The World Cup is this summer, and the USMNT is the host nation. Based on their current form, they’re not a threat to do much damage. After another horrible loss, the team has been outscored 7-2 in the first two games of the final international friendly window before the World Cup. They’re not terribly bothered, though.
Christian Pulisic not concerned about bad USMNT run
Christian Pulisic has not scored in eight contests for his country. It’s the longest drought of the most gifted American in soccer history’s career. He was in bad form, earning a 3/10 match rating and an early yellow card.
Still, the forward doesn’t think the USMNT is far away from competing. He believes the last two results being a little lopsided does not tell the full story. There’s time, and Pulisic feels that he and his teammates aren’t far from being at their best.
“I feel like we are a lot closer than people think. We put a lot of pressure on in the first half of both the games,” Pulisic said. “We were able to create chances, which if I finish chances, which I know I’m going to, then things are going to be a bit different. There was just a couple moments where there was a lack of concentration, and we’re giving up goals, but I feel like we are right in the game.”
He doesn’t think there’s anything going on with him aside from just a failure to execute. “Physically, I feel really good, feel really sharp, and I’m doing a lot of good things. I have to help my team to create assists, score goals, and create chances. Obviously, when I don’t do that, it’s frustrating, but I feel like I’m close and I feel good things are coming,” the AC Milan star added.
Mauricio Pochettino agrees
The 2-0 loss to Portugal was the final game of this window, though the USMNT will have two more games before the tournament. They’ll face Senegal in May and Germany in June before the World Cup that same month.
Mauricio Pochettino was brought in to replace Gregg Berhalter and to take this country to new heights in the World Cup. So far, nothing suggests they’re going to do better than their run to the Knockout Stage in 2022. Pochettino disagrees.
“I think this camp is very positive,” he said. “I think it was the end of our cycle … for preparation for the World Cup… This is the end because the next roster is going to be the roster that is going to be involved. I think it’s too many things that we need to assess and to see in the next few weeks.
“Yes, I am more positive now than before because seeing the team compete, we are not far away. It’s only details that we need to prove,” he added. He also believes there are a few small moments in the matches that get away from his team, leading to the losses.
Roster decisions to come
The USMNT will not play again before determining the final roster for the World Cup. The last two friendlies are after the May 26 deadline, so this was it. Players like Christian Pulisic aren’t in danger despite bad form, but others will have their fates decided.
“I think now they know that it’s going to be a competition,” Mauricio Pochettino said about the upcoming decision. “They know that we are going to see every single week, every single game, and we are going to assess one year and a half or more, and we are going to make the decision.”
“I think who would be there is going to be happy, not on the roster is going to be sad, but I think we don’t need to talk too much,” he added. The coach also said it’s good for his team to get beaten badly in contests because it’s the only way they can grow and learn. Hopefully, they do grow and learn before hosting the World Cup this summer.
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