USA

The United States is a powerhouse in Gold Cup history. Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, the US has participated in every edition, always serving as host or co-host.

What to expect

After a good start under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, the US have tailed off abjectly. A Nations League performance in March that saw them lose to both Panama and Canada was then followed by a friendly loss to Turkey.

This is the last competitive chance Pochettino has to assess his team before the home-hosted World Cup in 2026, but he doesn’t have a full team available to pick from and is crucially missing key players.

The Gold Cup will test the character of the manager and the players in front of a nation that frequently fails to turn out to support its national team in large numbers – Mexico draw larger crowds than the US team.

But if Pochettino thinks no-one is watching or cares, that isn’t the case, and 2026 is the ideal time for the US to build that unbreakable bond between the national team and the country’s large base of soccer fans. The question is whether this team and management have the motivation to really go and move heaven and earth to do it. Inspiration has been lacking all round.

Notable absences include Christian Pulisic (resting!) and Yunus Musah (personal reasons); Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna, and Tim Weah, who miss out due to Club World Cup commitments; and Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi who are injured.

That leaves a huge opportunity for the current squad to stake a 2026 selection claim.

The US has captured seven Gold Cup titles (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2021), second only to Mexico, and has finished as runners-up six times.

The US Gold Cup record shows 75 wins, 16 draws, and just 11 losses in 102 matches, scoring 199 goals and conceding 66 as of 2023.

In the 2023 Gold Cup, the United States reached the semi-finals but fell to Panama in a tense penalty shootout.

Star Players

• Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) – A creative spark and relentless engine in midfield who came back into form in Leeds United’s promotion season back to the Premier League. With 47 caps and 8 goals, Aaronson will be one of the USMNT’s go-to playmakers.
• Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) – The heartbeat of the American midfield when he is fit, combining tireless work rate with tactical intelligence and leadership. There is no doubting his quality, but his fragility has blighted his career too often at key moments.

• Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) – A rock at the back whose athleticism, aerial ability, and calmness under pressure have made him a mainstay in the USMNT defense.
• Matt Turner (Crystal Palace) – Commanding and composed between the posts with 51 caps, trusted for his shot-stopping heroics and defensive organization. Despite hardly ever playing for the English clubs he has been at, Turner has been a stunning shot stopper for the US team, frequently leading them to victory with clean sheets. There is no questioning his commitment or desire.

Head Coach

Mauricio Pochettino joined the USA in September 2024, succeeding Gregg Berhalter who had become too hot to handle following his spat with the Reyna family.

Pochettino is renowned for his high-pressing, attacking philosophy and commitment to youth development – the latter being his strength. His résumé includes successful stints at Tottenham Hotspur (leading them to their first UEFA Champions League final) and Paris Saint-Germain (capturing the Ligue 1 title). Critics will say he should have done better at both clubs and doubts remain over whether he is a winning coach.

His recent results with the US – poor Nations League performances in particular – mean the jury is still out. He has continually been linked with a return to Spurs but he is unlikely to do that while under the enormous $6m a year contract he has with the US. He is rapidly reaching a tipping point and few excuses will be accepted if the performances are as abject as they were at the Nations League in March where he looked to have the wrong personnel, the wrong tactics and to have – at times – lost the dressing room and its leader Pulisic.

Schedule

• June 15, 2025: vs Trinidad & Tobago (GC) – San Jose, PayPal Park
• June 19, 2025: vs Saudi Arabia (GC) – Austin, Q2 Stadium
• June 22, 2025: vs Haiti (GC) – Dallas, AT&T Stadium

 Squad: