USMNT’s Remarkable Transformation: From Defeat to Dominance

TAMPA — Sixteen months ago, the U.S. men’s national team faced a significant setback, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay that resulted in their elimination from the group stage of the 2024 Copa America. In that match, the U.S. was outperformed and outmaneuvered, ultimately succumbing to Uruguay’s physical style of play.

This disappointing Copa America performance led to the dismissal of then-U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter and the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach.

Fast forward to the present, the U.S. team is virtually unrecognizable for the better, having decisively defeated Uruguay 5-1 in a stunning display highlighted by an explosive first-half performance. If this match was meant to serve as a benchmark, the USMNT not only met expectations but exceeded them impressively from the outset.

Sebastian Berhalter initiated the scoring in the 17th minute with a powerful shot after a short free kick taken by Sergiño Dest. Just three minutes later, he assisted Alex Freeman on a corner kick, allowing Freeman to head in his first international goal. Freeman then scored again in the 31st minute, skillfully navigating through the Uruguay defense following a pass from Auston Trusty.

The fourth goal was particularly impressive, culminating in an eight-pass sequence that ended with Diego Luna neatly side-footing the ball into the net. Although Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta managed to score a spectacular bicycle kick in first-half stoppage time due to a lapse in U.S. defense, Tanner Tessmann extended the lead to 5-1 with a header, following a cross from substitute Giovanni Reyna in the 68th minute.

This match produced a multitude of remarkable achievements. It marks the first time since 2013 that the USMNT has gone unbeaten in five consecutive matches against opponents ranked in the top 40. The victory also matches the largest margin of victory ever against a South American opponent, alongside a previous 4-0 win against Bolivia in May 2016, and ties the record for the largest victory against a team ranked in FIFA’s top 15.

Notably, the U.S. was not at full strength for this match, with numerous key players sidelined due to injury, including AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, Marseille’s Tim Weah, and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams. Weston McKennie, another high-profile midfielder, was also absent as he transitioned through a managerial change at Juventus. Despite this, Pochettino was dismissive of any suggestions that he fielded a weakened squad, emphasizing the talent and commitment of the players who participated.

The lineup that took the field on Tuesday was relatively inexperienced, averaging just 14 caps per player, in contrast to the squad that played against Paraguay, which averaged 32 caps. Nonetheless, this outcome was unexpected, and when paired with a prior 2-1 victory over Paraguay, it marks a significant upswing in the team’s performance. Pochettino’s willingness to rotate players—making nine changes to the starting XI—demonstrated the depth of talent available, with a cohesive, aggressive, and hungry group eager to impress.

“I think we’ve got a group full of guys who are hungry for opportunity; a group of guys who are competitors,” U.S. defender Mark McKenzie stated after the match. “The opportunity to step in and play for your country is not something you take lightly, and it shows that we have a deep team, with everyone pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions as challenging as possible.”

The execution from unexpected sources was commendable, as Berhalter’s set-piece deliveries proved lethal, and Freeman displayed his capacity to contribute offensively. This combination of intensity and tactical awareness ensured that the outcome was never in doubt from the players’ perspective.

Reflecting on the match, Berhalter expressed that the entire team felt capable of achieving their goal, underscoring the collective effort of the players.

This win concluded what has been a tumultuous year for the team. It began with high aspirations, only to be met with disappointing outcomes during the Concacaf Nations League in March, where the U.S. lost to both Panama and Canada. There were also humbling friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland.

The Gold Cup provided a glimpse of hope with a younger, less experienced squad, but uncertainty surrounded their future roles. A 2-0 loss to South Korea raised further concerns, yet the subsequent five-match unbeaten streak, with impressive victories over Japan, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay—all World Cup qualifiers—has rejuvenated the program, yielding two significant wins in this international window.

The performances align with Pochettino’s message to his players: “Be realistic and do the impossible,” urging them to continually reassess the potential ceiling of their capabilities.

While there remains much work to be done, Pochettino emphasized the importance of maintaining belief and pushing forward. The next international window in March feels distant, and the players’ eagerness to continue their journey under Pochettino is palpable, though tough decisions regarding squad selection loom ahead.

McKenzie encapsulated the team’s mindset: “You continue to hold yourself to a high standard every day in training, demanding more from yourself. As matches approach, you carry the same mentality, whether you are in camp or not. Creating a sense of competition at our clubs will ultimately benefit the entire squad.”

This transformation in just 16 months is nothing short of remarkable.