Herculez Gomez still isn't convinced by the U.S. men's national team. There have been, on the face of things, improvements. A poor run was followed by three undefeated fixtures in a row, including wins over Japan and Australia. Take in 180 combined minutes against Ecuador and Australia, and manager Mauricio Pochettino's side could have walked away with three straight wins.
"Not just the actual results, but in terms of all overall style, tactical play, just identity, things that had been lacking under his tenure - this was probably his most impressive window," Gomez tells GOAL. "So in terms of that, I'd say it was his best window that he's had thus far. And I think it's of no surprise that is coupled with the best player selection of his era. So I think the two go hand in hand."
For Gomez, the ESPN+ analyst and host of Futbol Americas, performances really tell the tale.
"While there are some positives, there's a stark reminder that this is not a finished product for these players," Gomez says.
For the first time, Pochettino finds himself looking at some positives. There is a formation to toy with, and tactical ideas forming. Questions are now being asked about who the U.S. has to leave out. Weston McKennie, for example, might be the elite talent to sit on the bench.
"There could be a few casualties," Gomez said. "I look at where Weston McKennie has been playing in that formation, and his plan is a double 10, which is not a position suited to his attributes. He hasn't been a player that I would say has been a mainstay on this national team. So he could be a casualty."
Gomez talks all things USMNT in Mic'd up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of analysts, announcers and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.
NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
