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Hello there! Mauricio Pochettino’s first international spell in charge of the US men’s national team has officially come to an end, providing plenty of food for thought as the group continues their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. I’m Pardeep Cattry with a USMNT-focused midweek update.
📺 Foot correction
Always US/East
Wednesday October 16
🇪🇺 UWCL: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Spain vs. USA, 4pm ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: NJ/NY Gotham vs. Tigres, 8 p.m. ➡️ Biggest+
Thursday October 17
🇪🇺 UWCL: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Kenya vs. England, 7pm ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: Monterrey vs. Alajuelense, 9pm ➡️ Biggest+
⚽ The forward line
🇺🇸 Mauricio Pochettino suffers first loss with USMNT
Getty Images
The US men’s national team’s seven-match unbeaten run against Mexico came to an end on Tuesday when they lost 2-0 in an uninspiring performance in Guadalajara that was a reminder of the challenges Pochettino faces.
The Argentinian made just two changes from the lineup that defeated Panama three days earlier, including a start for Malik Tillman after Christian Pulisic left camp to manage his minutes, but the match against Mexico went very differently to the victory of Saturday. The USMNT had the slight edge in possession on Tuesday, but were outshot 17-5 and placed just one shot on target as they posed little offensive threat. Although they didn’t start very well early on, Raul Jimenez’s goal in the 22nd minute to open the scoring seemed to suck all the energy out of the visitors.
The USMNT’s lifeless attack wasn’t helped by some slightly sloppy defending, with Pochettino starting Miles Robinson after Mark McKenzie picked up an injury in the warm-up. Mexico’s second goal exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the US backline – the game started with Tim Ream’s excellent recovery to dispossess Jimenez, but the USMNT captain immediately played the ball back to him, allowing the Mexican international Cesar Huerta was able to assist in the 49th minute. .
The performance turns Pochettino’s first international showcase into a fascinating double act that showcases both the USMNT’s potential and its current reality. While the win against Panama allowed the team to showcase Pochettino’s new attacking ideas, the loss to Mexico reignites discussion about the USMNT’s depth. In addition to Pulisic, four players – including Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi – were sent back to their clubs with minor injuries, while others such as Folarin Balogun and Timothy Weah missed the entire camp with their own injuries.
While substitutes Tanner Tessman, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas offered some positivity against Mexico, few players from the USMNT bubble showed up due to a lack of more established players. Tillman and Brenden Aaronson made little impact in attack, while Josh Sargent was handed two starts in Balogun’s absence but made just two shots in 130 minutes of play.
However, an adjustment period does not come as a surprise: the players are working with new staff and new methods, while Pochettino links this to his very first job as national coach. The only similarity between the two games is that the USMNT was not expected to look like the final product, and so these games will act as a foundation for the next twenty months of work rather than a final assessment of the project.
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🔗 Link play in midfield
🏆 Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals announced
The US men’s national team faces Jamaica in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League next month, which will be quite a tough test for Mauricio Pochettino in his first competitive matches as a new head coach.
The USMNT found themselves in the most competitive tie of the quarterfinals after Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, which left them in third place in the Concacaf rankings. Mexico, meanwhile, will face second-place Honduras and Canada will face Suriname, with Panama’s match against Costa Rica completing the schedule. The USA travel to Jamaica on November 14 for the first leg before welcoming the team to St. Louis’ CityPark on November 18, with a spot in the March semi-finals at SoFi Stadium on the line.
Pochettino’s side will be favored in this tie, but next month’s matches will serve as a crucial litmus test for the team’s progress in recent months. November’s quarter-final will be something of a repeat of last March’s semi-final, when the USMNT went down in the opening minute and needed an own goal in stoppage time to stage a comeback before the latest edition of the Nations League could be won. It was perhaps the first of several uninspiring performances that came to define the USMNT in 2024 before Pochettino was hired, so a reversal of course will be expected under the new manager. The quarter-finals may come too early in Pochettino’s tenure to serve as a defining example of the team’s new look under Argentina, meaning next month’s matches will come with layers of intrigue as the US makes its way to the World Cup 2026.
Sooner or later, however, the USMNT’s status as a regional heavyweight will be on the line. They are still the sole champions of the Concacaf Nations League, but their group stage exit at this year’s Copa America, coupled with Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, means the title of kings of Concacaf is up for grabs. Canada undoubtedly has its eyes on the Nations League title after new head coach Jesse Marsch led them impressively to the Copa America semi-finals, while Mexico’s win on Tuesday offers a fresh injection of optimism after a bleak 2024.
The high stakes for the USMNT reflect another challenge of Pochettino’s job. He has a relatively short window to improve the team in time for a statement at the 2026 World Cup, the first step of which would be for the US to reassert itself as the best in the region. Failure to win the Concacaf Nations League would not necessarily be a catastrophe for Pochettino’s USMNT, although it is imperative to prove that the US can handle regional tasks before they can embark on their ambitious mission to reach the top of the international game.
🔗 Top stories
���� Tuchel to England: England hired Thomas Tuchel to lead them to the 2026 World Cup, making him a very qualified rental That also highlights the country’s struggle to develop English managers.
🩹 Balogun injury: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun will reportedly be out for two months after dislocating his shoulder.
🗞️ Mbappe denial: Kylian Mbappe’s representatives denied after reports in Sweden claimed he was involved in a rape investigation in Stockholm.
🆕 Boston’s NWSL team is called: The NWSL’s Boston-based franchise will be called BOS Nation Football Club, unveiling the first part of their identity ahead of their inaugural season in 2026.
🔢 NWSL power rankings: The Portland Thorns and Utah Royals made big gains in the latest series of the NWSL Power Rankings as the playoffs continue.
🇫🇷 The Depth of France: France showed their potential without Mbappe and Antonie Griezmann in a 2-1 win over Belgium on Monday, making good progress with the 2026 World Cup now in their sights.
🇨🇴 James Rodriguez stars: With an assist in Colombia’s 4-0 win over Chile on Tuesday and thanks to winning the Copa America Golden Ball, is James Rodriguez the best player in South America right now?
❌ Fergie’s role removed: Manchester United minority owners INEOS will ax Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial role at the end of the season as part of a cost-cutting mission at the club.
🗣️ Destined for Xavi: The USMNT’s Sergino Dest said ex-Barcelona manager Xavi was not “honest” with him about the extent of his role during his time at the club.
💰The Back Line
💵 Best bets
- UEFA Women’s Champions League: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, Wednesday, 3pm
💰 THE CHOICE: Under 4.5 goals (+114) – After a surprise loss to Manchester City to open the group stage, reigning European champions Barcelona will be aiming for a convincing win to get things back on track. Expect a lopsided win for the hosts, who will be eager to demonstrate their dominance and perhaps improve their goal difference with the top spot in Group D still very much in play. - UEFA Women’s Champions League: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, Thursday, 3 p.m
💰 THE CHOICE: Less than 2.5 goals (+141) – Lyon are obviously the favorites in this match and can come out of this with another three points, but Wolfsburg will be determined to get a point from this match after losing the group stage opener. The hosts’ determination could be enough to keep things tight even if the visitors come out on top.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss CBSSports.com’s betting homepage.
📺 What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10am): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest football storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast formso you never miss an episode again.
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⚽ Call it what you want (Monday evenings): A weekly podcast featuring Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and friends cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also watch the show live on YouTube every Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the latest place for fans to keep up to date with all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the best football leagues and all the unmissable goals from the day’s action, which starts on Thursday and airs for seven days a week.
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