuries. Consequently, they couldn’t prevent Canada’s Jonathan David from sealing the victory.
Christian Pulisic, the captain from AC Milan, saw limited impact, subbing out in the 69th minute against Canada.
“Now, we need to be exemplary at our clubs and return ready to elevate the national team,” Pulisic stated. “There’s a need for introspection, and while I don’t have every answer now, we’ll find what needs changing.”
Pochettino anticipates only a few more opportunities to train the team before the World Cup, including the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Even then, several players will miss out due to commitments with the concurrent FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite noticeable shortcomings, Pochettino remains confident in his players’ commitment to rectify their trajectory before the World Cup. Pulisic and other squad members have reiterated their dedication to addressing the diverse challenges within the upcoming year.
“Representing this team and country means everything to me,” emphasized Pulisic. “It’s an honor to lead, and I hope people recognize my dedication.”