USMNT legend Landon Donovan stresses the vital importance of the upcoming year leading up to the 2026 World Cup, seeing it as a key period for the host nation`s team to make necessary improvements before the tournament kicks off next June.
With the Gold Cup approaching, the USMNT faces its final opportunity to secure silverware before the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is working with a less experienced roster, partly due to injuries like Antonee Robinson`s and Club World Cup duties for players such as Weston McKennie. Star Christian Pulisic is also sitting out the tournament for recovery. Donovan highlighted the Gold Cup, along with preceding friendlies, as valuable chances for emerging USMNT talents to prove they deserve a spot on the World Cup roster.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Donovan noted that players on the fringes of the squad have a significant opportunity now because some established players have underperformed. He cited examples like Diego Luna, Brian White, and Patrick Agyemang. Donovan cautioned existing team members to be vigilant, as a couple of poor performances could easily lead to another player taking their place.
These chances for newer players come after a challenging year for the team, which included the dismissal of head coach Gregg Berhalter following a group stage exit from the Copa America and a disappointing fourth-place finish under new coach Pochettino at the Concacaf Nations League finals in March. The team`s perceived lack of competitive intensity during the March defeats prompted Donovan to criticize the group on social media, a sentiment he still upholds: “talent is great, pride is better.”
Donovan asserted that coaching doesn`t matter if the team lacks effort; without it, success is impossible, and they risk embarrassment on home soil. He feels players have a duty to perform regardless of who is coaching. Recalling former coach Bruce Arena, Donovan quoted him saying a coach shouldn`t need to instruct players on effort—it should be automatic. He suspects Pochettino currently feels the need to coach effort, which Donovan finds concerning, emphasizing that players must be accountable.
Donovan elaborated that this “obligation to show up” is about honoring the legacy of previous generations who made significant sacrifices, enabling the current players to achieve fame and financial success. He feels the current generation needs to understand the sacrifices made for their opportunities and embrace the responsibility that comes with wearing the national team jersey.
Despite his criticism, Donovan clarified he hasn`t lost faith in the group`s potential. He specifically praised Christian Pulisic`s performance at AC Milan as his best season yet. He emphasized the value of every upcoming opportunity, including the Club World Cup where McKennie, Weah, and Reyna will participate, as crucial preparation in the final year before the World Cup.
Gio Reyna, in particular, likely needs to translate his summer opportunities into securing consistent playing time at a club, potentially via a transfer, in the season leading up to the World Cup. He started only five matches out of 25 appearances for Dortmund last season. Donovan`s strong recommendation for any player not featuring regularly is simple: “go somewhere and play,” regardless of the club`s stature, as consistency and confidence are the biggest predictors of World Cup success.
Consistent playing time is especially critical given the unique pressure of a home World Cup, a scenario Donovan himself never experienced. He acknowledged the immense scrutiny and pressure the current team will face, with every move monitored. The best way to handle this, he argued, is to be playing regularly and confidently at their clubs, making stepping onto the field feel natural. Conversely, players lacking form are more vulnerable to doubt when facing pressure at home, risking mistakes early in games.
According to Donovan, the crucial year ahead is about this USMNT generation proving they can fulfill the potential identified when they first came together to revitalize the program after the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
He stated that the team`s challenge is not a lack of ability, as many players have demonstrated capability at major clubs and in important matches.
However, Donovan believes there`s a “leadership question” within the squad. He feels the team needs more players who take personal responsibility for the outcome of matches, rather than merely being contributors on a talented roster. He contrasted this with previous generations where players understood their poor performance directly correlated with a team loss, driving them to perform. More current players need to step up, take charge, and be accountable for results.
