The USMNT icon has delivered a scathing assessment of the national team under the Argentine, suggesting he should bear significant responsibility
Lalas questions whether players understand tactical approachWarns Gold Cup success won't erase concerning pattern of performancesUSMNT risk losing public confidence ahead of crucial 2026 World Cup on home soilGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Following the USMNT’s 4-0 loss to Switzerland, former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas delivered pointed criticism of head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The defeat marked the team’s fourth straight loss and a particularly uninspired performance.
Lalas argued that Pochettino shouldn't be let off the hook for the team’s struggles, saying the squad looks unsure of its identity – either because they don’t know what they’re trying to do, or they’re simply incapable of doing it. He added that, as a group, the team isn’t meeting the standard expected at this level.
“This is where I get into Mauricio Pochettino," Lalas said on his podcast. "I don't think that he should be absolved by any stretch of the imagination with what is going on here."
He added, “And if he just wants to, you know, kick the can down the road and say, hey, listen, everybody, shut up shop and we'll meet you back here in June of 2026, OK? I don't agree with that. But if that's what is going to happen, then, you know, I think that we've got even bigger problems here."
Lalas further hit out at the squad that Pochettino has put out for the USMNT’s last two friendly games and believes that they don’t look like they know what they’re doing on the field.
“A team that does not look like they know what they want to do either, because like I said, they don't know what they want to do, or a team that can't do it,” Lalas explained.
“And I do think that to be fair, even though this is a criticism, these players from a pure soccer perspective, individually and collectively, this group was not up to it. And this is a not an elite team they were playing against, but a team that will tear you apart. They barely broke a sweat. I'm talking about Switzerland," he said.
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Lalas also believes that there are panic buttons being pushed in the backrooms of U.S. Soccer and even amongst the fans, especially in light of the USMNT’s current performances.
“For someone like him [Pochettino], all that matters is the World Cup,” Lalas explained. “But pushing all of those chips into next summer and not only doing that, but then on the other side, when we are seeing these games, I mean, there have to be panic buttons being pushed behind the scenes. And certainly out there in American soccer land."
The USMNT icon also insisted they level of criticism the U.S. are currently receiving is justified based on the results.
“And you know, I know we wear our heart on our sleeve, and we can get incredibly emotional about this at something that's a good thing. We shouldn't apologize for that," Lalas said. "And when you see a performance like this again, with a team lacking any sense of how they want to play, how they want to press, and then you compound it with any sense of, you know, physical intimidation out there.”
He added that, in his opinion, the team is reaching into dangerous territory where fans stop believing in them and start believing that they’ll embarrass the country at the 2026 World Cup.
“Now we have been in difficult moments, and we have been in moments where we are debating as to whatever that quality is when it comes to this team. But I think we're into territory here right now where people are really worried about this team embarrassing themselves and then obviously embarrassing us as a nation at a home World Cup," he said.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lalas' comments touch on a broader issue of expectations versus reality for this generation of American players. Despite having more talent playing at top European clubs than any previous era, the national team has struggled to translate individual success into collective performance. Furthermore, the persistent tactical confusion and lack of cohesion observed in recent matches suggests fundamental issues that could undermine the team's World Cup campaign if not addressed immediately.
AFPWHAT’S NEXT?
With their pretournament friendlies now over, the USMNT will turn their focus towards the 2025 Gold Cup, which starts on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago.
