Analysis— 5 min read
There has never been a moment in the history of American football quite like the one arriving at SoFi Stadium on June 12. The United States men's national team, on home soil, at a World Cup they co-host, will kick off against Paraguay under levels of expectation the programme has simply never experienced before.
Mauricio Pochettino has not shied away from the occasion. The Argentine coach has publicly said his team can win the tournament. His squad, led by Christian Pulisic, includes some of the most talented players in the history of the programme — Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest — and the group stage draw has been kind. Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D represent a winnable path to the round of 32.
Preparation has been mixed. A 3-2 win over Senegal showed genuine attacking ambition, with Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Pepi combining fluidly. But a 1-2 defeat to Germany at Soldier Field on Saturday exposed defensive vulnerabilities that a quality side will exploit. Pochettino has also been without centre-back Chris Richards since May 17, when the Crystal Palace defender injured his ankle — adding further uncertainty to a defensive unit still finding its best combination.
The tactical shift towards an attack-minded setup has drawn attention. Pochettino is increasingly using Sergino Dest as a winger rather than a wingback, with the added dynamism giving the USMNT more cutting edge in wider areas. Malik Tillman has emerged as one of the most creative players in the squad, creating the most chances of any American during the pre-tournament window.
The United States have not reached the quarter-finals since 2002. For Pochettino, for Pulisic, and for a football-watching public growing rapidly in a country that has never loved the game more, this summer is the moment that changes the story.