Mauricio Pochettino delivers harsh truth about USMNT’s issues amid rising criticism of the ex-Premier League coach and Christian Pulisic

The USMNT‘s hopes of winning a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a crashing halt after a shocking 1-0 loss to Panama. The defeat was more than just an early tournament exit—it was a reminder of the questions surrounding this so-called ‘golden generation’ as the 2026 World Cup looms on the horizon.

With just more than a year to prepare for the biggest tournament in USMNT history, the performance against Panama raised significant concerns about whether this team is truly ready to compete at the highest level. The match was marked by poor tactical decisions, a lack of attacking creativity, and frustration among fans, but after the final whistle, the debate turned into a blame game.

Some pointed fingers at head coach Mauricio Pochettino, accusing him of poor tactical choices and questionable substitutions. Others singled out star player Christian Pulisic, arguing that he failed to carry the team in a moment of need. The broader conversation focused on a perceived lack of passion, urgency, and grit, elements that the USMNT will need to develop if they are to truly compete with the world’s best.

Antonee Robinson’s injury before the semi-final forced Pochettino to make unexpected changes, including shifting Joe Scally to left-back and placing Yunus Musah at right-back. Tyler Adams made his first appearance under the new manager in a deeper midfield role, limiting his impact. Instead of a creative midfielder like Gio Reyna or Diego Luna, the Argentine boss kept Christian Pulisic in a central role, which left the US lacking width and made it easier for Panama to defend.

Despite dominating possession, the Americans struggled to break down the away team’s defense. In the dying moments, Cecilio Waterman scored a stoppage-time goal, beating Matt Turner at his far post to seal the shock. The goal shocked SoFi Stadium, leaving the home fans stunned and handing the visitors another victory following their Copa America elimination.

What did Mauricio Pochettino say after the game?

After the final whistle, Pochettino did not hold back in his post-match remarks, delivering a blunt assessment of the team’s performance. “The way we approached the game and started the game wasn’t in the right way,” he admitted. “The first half was really painful to see.”

His words echoed what many Yanks‘ fans and analysts had observed—a lack of intensity, urgency, and attacking identity. Even the players acknowledged their struggles, with Christian Pulisic speaking openly about the team’s inability to break Panama down.

“We obviously had the ball most of the game, but we just couldn’t create enough,” the Milan ace told The Athletic. “We weren’t dangerous enough. And yeah, you know, they got one shot at the end, and that was the story.”

The defeat and Pochettino’s criticism stood in sharp contrast to his recently expressed confidence in the USMNT’s future. Earlier in the week, the Argentine coach had spoken boldly about the team’s potential, saying the US could ‘dominate soccer’ and even become the “number one team in the world” within the next 10 to 15 years.