INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The evening began with 60,000 vacant seats and ended with a lapse that epitomized the USMNT’s sleepiness.
It was supposed to jumpstart World Cup preparations; instead, it was lifeless and “painful.”
It began with hope, that these CONCACAF Nations League finals would energize a distracted soccer nation; and serve as a crucial step for its national team under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. But U.S. fans hardly showed up to SoFi Stadium, and U.S. players fell 1-0 to Panama.
It was “frustrating,” defender Chris Richards said of the match.
“Disappointing, of course,” in the words of star attacker Christian Pulisic.
Former star Clint Dempsey, now a pundit, had another word: “This is embarrassing.”
There was “no urgency,” goalkeeper Matt Turner pointed out. Pochettino agreed, and in fact, he noted, Panama’s dramatic 94th-minute goal was “a clear example.” Pulisic played a sloppy headed pass. Midfielders lost 50-50s. Defenders recovered slowly.
“Organization? Good. Superiority? Yes — 4-v-2 in the middle of the pitch,” Pochettino said postgame. “But we lose the ball. We were not aggressive in the duels. We lose the duel, and then we concede.”
He bemoaned a lack of “aggression.” A lack of intensity, perhaps hunger. “We didn’t compete in the way that the game required,” Pochettino said, and the one thing everybody wondered was: Why?
Why, at the start of a year before a World Cup year, was there “no urgency”?
Why, with six training camps to go until a once-in-a-generation opportunity to “change soccer in America forever,” and with a regional trophy at stake, and with World Cup roster spots up for grabs, did they look so disinterested, cautious and uninspired?
Although none would say it, surely the dull, hollow atmosphere had something to do with it. These are players who perform every week in front of 60,000 maniacs in Milan and Mönchengladbach, at the cauldrons of Crystal Palace and Juventus, in front of fans who care about their clubs. On Thursday, they walked onto the field where they’ll open their World Cup next summer, and looked around, and saw … one solitary, not-quite full section of diehard U.S. fans. A few thousand spectators were scattered throughout the gleaming, futuristic arena; they were hardly making any noise.
The surrounding seats were empty because, well, it was 4 p.m. on a Thursday. Players pointed that out; none blamed the fans who didn’t show.
But they were also empty because the American public is not, at least for now, enthused by this USMNT.
The redundancy of the CONCACAF games against familiar opponents was evident, but with more exciting matches on the horizon. However, the teams that played on Thursday night displayed the necessary fire and determination. The Panamanians, led by goalscorer Cecilio Waterman, fought to bring joy to their country. Mexico showcased their usual intensity, while Canada, despite a 2-0 loss, matched El Tri’s energy with a bigger picture in mind, referencing the threats their country faces.
In contrast, the U.S. players seemed to lack passion and purpose in their game. This lack of aggression and grit was concerning, especially since Coach Pochettino had been emphasizing these qualities since taking over the team. The first single elimination game under Pochettino was a missed opportunity for the U.S. team to demonstrate their mentality and rebuild their identity.
Pochettino stressed the importance of aggression in the game, highlighting that playing safe and without taking risks would not lead to success. He emphasized the need for the players to show determination, work hard, and win duels to achieve victory. Simply relying on the reputation of their clubs or the USA jersey would not be enough to secure wins.
Overall, the U.S. team’s lackluster performance highlighted the need for a shift in mentality and a renewed focus on passion and determination on the field. This game served as a wake-up call for the team to reevaluate their approach and strive for a more aggressive and competitive mindset in future matches.