It has been a international break to forget for the USMNT.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side began the week with hopes of a trophy but ended it with two disappointing defeats within the CONCACAF Nations League.
After winning 4 consecutive matches under former Tottenham, Chelsea and PSG coach Pochettino, the USMNT have suddenly been plunged right into a crisis.
Last Thursday a final minute goal condemned them to semifinal defeat to Panama, and that was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Canada within the third place playoff.
15 months before they host a World Cup, Pochettino and his players now face intense criticism after being unable to defend the Nations League title they’ve won for the last three tournaments.
For one legend, enough is enough.
Former USMNT captain Landon Donovan didn’t hold back when ripping into the team.
“I’m so sick of hearing how ‘talented’ this group of players is and all of the amazing clubs they play for,” Donovan wrote on social media.
“If you happen to aren’t going to point out up and really give a s!%* about playing in your national team, decline the invite.
“Talent is great, pride is best,” wrote Donovan on X after Sunday’s loss.”
Donovan’s criticism comes amid the USMNT’s roster being dubbed as essentially the most talented for generations and despite the slew of elite players, they’re yet to impress under the direction of Pochettino.
Donovan’s post immediately drew the eye of USWNT icon Carli Lloyd, who quoted her fellow international with the addition ‘They don’t make em such as you guys anymore! #differentbreed.’
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Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie was quick to dismiss the thought the issue lies in talent or tactics but in temperament.
“We all know we will play higher,” McKennie said.
“It wasn’t that we didn’t have control of the games that we played in. But at the top of the day, Panama and Canada just gave the impression of they fought somewhat bit harder than us.
“That may’t be the case, especially moving forward, especially with being a 12 months away from the World Cup.”
Mexico claimed the Nations League at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, beating Panama in the ultimate, because the US finished fourth.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper matt Turner pointed towards the dearth of energy being the rationale behind results.
“There must be a minimum expectation of intensity, of fight, of passion,” Turner said.
“What we needed to do was clear and we weren’t capable of execute it consistently over 90 minutes in each games — , critical errors, critical mistakes, guys not taking ownership in big moments.”
The result raises questions for the US program as Pochettino is yet to deliver on the vision of expansive and attractive football, fans expected from him when he arrived in September 2024.
Time is proscribed, but Pochettino retained a way of perspective when discussing the losses.
“I feel everyone saw and felt that after Panama and Canada, there are things we’d like to enhance loads,” Pochettino said.
“I feel we’d like to approach the games and the camps another way. But I say there’s still plenty of time to the World Cup.
“Now it’s time to be calm, analyze the last two games, after which, like I told the players, ensure you’re ready.”
