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Fox Sports
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
On first 4-game losing streak since 2007, US looks unprepared with World Cup a year away
Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The only bright side for the U.S. soccer team is the World Cup starts in a year, not this week. The Americans conceded four goals in the first half, failed to get a shot on target and were embarrassed in a 4-0 blowout loss to Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday night. 'It's really easy to look at one game, one half, and be like, oh, this is all going to pieces, they can't come back from this,' defender Walker Zimmerman said. 'But you look even the build-up to the 2022 (World Cup), we take down Morocco 3-0 and they make it into the semifinal. Things change — that was six months apart. It's not the end of the world.' Heading into their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the Americans are on a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2007 and have dropped four consecutive home games for just the third time overall and first time since 1988. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed himself for picking a starting lineup that included four players with two or fewer international appearances. He wanted them to gain international experience but the Americans gave up four goals by the 40th minute for the first time since Nov. 9, 1980, at Mexico and the first time ever at home, according to Opta. 'It was my decision and the decision didn't work,' he said. 'It's painful because you don't want to improve losing games." A dismayed fan base, angered by first-round elimination at last year's Copa America and two losses in the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March, is questioning the commitment of the team's player pool. The U.S. was missing star Christian Pulisic (wanted time off); Yunus Musah (personal reason not disclosed); Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna (headed to the Club World Cup); Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun (injured); and Sergiño Dest (regaining fitness). Dan Ndoye scored in the 13th minute, Michel Aebischer in the 23rd, Breel Embolo in the 33rd and Johan Manzambi in the 36th. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, playing his first match for club or country since March 23, spilled a shot that led to Embolo's goal. Defenders left the Swiss lots of space. 'You have to take your licks and understand where things went wrong and try to put them right in the next five days,' said defender Tim Ream, among five players who entered at the start of the second half. 'There's some individual errors that we make and we get punished for them at this level.' Instead of a steady improvement, the U.S. has regressed since reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup. The Americans are 5-5 under Pochettino, who took over after the Copa America flop led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. The U.S. also plays Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the Gold Cup's first round — the Americans have won their group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, along with a second-place finish to Panama in 2011. They're group stage record is 40 wins, one loss and five draws. Only winning the tournament likely will calm supporters. 'I know in this sport you're not judged on one game, one half, but you've got to be able to bounce back mentally, physically, emotionally,' Zimmerman said. 'We've played hundreds of games in our career. Some are going to be amazing. Some aren't going to be so good.' Pochettino isn't concerned fans will give up on the U.S. team and stay away from matches. 'The fans are going to be there for sure in the Gold Cup and the World Cup," he said. 'I have no worries about that. The fans are going to be with the team." ___ AP soccer: recommended
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
US men's soccer team hears boos after ugly loss to Switzerland
It was an American horror story of epic proportions for the U.S. Men's National Team on Tuesday night in their Gold Cup send-off match, as the club was booed off the field in Nashville, Tenn., during their 4-0 loss to Switzerland. The Americans didn't field their best lineup, but the ugly showing right before a major international tournament had U.S. soccer fans upset as the club walked off the field at halftime down by four goals and then again when the final whistle blew at the end of the match. The displeasure was audible on the TNT broadcast of the friendly match, and by the end, with large swaths of the 30,000-seat capacity Geodis Park visibly empty, it was apparent how upset U.S. soccer fans were. The loss was the fourth straight for the USMNT and put them on their longest losing streak since 2007. And to make matters worse, the four goals conceded in the first half were the most they've given up in more than 40 years. Switzerland's captain Granit Xhaka (10) brings the ball up field during his team's 4-0 blowout win over the U.S. men's soccer national team on June 10, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'The first half was not good enough by any of our standards,' center back Walker Zimmerman told TNT Sports following the match. 'That's the disappointing thing, is we talked a lot about how we could compete, how we can believe in each other, how we can keep pushing. Take pride and we just fell short on all those aspects in the first half.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but at the same time, we know that we have a tournament ahead of us where these games are going to be coming quick and fast and our only option is to build on those.' The loss was another knock against the American squad that is facing plenty of challenges going into the Gold Cup tournament, and is a year away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in North America. The USMNT has gone 5-5 since new head coach Mauricio Pochettino took over in September of last year, and he'll face plenty of questions if the United States doesn't come together during the Gold Cup.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
On first 4-game losing streak since 2007, US looks unprepared with World Cup a year away
