Findings from the loss to Mexico

Mauricio Pochettino suffered his first defeat as USMNT head coach on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat as his team was outplayed by Mexico. An evening that could have been used to build confidence instead becomes a showcase of the work the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager has ahead of him.

The overall performance was unacceptable for a game against his fiercest rival, even if it was a friendly. There is a noticeable divide between the starters and those pushing for more first-team minutes, and poor trends from the Gregg Berhalter era remain. It is still very early in Pochettino’s term, so overreactions may be unwarranted, but certain areas need to be addressed going forward.

Here are three takeaways from the international friendly.

For the USA it is the first defeat against Mexico since 2019.

It was a disappointing night for the USMNT, especially in the second half. The USA lost that evening 17:5 (five to one on goal). Additionally, the USMNT only had 41% possession in the first 45 minutes. The USMNT’s first and only shot on goal took 78 minutes.

After Raúl Jiménez’s free kick goal in the 22nd minute, the USMNT couldn’t get anything significant going in the first half.

Just after the tunnel in the second half, a misjudgment by Tim Ream led to a second goal after Jiménez deflected the ball away from him, giving Cesar Huerta a golden chance which he converted. Jiménez and Mexico wanted more tonight and it showed. Alejandro Zendejas, who came on as a second-half substitute, seemed to be the only player who understood the USA-Mexico game.

This team was not expected to go undefeated, nor is it expected to win every single game when they take the field. Heart, desire and willingness to do it were to be expected and those factors were not present tonight.

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Time is of the essence and there is still a noticeable gap between those starting and those fighting for places.

Josh Sargent, Brenden Aaronson and Malik Tillman failed to get a single shot on goal in the 63rd minute. Haji Wright wasn’t much better. Looking at the midfield, Gianluca Busio, Aidan Morris and Tanner Tessmann were unable to gain a foothold in the game.

Pulisic is the first name on the team sheet, but who will step up in attack and start the World Cup? The same applies to the midfield.

Pochettino needs to introduce a culture that starts with competition for places. When there is healthy competition, not only do deep players improve their level, but it also forces beginners to improve their game. If not, players looking for an opportunity will grab it with two hands.

The fans couldn’t stand how easily the USA were beaten under Berhalter. For most of the night this seemed to be the case once again. This involves learning a new system under a new coach, but there must be a collective sense of pride every time the team takes the field. This team won’t score three goals in every game, but it must be difficult to break them down in midfield and defense. The free kick is one thing, but Ream’s loss of the ball and lack of duels won shows where this team needs to improve.

The team’s fight and heart were questioned after it competed in the Copa América last summer. Pochettino will have to allay those concerns and emerge from the game when the USA reunite for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals on November 18.

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