The United States Men’s National Team hosts New Zealand for an international soccer friendly on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 (9/10/24) at TQL Stadium. Fans can watch the match via a free trial of DirecTV Stream, or a subscription to MAX.
American soccer only had one eye on Tuesday night's friendly against New Zealand. The other was hyper-focused on an auspicious announcement. If you didn't hear, there's finally a new coach in charge and as expected, it is Mauricio Pochettino.
Attention will widely be on Pochettino's first game in charge in October. Yet, those who did watch what happened in a friendly against New Zealand Tuesday night saw some level of improvement, but also a whole lot to be worried about.
Christian Pulisic came off the bench to score for the USMNT, who couldn't hold the lead in what ended as a 1-1 draw. A defensive breakdown led to Mark McKenzie clearing the ball directly of Ben Waine and in. That's just how things are bouncing right now for the USMNT. On the pitch, they can't catch a break.
"Obviously difficult results for us, and it’s not a great feeling. But I think moving forward, it’s time to turn a page and we really have to pick it up a level - I mean everyone that’s a part of this," Pulisic said on TNT. "It feels pretty low right now but I know there’s better times ahead."
Fortunately for the U.S., the page has largely been turned due to Tuesday's coaching hire. Tuesday was Pochettino's day, and the road to the 2026 World Cup really starts now, even if the performance in Cincinnati shows there's still so much work to be done.
USMNT vs New Zealand: Match Recap
The US Men's National Team opened the scoring in the 69th minute after a brilliant run by Pulisic. It would be the only goal for the US until the final whistle, as New Zealand tied the match in the 89th minute.
The US seemed like they'd cap a memorable night with a win, but a late disaster saw them settle for a frustrating draw.
The draw continues a poor run of form for the US, who are now winless in their last four matches. The team has not won since a 2-0 victory over Mexico on June 15, 2024.
Pochettino's First Challenge
With the arrival of Pochettino, many US fans hope that the team can finally turn their fortunes around and begin to build towards the 2026 World Cup.
While the US has a talented group of players, the team has struggled to find consistency in recent years. This lack of consistency has led to frustration among fans and calls for a change in leadership.
The US will have the chance to impress Pochettino in their next match, which is scheduled for October. The opponent for the match has yet to be determined.
What's Next for the USMNT?
The US will now have the chance to regroup and prepare for their next match, which is scheduled for October. The opponent for the match has yet to be determined, but it will be Pochettino's first game in charge.
Pochettino will have his work cut out for him as he tries to turn the USMNT around, but he has the experience and the pedigree to do so. The team has a talented roster of players and with the right guidance, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
The USMNT is hoping for a fresh start with Pochettino, and the team will be looking to make a strong impression in his first game in charge.
A Look Ahead to the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and the US will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament. The team has a strong home-field advantage, and the pressure will be on to perform well in front of the home crowd.
Pochettino's arrival could be the spark that the USMNT needs to get back on track and make a run for the title in 2026.
USMNT Player Ratings
The USMNT's performance against New Zealand was a mixed bag. The team showed flashes of brilliance, but they were also prone to mistakes. The game was a microcosm of the USMNT's struggles in recent years.
Here are some of the player ratings from the game:
Christian Pulisic: 8/10
Yunus Musah: 7/10
Brenden Aaronson: 6/10
Folarin Balogun: 6/10
Ricardo Pepi: 5/10
Haji Wright: 5/10
Mark McKenzie: 4/10
Final Thoughts
The USMNT's draw against New Zealand was not the result that the team was hoping for, but it was a step in the right direction. The team showed some signs of improvement, but they still have a long way to go.
The arrival of Pochettino is a positive sign for the USMNT, and the team will be looking to make a strong impression in his first game in charge. The team has a talented roster of players and with the right guidance, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and the US will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament. Pochettino's arrival could be the spark that the USMNT needs to get back on track and make a run for the title in 2026.
