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Luka Dončić with the 2 Pt

Luka Dončić with the 2 Pt

Yahoo01-05-2025

1-on-1 with former star Clint Dempsey on state of U.S. men's national team
With just 15 months to go until the biggest World Cup ever, the USMNT is arguably in crisis. A torrid start to 2025 saw them lose all three games in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals with the pressure building on an underperforming set of players and Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino. The team's all-time joint scorer couldn't hide his concern at the team's recent performances but believes that eventually this squad can come good.
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A reality check for the USMNT: Why Poch's plan backfired in an ugly loss
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"That was my decision and that decision didn't work." Pochettino started 20 different players over the two contests, and he has now fielded 65 players in all since replacing Gregg Berhalter at the U.S. helm last September. "With more than 60 players, it's difficult to have the continuity or balance," Pochettino said. "We changed a lot, [both] the starting 11 and the roster." Just two players started both games, and Pochettino left the experienced likes of Chris Richards and Tim Ream on the bench in Music City, though Ream was among a number of subs who came on in the second half and helped shut down the Swiss over the final 45 minutes. But the young starters were thoroughly outclassed by a Swiss XI that included European standouts like Manchester City center back Manuel Akanji, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka and Borussia Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel. Fullbacks Max Arfsten and Nathan Harriel were badly exposed defensively. 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Azteca Stadium to feature hybrid field, modern amenities for 2026 World Cup
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