CARSON, California – After a disappointing loss to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal, the US Men`s National Team is focused on improving their mentality before their game against Canada. The team is determined to put the recent defeat behind them.
The loss to Panama added to a series of underwhelming performances over the past year, raising concerns about the team`s mental toughness and their ability to reach their full potential for the 2026 World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino and players alike have acknowledged the team needs to be more competitive. Midfielder Tyler Adams agrees with this assessment.
Adams stated that criticism is justified if the team wants to be praised, they need to perform at a higher level.
To address this issue, Pochettino held a team meeting to emphasize the need for a “killer mentality.”
Winger Timothy Weah explained that Pochettino stressed the importance of wanting to win, giving 100% effort, fighting together, and working towards their goals.
Since the loss, the team has had serious discussions, both formal and informal, to honestly evaluate their weaknesses.
Weah admitted that when playing against teams considered weaker, they sometimes lack intensity because they expect an easy win. This echoed Pochettino`s view, who felt the issue wasn`t solely with the players.
Pochettino Urges More Intensity
Pochettino wants the team to bring the same intensity they show at their club teams, where losses have significant consequences. He suggested that sometimes there`s a more relaxed attitude with the national team. He believes the team might have wrongly assumed they would eventually score and win against Panama, lacking the necessary aggression and urgency from the start. Pochettino pointed out that they wasted the first 45 minutes and, despite improving in the second half, ultimately paid the price for their slow start.
Pochettino also mentioned that the team is still new to his coaching style. Having only coached seven games, and with players frequently missing training camps due to injuries and scheduling conflicts, he believes the team might be too focused on strictly following instructions instead of seizing opportunities during the game.
Pochettino emphasized that the main goal is to score. He believes that while building a strong structure and dominating possession are important, the team needs to be more aggressive in attack and quicker to move forward when the chance arises. He feels this attacking edge has been missing.
The players recognize that this missing competitive edge is crucial for Pochettino`s tactics and aim to match the energy of the Canadian team in their upcoming game.
Adams: `We Must Raise Our Standards`
Adams stressed the need to match the intensity of every Concacaf opponent, not just Canada, using Panama as a prime example. He believes the team needs to set the standard in every game and not wait to react after being challenged. He emphasized that representing their country should be enough motivation, regardless of the game`s placement in a tournament.
Weah thinks the Canada game will be an opportunity to show the USMNT`s true potential, which they`ve been expected to reach for years, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching on home soil.
Weah believes the Panama game was a necessary wake-up call, highlighting areas for improvement under the new coach. He is optimistic that the team will grow and evolve significantly in the coming years before the World Cup. He sees the loss as a valuable learning experience that will ultimately help them fine-tune their game and become a much stronger squad.
Adrian Whitmore