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks onto the field during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States defender John Tolkin (2) and goalkeeper Matt Turner (1) applaud the fans after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States defender Sebastian Berhalter (8) looks to the bleachers after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States forward Damion Downs (9) and defender Walker Zimmerman, right, look to the fans after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States forward Damion Downs (9) and defender Walker Zimmerman, right, look to the fans after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks onto the field during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States defender John Tolkin (2) and goalkeeper Matt Turner (1) applaud the fans after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States defender Sebastian Berhalter (8) looks to the bleachers after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) United States forward Damion Downs (9) and defender Walker Zimmerman, right, look to the fans after the team's loss in an international friendly soccer match against the Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The only bright side for the U.S. soccer team is the World Cup starts in a year, not this week. The Americans conceded four goals in the first half, failed to get a shot on target and were embarrassed in a 4-0 blowout loss to Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday night. Advertisement 'It's really easy to look at one game, one half, and be like, oh, this is all going to pieces, they can't come back from this,' defender Walker Zimmerman said. 'But you look even the build-up to the 2022 (World Cup), we take down Morocco 3-0 and they make it into the semifinal. Things change — that was six months apart. It's not the end of the world.' Heading into their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the Americans are on a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2007 and have dropped four consecutive home games for just the third time overall and first time since 1988. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed himself for picking a starting lineup that included four players with two or fewer international appearances. He wanted them to gain international experience but the Americans gave up four goals by the 40th minute for the first time since Nov. 9, 1980, at Mexico and the first time ever at home, according to Opta. 'It was my decision and the decision didn't work,' he said. 'It's painful because you don't want to improve losing games." Advertisement A dismayed fan base, angered by first-round elimination at last year's Copa America and two losses in the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March, is questioning the commitment of the team's player pool. The U.S. was missing star Christian Pulisic (wanted time off); Yunus Musah (personal reason not disclosed); Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna (headed to the Club World Cup); Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun (injured); and Sergiño Dest (regaining fitness). Dan Ndoye scored in the 13th minute, Michel Aebischer in the 23rd, Breel Embolo in the 33rd and Johan Manzambi in the 36th. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, playing his first match for club or country since March 23, spilled a shot that led to Embolo's goal. Defenders left the Swiss lots of space. 'You have to take your licks and understand where things went wrong and try to put them right in the next five days,' said defender Tim Ream, among five players who entered at the start of the second half. 'There's some individual errors that we make and we get punished for them at this level.' Advertisement Instead of a steady improvement, the U.S. has regressed since reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup. The Americans are 5-5 under Pochettino, who took over after the Copa America flop led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. The U.S. also plays Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the Gold Cup's first round — the Americans have won their group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, along with a second-place finish to Panama in 2011. They're group stage record is 40 wins, one loss and five draws. Only winning the tournament likely will calm supporters. 'I know in this sport you're not judged on one game, one half, but you've got to be able to bounce back mentally, physically, emotionally,' Zimmerman said. 'We've played hundreds of games in our career. Some are going to be amazing. Some aren't going to be so good.' Advertisement Pochettino isn't concerned fans will give up on the U.S. team and stay away from matches. 'The fans are going to be there for sure in the Gold Cup and the World Cup," he said. 'I have no worries about that. The fans are going to be with the team." ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
On first 4-game losing streak since 2007, US looks unprepared with World Cup a year away
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The only bright side for the U.S. soccer team is the World Cup starts in a year, not this week. The Americans conceded four goals in the first half, failed to get a shot on target and were embarrassed in a 4-0 blowout loss to Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday night. 'It's really easy to look at one game, one half, and be like, oh, this is all going to pieces, they can't come back from this,' defender Walker Zimmerman said. 'But you look even the build-up to the 2022 (World Cup), we take down Morocco 3-0 and they make it into the semifinal. Things change — that was six months apart. It's not the end of the world.' Heading into their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the Americans are on a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2007 and have dropped four consecutive home games for just the third time overall and first time since 1988. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed himself for picking a starting lineup that included four players with two or fewer international appearances. He wanted them to gain international experience but the Americans gave up four goals by the 40th minute for the first time since Nov. 9, 1980, at Mexico and the first time ever at home, according to Opta. 