Needless to say, it was an embarrassing performance by the USMNT. Some fans say Mauricio Pochettino got it wrong by picking a strong team against Panama. With that being a home match, players could take home the victory. Yet, they played Mexico away in Guadalajara. In a game known for intense and passionate rivalry, former USMNT icon Alexi Lalas ranted about his nation’s dismal performance.

He wanted Mauricio Pochettino to select the team accordingly, with two friendlies between each other. For the game against Panama, he selected Christian Pulisic. One of the key players on the team, Pulisic, did not play in this match because of load management. The growing number of matches in the European soccer schedule has led to doubts about the players’ physical condition. Yet, many ask why he didn’t play against Mexico because he could have been rested against Panama. Anyhow, Lalas spoke passionately about his country’s failure to put in a stellar performance.

In Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union podcast, he mentioned, “This one hurts. I think it’s embarrassing against Mexico to come out and play like that. It’s embarrassing, yes to lose, but in the way that we lost. And, in the two games in this window, Panama at home, and Mexico away in Guadalajara. This game. This was going to be the true test with all due respect to Panama.”

For years, Mexico and the USMNT battled it out against each other. Sharing borders, this rivalry has been brewing up to something fierce in recent years. Mexico leads the head-to-head between the two nations with 38 victories while the USMNT won 25 matches. Nevertheless, even keeping rivalries aside Lalas disliked the performance his country showcased. “This was going to be a true test and yet we went down there with what has to be said as a B to C type of team. And again, that’s disrespectful to the rivalry, and it’s ultimately embarrassing in what happened.”

Needless to say, Pochettino has to find the balance and improve the displays.

Mauricio Pochettino must improve the USMNT squad!

This loss certainly became a reality check for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT. With some of the best talents on the team, losing particularly to a rival feels like a punch in the gut. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie could be crucial going forward as Pochettino looks to rebuild the squad from scratch. Some performances left the manager to think about the team heading to the 2026 World Cup.

In the central defensive areas, age is slowly catching up to Tim Ream. We understand his influence on his nation in the past decade, but sometimes, similar to what Emma Hayes did, the USMNT needs a change. Having a young center-back could help the squad because Ream looks washed out. Not only Ream, but Miles Robinson looked miles off his best in the match.

Gianluca Busio is a wonder kid in the current squad. With heavy potential, the player must develop physically to take control of the games. Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino would need the band of brothers to raise their level.