With a resounding Gold Cup-opening victory in their back pocket, the USMNT have reason to smile – but not for too long
AUSTIN, Texas – In the midst of a generally miserable four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the U.S. men's national team generally kept to the message of not letting the lows get too low. Yes, the losses were piling up. No, it wasn't impacting the team's approach.
More games were coming, ones that counted. Those were more important the controversy and negativity swirling around the team, bad vibes that prompted the likes of former ESPN FC analyst Herculez Gomez to opine, "I don't know if any fan right now can enjoy anything about the USMNT."
That message goes the opposite direction, too.
Fresh off a 5-0 beatdown of Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup opener, Mauricio Pochettinio's USMNT isn't letting those good feelings hijack their mindset, either, especially knowing that the next test will be significantly more difficult.
Up next is Saudi Arabia, a team that should be far more competitive than the Soca Warriors, and one that will present challenges for the U.S. when they meet Thursday at 9:15 p.m. ET in Austin, Texas.
"What is really good from the team is that we kept going," midfielder Brenden Aaronson said of the USMNT refusing to pump the brakes against Trinidad and Tobago, even after building a 3-0 first-half lead. "We kept trying to attack them, kept trying to score goals, kept defending. I thought we were really good on the day. And now we transition that to Saudi Arabia, taking positives from the last game and learning some things."
In terms of the Gold Cup, there's plenty at stake. The winner will almost certainly top the group, getting all of the benefits that come with that finish. For both sides, this is also test against a World Cup-level opponent, one similar to many they could see next summer. For individuals, the game is another chance for each player to show value to Pochettino – less than one year out from the World Cup, those chances are dwindling quickly.
"It's something like a qualification period and, although we don't have a qualification period, this is qualification for us," defender Mark McKenzie said. "We need to take this as the next test. As we go towards next year, each and every opponent we face will be like a qualifier, an opponent that's looking to make sure they have a chance to play at the World Cup."
GOAL looks at five keys for the U.S. against Saudi Arabia.
Getty ImagesMidfield returns
The USMNT was missing three rostered players against Trinidad and Tobago. Tyler Adams was nursing a foot injury, and Johnny Cardoso and Damion Downs both had illnesses. All three were back in training ahead of the Saudi Arabia match, an important development for the USMNT.
There really is no overstating Adams' importance in midfield. He is far and away this team's best player and, in many ways, also its emotional leader. There was a reason he was captain at the 2022 World Cup. Adams leads from the front or, more aptly, from his place in the heart of midfield.
"Obviously, he's really important," midfielder Luca de la Torre said. "His defensive output really is special. The way that he can win duels and pick up second balls, it really helps the team win."
Cardoso's return is important, as well. Yes, he made a major mistake in a pre-Gold Cup loss to Turkey, but this is another chance for him to prove himself to a coach and a fanbase that surely expect more. Cardoso is one of the USMNT players with the most to gain, but he's also one with the most to lose.
Downs could be an option, but the potential midfield returns are the ones Pochettino will be particularly thrilled with. He has two midfield stars fit again. It remains to be either will start, but they're trending in the right direction.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe danger of Saudi Arabia
Just two-and-a-half years ago, Saudi Arabia pulled off an all-time upset. On that day, they beat Argentina in their World Cup opener, putting Lionel Messi and Co. on the brink. We all know what happened next. Argentina's run was spurred by that moment.
Saudi Arabia didn't build on that win, dropping their next two group stage games to seal an early exit at that 2022 tournament. They aren't looking great for 2026, either, facing a real fight just to qualify heading into a three-team round robin. Still, this team is more dangerous than the one that the USMNT just faced. Saudi Arabia, an invited team for this Gold Cup, have experience and talent that will keep the USMNT on edge.
"They have been a pretty ambitious side over the last few years," said USMNT defender Chris Richards. "They had a good World Cup showing in 2022, so we expect a good team… We want to make them conform to us. We expect to get a competitive game, maybe a little bit more competitive game than the Trinidad game. So we'll have to put in a good performance."
The USMNT were good against T&T. They'll have to be better against Saudi Arabia, which topped Haiti, 1-0, in their Gold Cup own opener. The winner of Thursday's game will be in pole position heading into the finale, allowing them to rotate a bit, which could be key in the weeks to come.
Getty Images SportKeeping the creativity rolling
The U.S. has multiple attacking midfield stars in incredible form at the moment. Now, the task is keeping them rolling. Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn and Malik Tillman all contributed to goals against Trinidad and Tobago, and all three are making legitimate cases to be on the World Cup roster.
McGlynn teed up Tillman on the opening goal last weekend, while Luna set up the PSV star with a tap-in to make it 2-0. Luna nearly got one of his own shortly after, but was only credited with an assist after his shot banked of Patrick Agyemang for the goal.
After the game, both Luna and Tillman said that the group was having fun, largely due to the attack's ability to combine with each another. With Agyemang providing the hold up play, the others are free to cut inside, combine and create, which leads to an exciting atmosphere when they can find space.
"It's been great so far," says McGlynn, who has major ambitions for 2026. "I think we had a lot of chemistry last game. We were always combining and we've been developing that through training. It's been fun to be out there. They're two amazing players and, playing off Pat up there as well, it's been great."
Getty Images SportAnother shot for Agyemang
It doesn't matter how you score goals, just that you score them. Agyemang has been scoring in bunches, but it's true that he could have a few more if things had taken different bounces.
Against T&T, Agyemang got his goal. He didn't know much about it, but he got it. Consider it the soccer gods rewarding him for the chances that had come prior, the ones that hadn't gone his way. By the end of his 73 minutes, Agyemang had amassed five shots. Aside from his goal, just one other was on target. Two of the misses were defined as big chances and, against better opponents, strikers don't tend to get so many looks.
It's easy to see what Agyemang brings to the table. His four goals in seven appearance for the USMNT speak for themselves. So, too, does the danger he brings with his ability to out-muscle and out-hustle defenders. Agyemang will get his chance to score more, and do more. And, if that does come against a decent opponent such as Saudi Arabia, he will likely have to be just a little bit more clinical.
"The message has been to stick to it," Agyemang said on FOX. "We wanted to start this tournament off well and we ultimately were able to do that, so now it's about us focusing on what we can control and focusing on what we're good at. If we stay relaxed, stay composed and do what we know we can do, we can get the results as well."
Whether it's Agyemang, Brian White, Downs or Haji Wright up top, that message rings true.