NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the World Cup a year away, there’s a small silver lining for the U.S. soccer team after enduring a rough spell. The team’s performance during a friendly against Switzerland resulted in a 4-0 defeat on Tuesday night, with the Americans failing to register a single shot on target. This blowout loss was exacerbated by conceding four goals within the first half.
Defender Walker Zimmerman acknowledged the disappointment but pointed out that there’s still time to regroup before the World Cup. Recalling past performances, he noted that drastic changes can occur within months, referring to the U.S.’s 3-0 win over Morocco half a year before they reached the World Cup semifinals.
Ahead of their CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago this Sunday, the U.S. grapples with a four-game losing streak, something they haven’t faced since 2007. This includes four consecutive home game defeats, a rarity last witnessed in 1988.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted his role in the loss, citing his choice of a starting lineup featuring players mostly inexperienced on the international stage. By the 40th minute, the team had already allowed four goals, a setback not seen since a 1980 game against Mexico.
The team’s performance has not gone unnoticed by the fans, who are already frustrated from last year’s early Copa America exit and recent losses in March’s CONCACAF Nations League finals. There are questions around players’ commitment as key figures like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and others missed the game due to varying reasons, ranging from personal breaks to injuries.
Switzerland capitalized on these absences, with Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo, and Johan Manzambi finding the net within the first 36 minutes. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, having his first appearance since March, mishandled a shot that led to one of these goals. Defenders afforded the Swiss team too much space, compounding the defensive woes.
Tim Ream, who entered in the second half, focused on addressing these errors and stressed the need for swift corrections before their next match. “There are individual mistakes that cost us dearly,” Ream remarked, highlighting the challenges at this high level.
The U.S. team appears to have stalled in progress after their 2022 World Cup’s second round, currently holding a 5-5 record under Pochettino, who succeeded following the firing of Gregg Berhalter due to the Copa America disappointment.
The Americans aim to bounce back as they face Saudi Arabia and Haiti next in the Gold Cup’s first round. Historically, they have dominated their group in 16 out of 17 Gold Cups. Winning the tournament might be the only way to assuage irate supporters.
Zimmerman remains optimistic, “Every game is a learning opportunity. We’ve all had ups and downs in our careers. It’s about recovery, both physically and mentally.” He emphasized the importance of mental resilience ahead of future matches.
Pochettino, unfazed by the recent setbacks, reassured that fan support wouldn’t waver, neither for the Gold Cup nor the upcoming World Cup. “The fans’ allegiance is unwavering, and I am confident they will back us up,” he stated.