Following their loss to Turkey, the United States men`s national team has an opportunity to demonstrate improvements against Switzerland, another strong UEFA opponent. Switzerland, currently ranked 20th globally, consistently reaches the knockout rounds in major tournaments like the Euros and World Cups. Although they haven`t claimed a major title, they represent the level the USMNT aspires to reach.
Having suffered three consecutive defeats for the first time since 2015, the USMNT and coach Mauricio Pochettino are under increasing pressure. With Tyler Adams absent, this match against Switzerland will be a significant challenge ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Several players earned their first caps against Turkey, and more new faces might feature as Pochettino evaluates a wider range of talent.
Historically, the team has faced difficulties when key players like Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and Christian Pulisic are absent. This game offers an opportunity to overcome that pattern. The squad needs to develop greater unity under Pochettino, but with only a few potential starters from the 2022 World Cup squad featuring, building chemistry remains challenging amidst frequent roster adjustments.
Previous experience playing together at youth or club levels offers limited help when the coach hasn`t been able to work with a consistent core group since his appointment. This international break provides five matches, offering Pochettino a chance to build some consistency, albeit possibly with a different set of players than anticipated. A lack of positive results so close to the next World Cup would cause concern, but there is still time to improve the situation.
Predicted USMNT Starting XI
- Matt Turner
- Max Arfsten
- Tim Ream
- Chris Richards
- Alex Freeman
- Luca De La Torre
- Jack McGlynn
- Johnny Cardoso
- Diego Luna
- Patrick Agyemang
- Malik Tillman
Key Player Spotlight
Malik Tillman, USMNT: Coach Pochettino praised Tillman`s performance against Turkey. While his assist for Jack McGlynn was notable, Tillman showed flashes of quality. In Gio Reyna`s absence, Tillman and Diego Luna are crucial for providing creative spark. Despite being a highly-rated recruit, Tillman`s strong club form hasn`t consistently translated to the national team. A key objective for this camp under Pochettino is to bridge that gap, which would significantly benefit the team. Contributing to chance creation, rather than just goals or assists, will be vital for keeping opponents off balance.
Key Narrative: Seeking Progress
Ultimately, these friendlies aren`t definitive indicators of Gold Cup success. Even Mexico lost to Switzerland but remains a Gold Cup contender. The USMNT`s goal is simply to be competitive in this match. Their performance against Turkey, despite a narrow loss, wasn`t always competitive. Switzerland offers a different tactical challenge, making it difficult for the USMNT to generate attacking opportunities, which is precisely why this match serves as a valuable test.
Match Prediction
Switzerland is likely to take an early lead and maintain control. While the USMNT showed some improvement in possession against Turkey, they may struggle to create enough scoring chances. This could result in their fourth consecutive loss as they look ahead to regrouping for the Gold Cup. Prediction: USMNT 1, Switzerland 2.