'It was my decision and the decision didn't work,' he said. 'It's painful because you don't want to improve losing games.' A dismayed fan base, angered by first-round elimination at last year's Copa America and two losses in the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March, is questioning the commitment of the team's player pool. The U.S. was missing star Christian Pulisic (wanted time off); Yunus Musah (personal reason not disclosed); Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna (headed to the Club World Cup); Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun (injured); and Sergiño Dest (regaining fitness). Dan Ndoye scored in the 13th minute, Michel Aebischer in the 23rd, Breel Embolo in the 33rd and Johan Manzambi in the 36th. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, playing his first match for club or country since March 23, spilled a shot that led to Embolo's goal. Defenders left the Swiss lots of space. 'You have to take your licks and understand where things went wrong and try to put them right in the next five days,' said defender Tim Ream, among five players who entered at the start of the second half. 'There's some individual errors that we make and we get punished for them at this level.' Instead of a steady improvement, the U.S. has regressed since reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup. The Americans are 5-5 under Pochettino, who took over after the Copa America flop led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. The U.S. also plays Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the Gold Cup's first round — the Americans have won their group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, along with a second-place finish to Panama in 2011. They're group stage record is 40 wins, one loss and five draws. Only winning the tournament likely will calm supporters. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I know in this sport you're not judged on one game, one half, but you've got to be able to bounce back mentally, physically, emotionally,' Zimmerman said. 'We've played hundreds of games in our career. Some are going to be amazing. Some aren't going to be so good.' Pochettino isn't concerned fans will give up on the U.S. team and stay away from matches. 'The fans are going to be there for sure in the Gold Cup and the World Cup,' he said. 'I have no worries about that. The fans are going to be with the team.' ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
On first 4-game losing streak since 2007, US looks unprepared with World Cup a year away
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The only bright side for the U.S. soccer team is the World Cup starts in a year, not this week. The Americans conceded four goals in the first half, failed to get a shot on target and were embarrassed in a 4-0 blowout loss to Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday night. 'It's really easy to look at one game, one half, and be like, oh, this is all going to pieces, they can't come back from this,' defender Walker Zimmerman said. 'But you look even the build-up to the 2022 (World Cup), we take down Morocco 3-0 and they make it into the semifinal. Things change — that was six months apart. It's not the end of the world.' Heading into their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the Americans are on a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2007 and have dropped four consecutive home games for just the third time overall and first time since 1988. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed himself for picking a starting lineup that included four players with two or fewer international appearances. He wanted them to gain international experience but the Americans gave up four goals by the 40th minute for the first time since Nov. 9, 1980, at Mexico and the first time ever at home, according to Opta. 'It was my decision and the decision didn't work,' he said. 'It's painful because you don't want to improve losing games.' A dismayed fan base, angered by first-round elimination at last year's Copa America and two losses in the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March, is questioning the commitment of the team's player pool. The U.S. was missing star Christian Pulisic (wanted time off); Yunus Musah (personal reason not disclosed); Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna (headed to the Club World Cup); Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun (injured); and Sergiño Dest (regaining fitness). Dan Ndoye scored in the 13th minute, Michel Aebischer in the 23rd, Breel Embolo in the 33rd and Johan Manzambi in the 36th. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, playing his first match for club or country since March 23, spilled a shot that led to Embolo's goal. Defenders left the Swiss lots of space. 'You have to take your licks and understand where things went wrong and try to put them right in the next five days,' said defender Tim Ream, among five players who entered at the start of the second half. 'There's some individual errors that we make and we get punished for them at this level.' Instead of a steady improvement, the U.S. has regressed since reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup. The Americans are 5-5 under Pochettino, who took over after the Copa America flop led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. The U.S. also plays Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the Gold Cup's first round — the Americans have won their group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, along with a second-place finish to Panama in 2011. They're group stage record is 40 wins, one loss and five draws. Only winning the tournament likely will calm supporters. 'I know in this sport you're not judged on one game, one half, but you've got to be able to bounce back mentally, physically, emotionally,' Zimmerman said. 'We've played hundreds of games in our career. Some are going to be amazing. Some aren't going to be so good.' Pochettino isn't concerned fans will give up on the U.S. team and stay away from matches. 'The fans are going to be there for sure in the Gold Cup and the World Cup,' he said. 'I have no worries about that. The fans are going to be with the team.' ___ AP soccer:
