The USMNT are making progress under Mauricio Pochettino.
On Thursday, young star Ricardo Pepi scored the only goal of the game as the US beat Jamaica in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.
That was the team’s first competitive win with their new head coach – and their second since he took charge in September.
“The first step is done,” Pochettino said at full-time.
“I congratulate my players because, in a difficult situation, they competed really well. I am so pleased. Of course, we need to improve in all the areas.”
As the former Premier League manager noted, there is still plenty of work to do before the USMNT can compete with the strongest nations on the planet.
While the early signs are positive, fans would be smart to be cautious.
That’s the message from one former star, at least.
In a conversation with Tim Howard on his Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Landon Donovan detailed why the USMNT can’t quite match-up to the likes of Brazil and France right now.
“We expect, now, probably unrealistically what this roster should look like and how this team should play,” he began.
“If you objectively look at the roster, where our guys play and the kind of impact they’re having, you have to then be realistic about where this team is.
“When you look at France’s roster, or Brazil’s roster, or Spain’s roster, they have world-class players all over the field.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t compete with these teams, but let’s not go into these games saying we should be on par with them. No, we shouldn’t.
“We went to Mexico and got our a** kicked three weeks ago.”
Donovan went on to suggest that there is one area of the team that particularly worries him.
“Goalkeeping to me is a massive concern, we don’t have anybody consistently playing at a high level right now,” he continued.
“The midfield I think is the strongest part of our team, outside of Christian (Pulisic) in the attack, Tim Weah now is playing well.
“Hopefully that continues, but as always number nine is going to be a problem, and our depth is just a huge, huge problem.”
Donovan is right to exercise caution when it comes to the USMNT.
But with a bit of time, Pochettino as head coach – and a number of players beginning to establish themselves – they could be a factor on home soil at the World Cup in 2026.
