GOAL US writers break down the USMNT's win over Panama, and how a weakened lineup will fare in Mexico
Just two days removed from Mauricio Pochettino's much-anticipated debut, things are intriguing in the USMNT camp. After a solid showing against Panama that restored some faith in this side, Pochettino's team face a far tougher test as they travel to play rivals Mexico on Tuesday night.
And although El Tri have struggled mightily in recent months, this won't be an easy game. Playing in Guadalajara, for one, should present a massive challenge. Pochettino’s second game will be the first friendly between the rivals on Mexican soil since August 2012.
Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Marlon Fossey and Zack Steffen have all left camp and returned to the clubs due to workload and injuries.
An already thin team now is now weaker – essentially a reserve U.S. team will face an out-of-form Mexico one. But with Pochettino still trying to install some tactical ideas, there will be plenty of intrigue.
The GOAL US writers break it all down in this USMNT edition of… .
Getty ImagesWhat is your biggest takeaway from the 2-0 win over Panama?
Tom Hindle: That Pochettino is groovy! There are ideas forming here, modern football sort of being pieced together in a coherent way. Proper build-up structures are a thing now, as is the idea that the USMNT can be tactically intelligent. Turns out that when you have a tactically literate manager and a bunch of players who kind of know what they're doing that this whole sport is a bit more interesting – even in 2-0 wins over far weaker opponents. This will take a little time, but there's a system and a buy-in. Consider me intrigued.
Jacob Schneider: The U.S. played as a complete unit in the second half. Yunus Musah doesn't score if Josh Sargent does not draw defenders away from him. The players off the bench made an impact, too, with Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi combining for the second goal. Everyone took their opportunity for the most part, which is exactly what you want to see.
Alex Labidou: The confidence is back. While the game against Panama wasn’t perfect – and the visitors could have easily scored once or twice with better finishing – the U.S. showed determination throughout. In the latter stages of Gregg Berhalter's tenure and during the September friendlies, this was the type of match that the U.S. would have either drawn or lost. It was encouraging to see the team have the resolve to pull it out.
Ryan Tolmich: It may not totally be there yet, but this team is going to look very different as this Pochettino project moves on. He didn't reinvent the wheel against Panama tactically, but there were already tweaks designed to get new things out of players. It's clear that Pochettino is willing to adapt his style to the pieces he has in play, which makes you wonder what he'll do once half of his biggest pieces aren't injured or unavailable.
AdvertisementGettyWith big names missing, what would be considered success against Mexico?
TH: A good performance would be ideal, and, hopefully, a further development of the tactical ideas shown against Panama. Three points is obviously the target, but with so many guys sent home, it might not be entirely realistic. A draw in hostile territory and some good footy for spells would suit the U.S. just fine. Not every friendly is a must-win. Perhaps this is a bit of a non-sequitur, but Jurgen Klopp was celebrating 2-2 draws against West Brom two months into his Liverpool tenure… maybe there's something to that.
JS: It's still must-win for the USMNT. Poch's first camp aside, this team is good enough to beat El Tri, and frankly, they need to. Bring into context that the U.S. is third in the CONCACAF Power Index rankings, they need a win over Mexico to climb into the top two to avoid a group stage winner in November's quarterfinals of the Nations League. Sure, a draw would be a good result on the road without a few stars present, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't help them – or Pochettino.
AL: This feels like a way to have a built-in excuse for any result. If the U.S. beats a full-strength Mexico team, then the Poch magic is in full effect. If the team draws or loses, then the reasons are obvious. Ultimately, the fans are the biggest losers here, but with these matches being friendlies and not FIFA-mandated fixtures, there is not much that can be done.
RT: Win. Nothing short of that. Pochettino has set the expectation that every game matters, and a visit to Mexico is always going to matter more than just any game. Yes, there are absences, which is an excuse, but it's also an opportunity. Wouldn't it be one hell of a message to beat Mexico in Guadalajara without the likes of Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest, Tim Weah and Tyler Adams? Those are exactly the messages that Pochettino is eager to send in these initial games.
Getty ImagesWho will be the X-factor for the USMNT against El Tri?
TH: With a lot of the big guns out, it's hard to highlight a single individual who's going to change this game for the U.S. Let's face it, there isn't a great goalscorer at play here. But a good performance from Josh Sargent would be a start. The Norwich man got a lot of heat on social media for his showing against Panama – he did miss a couple of good chances. But his movement was excellent throughout. He might be the kind of forward who just needs one to hit the back of the net, if only for his confidence.
JS: Brandon Vazquez. Without Pepi available vs Mexico, he will be given a shot either in the XI or off the bench in a country in which he's familiar with both the altitude and physicality of the opposition. A dominant force in the air, it'll be interesting to see if the U.S. plan a crossing game around him, whenever he plays.
AL: This is a tricky one because, in theory, most observers want to see the entire team continue to progress under Pochettino. There are only a few international windows left until the big show happens in 2026 and every match is significant when it comes to implementing the Argentine's system.
That said, Sargent is a man to watch. He did a lot of good things in the win against Panama, but badly fluffed his lines when he had a chance to convert the easiest chance of the night in the second half.
RT: It has to be someone in the attack, simply because of the missing pieces. Realistically, the USMNT is without three starters (Pulisic, Balogun, Weah) as well as its most creative midfielder (Gio Reyna). As a result, someone is going to have to step up and lead from the front. Could that be Sargent? He had some good moments against Panama, but he desperately needs a goal of his own. He'll be eager to get one in this game.
Getty ImagesWho will get an opportunity due to the players sent home?
TH: Well, pretty much everyone. There will be a little more Tanner Tessman content (snooze.) But the most intriguing thing here is what Poch may or may not do with Malik Tillman. The attacking midfielder/winger has been excellent for PSV this season, and probably deserves a look for the national team as a result. Perhaps he can slot into that Pulisic winger-turned-inside-forward role – with Haji Wright coming off the other wing. It's never really clicked for Tillman at the national team level. This could be his chance.
JS: It's got to be Brandon Vazquez or Alejandro Zendejas. Both know Liga MX very well, and are already adjusted to the playing conditions there. Considering how much Poch values workrate, it feels safe to assume Zendejas will lineup on the wing at one point during the match, too.
AL: Haji Wright should get a start for a number of reasons. One, it is clear to see without Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, and Cade Cowell, the U.S. currently doesn't have a lot of direct wingers on the squad. Wright is a bit of a tweener who can play between striker and wing, but he could be a potential answer there. Wright hasn't done anything of note for the national team since the 2022 World Cup, where he scored against the Netherlands. Against Mexico in Guadalajara? That's a chance to make a statement.
RT: With McKennie gone, the midfield has one less regular, which could open the door for someone like Tessmann. The Lyon midfielder arrived late to camp after joining as an injury replacement, so it made sense for him to not get a big run out in the Panama game. After his performances the Olympics, though, there's excitement around him, which means he should get at least a look against Mexico. It'll be interesting to see how Tessmann fits because he is one of those guys that very easily could be in a much bigger role at this time next year.
