‘Questions as to whether this team is good enough’ - Alexi Lalas criticizes USMNT's uninspired performances at Nations League

The USMNT suffered back-to-back defeats in the CONCACAF Nations League, losing to Panama in the semifinals and then to Canada in the third-place game. Former U.S. star Alexi Lalas, speaking on his State of the Union podcast, expressed frustration with the team's performances.

“You think, ‘Well with a couple of days in the different air and with the light of those different days, maybe you’re gonna feel different,' ” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast, referencing his immediate reaction to the U.S. loss to Canada. “I don’t feel any different. And I do think that the situation has only been exasperated by more of the questioning of whether this team is good enough. And that in and of itself would give us plenty to talk about.

"But also the real question is to whether these players care? And care when they step on the field to represent what I feel is the greatest country in the world? And I think that that conversation is going to continue."

Lalas also touched upon the 2025 Gold Cup that the USMNT are co-hosting alongside Canada and believes that while the Americans are favorites, Pochettino and his team need to show the fans something more.

“It’s also worth looking at the fact what the Gold Cup is in this moment," he said. "We all know that the U.S. has won multiple Gold Cups, that the U.S. going into a Gold Cup are, traditionally, one of the favorites. And notwithstanding what just happened, this summer in the Gold Cup the U.S. are going to be one of the favorites.

“But I think because of what has happened not just over the last week but over the last year with Copa America, now there is a real pressure and onus on Mauricio Pochettino in the Gold Cup to at least show progress, at least show improvement and to win back some of those hearts and minds, as it’ll then be a year before the World Cup."

The USMNT lost 1-0 to Panama in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League and then lost 2-1 to Canada in the third-place game, finishing fourth in the tournament. It marked the first time since the tournament was created that the USMNT have not won the trophy.

The USMNT will face Turkiye and Switzerland prior to the Gold Cup, and then participate in the summer tournament, which will be their last competitive international games before the 2026 World Cup.