The US Men's National Team (USMNT) took its first steps in preparing for next summer's World Cup, which will be played on home soil. The USA, Mexico, and Canada are sharing hosting duties next summer, and because of that, they do not have to qualify for the tournament. That makes international windows and friendly games more critical. This past week, the USMNT played its first window of friendlies against teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and the results were on polar opposites.
USMNT lost to South Korea 2-0, but beat Japan 2-0
This past week, the first of three international windows in as many months, during which two matches will be played. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino experimented with his roster. He called in a mixture of mainstays and some unfamiliar faces, using this time as his last "experimental roster" he'll call up as he starts to construct his team for the World Cup. The formations, effort, and results differed in two matches against Asian Football Confederation powerhouses.
The first match was in Harrison, New Jersey, at the New York Red Bulls' home against South Korea. The crowd predominantly favored South Korea, and the USA failed to rise to the occasion, which felt like a road match. This US team didn't fight for each other, and after South Korea found their first goal through their talisman Son Heung-Min, the game felt over. Poch did end up changing the formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3 formation. The team looked better but still lost spectacularly.
Fast-forward three days, and the USA changed its personnel but kept the 3-4-3 lineup to take on a Japan team that didn't play its full-strength squad like South Korea did. This time, on hallowed ground in Columbus, the USMNT played with heart and vigor and got a familiar Dos-a-Cero scoreline. Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun scored in each half to secure the victory. While it was against a rotated Japan team, it is still a much-needed win that could spark a turnaround for the vibes surrounding the USMNT.
Will the win vs Japan turn the vibes around?
Coming into September, the vibes around this US Men's National Team were bleak. Star players were beefing with the coach, and the coach refused to call in some high-caliber players to set the culture for this team. The result was seen as a waste of time when players below the caliber of a World Cup team were starting in very limited games before the World Cup. The win vs Japan saw a mix of fringe players and World Cup starters get a W against a rotated opponent; Pochettino has said that this was the last time we will see him tinker with the USMNT, so the last five international windows should show us the top USA side.
A much-needed win, added to a coach that was allowed to evaluate the player pool over his first year, and the urgency to get the best XI on the field together before hosting the World's biggest tournament could turn the vibes around this team. The USMNT has had a fervent following in the past, but that has faltered over the last few World Cup cycles. Now is the time for the team to take on World Cup quality opponents in the lead up to a home World Cup that could produce the next big soccer-boom this country has clammered on about for what feels like eons.
A look at the rest of the USMNT's 2025
To capitalize on this, US Soccer has announced that the USMNT will take on teams from various regions of the world that have already qualified for the World Cup. We saw the US take on two teams from Asia in September. In October and November, they will take on teams from CONMEBOL and another team that had to qualify through the AFC qualifying. Here's a look at the USMNT's upcoming games to finish 2025.
USA vs Ecuador | Friday, Oct. 10 | 8:30 pm EST
USA vs Australia | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 9 pm EST
USA vs Paraguay | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 5 pm ESTGame at Subaru Park: home of the Philadelphia Union!
USA vs Uruguay | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 7 pm EST
October sees the USA playing the second-best team in South American qualifying, Ecuador, in Austin, Texas, and then traveling to Denver, Colorado, to play Australia. These are two very tricky opponents, and Poch will have to get the most out of his "full-strength" roster to get positive results. Then, in November, the USA comes to the Philadelphia area to play Paraguay at Subaru Park before going to Tampa Bay to take on Uruguay. More quality opponents will allow us to see if this team is gelling or not.
As the calendar turns to 2026, the USMNT is reportedly lining up March friendlies against strong European teams, Portugal and Belgium. Right now, Portugal is in a qualifying spot for 2026 with four matches to go, and Belgium is one point off of that coveted spot with the same number of games to go. US Soccer is doing its best to get the best out of the USMNT coaches and players by getting high-caliber opponents as get-ready games. Now we need to see how the USMNT handles the pressure and what vibe they choose to create!
Be sure to return to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content!
Follow our Union team on Twitter:
Tim Lovenguth | Jimmy King | Nate TennesenSteve Beavon | Eric Frysinger | Paul FrenzelTomiwa Aderinoye | Christopher Babos | Liam Jenkins
Doop on Union fans!
