After the painful loss to Mexico, in which the USMNT faced a humiliating defeat, a former USMNT star has come forward with harsh criticism aimed not only at the players but also at the broader mentality within the team. Some may blame head coach Mauricio Pochettino for tactics or fitness. But, former player Herculez Gomez believes the real issue is the key players like Christian Pulisic.

The ex-USMNT star is frustrated with the team’s performance. They don’t seem to care or fight to win on the field. He recognizes that Mauricio Pochettino is partly responsible for aspects such as fitness management and in-game adjustments. But he thinks it’s unfair to place all the blame on the coach. The problem appears to be more profound, with the team lacking the motivation to compete or even being afraid of it, particularly during away games.

On the face of things, loss to Mexico seems to be a strategic issue or one of insufficiency in preparation. Further to that, the USMNT had eight starters missing and that greatly played into the final result. Nevertheless, according to Gomez, issues go much deeper than who was on the field.

The comments by the ex-USMNT star also highlighted a worrying trend of the US soccer team that perhaps they are not good in away games. The CONCACAF tour that took them to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras presents its own set of challenges. Crowds, conditions, and pressure can break even the best teams. For the USMNT, it’s more than just tough environments. The team has yet to overcome a mental barrier.

“Why did I think this time would be any different?” He said this, reflecting on the team’s poor record abroad. The absence of key players should have warned of the result. But, even at full strength, the USMNT often falls short on the road. The team’s fear of the opposition and low confidence weigh heavily on them. This defeat to Mexico is a perfect example.

A wake-up call for USMNT?

Gomez criticized Christian Pulisic and other star players for their mentality. Pulisic, the face of U.S. soccer, and his teammates have faced criticism for not showing enough fight and passion in high-pressure games. Gomez thinks the problem isn’t a lack of talent, but rather a lack of courage and determination.

“The players are scared,” he said bluntly. “They’re afraid to play, and that’s not something you can just blame on the coach.”

Gomez’s comments highlighted this concern, pointing out that Christian Pulisic, along with other star players, was given a pass by the coach. In the recent match, Pulisic was allowed to leave the team early to rejoin his club, raising questions about commitment. “Why should I believe in these players when they don’t show up in the big moments?” he questioned, adding that while Pulisic is a brilliant player, his performances in crucial away games leave much to be desired.

In fact, most people pointed a finger at Mauricio Pochettino because his team is supposed to have the best tactics under him. But as Gomez says, it’s not fully Pochettino’s fault on how the team doesn’t have a good mentality. “You can blame Pochettino for fitness or tactical adjustments, but you can’t blame him for players not caring,” he said.

Gomez’s criticism is a wake-up call for the USMNT. The team needs to fix its poor away record, lack of effort, and over-reliance on inconsistent star players. While Mauricio Pochettino can guide from the sidelines, the real change must come from within the team.

The ex-USMNT star’s words reveal a tough truth the only talent alone can’t elevate the U.S. team. Without the right mindset, even the best team will fail in crucial moments.