How can USMNT recover? What U.S. Soccer need to change before Canada match in Nations League third-place match

Now that we have all had some time to process the disappointing loss of the national team of the United States for Panama in Concacaf Nations League game, it is time to look for Sunday where the USMNT Canada will meet in third place. Takes place at 6 p.m. at Sofi Stadium on Paramount+ Jesse Marsch and Mauricio Pochettino Clash will see this competition, but instead of being in the Premier League, it will be on the international stage. Although both managers are preferred to have this meeting in the final of this competition, this does not mean that they will not be strict tests for each other.

The Canucks have been steadily improved under Marsch and with neither teams who participated in the World Cup that is eligible because they are host countries in 2026, they must be very useful games to use to build the team they want for the tournament. Games in third place can sometimes lose their meaning, but with the USMNT and Canada that build up a budding rivalry, this will not be one of these cases and it is also a time for the USMNT to show that the loss for Panama was more a blip that they can grow from, instead of continuing a disturbing trend.

If you look at Pochettin’s tactics for that loss, there are a few things he could change to change for the opposite Canada, so let’s take a look.

USMNT player reviews: Tyler Adams Solid; Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah not aggressively enough in Panama loss

Chuck Booth

More creativity in midfield

There are a few ways to do this, but to begin with, Weston McKennie cannot be the most creative midfielder on the field. The Juventus man can do many different things well, but he is not 10, even if he can offer sufficient defensive pressure from advanced positions in midfield. The game shouted for someone who could take a defender by dribbling and with Gio Reyna and Diego Luna in the team there were options available for Pochettino.

Although there is a chance that he still cannot start them in this match, if the USMNT will play against Canada, the Argentinian will have to have a quick hook. Christian Pulisic also needs more dribblers around him, so that teams cannot collapse without a striker that can create space for himself on the field. It all comes down to balance and with the fullbacks that were not made for the USMNT, it was out of attack and never went on.

Max Arfsten

Speaking of balance, an easy way to get something back, is with a rear four including players in their natural positions. Joe Scally was usually fine as a third in the middle or left, but Yunus Musah as a wing -back -like back left a lot to be desired on the creative front. It is not a knock for Musah, because that is not his game, but when USMNT systems have trusted fullbacks that push the pace, regardless of who the manager is, it would be good to make the fullbacks fullbacks and to trust that midfield can cover any mistakes as a result.

With Tyler Adams back, the USMNT has a lot of room for errors defending because with his consciousness on the field he has no problems adjusting and filling space when needed. There was an early series where Chris Richards lost the ball and in seconds Adams was there to make a defensive intervention to ensure that it did not get into a goal. Because it is guaranteed to be one of the best midfielders on the field in a Concacaf match, it is not necessary to approach a match in a conservative way, because teams have the feeling that they are still in the game, that is when goals such as the stunning winner of Panama can happen.

The USMNT must get out of the gate quickly and enforce mistakes of their opposition before they can settle in a competition. It is easy to forget how much land Adams can cover because of how long he has been in and out of injuries in recent years, but with him back and healthy, it is a good chance for the USMNT to use his strengths to improve the pace in attack.

Passion

Like many managers for him, Pochetitno has expressed the need for the players to play in front of the badge. From the stronger team that will not be afraid in tackles to take photos that are not of perfect positions, this is supposed to be one of the best teams in Concacaf and they have to play with a Swagger as they are. The trust of the USMNT took a hit after he had disappeared from Copa America and is struggling in recent competitions, but they have to regain that for a world cup on a home floor. Teams do not need extra motivation to play the USMNT, so they should not be afraid to protect their home stadiums and the badge on their shirt.

This is a problem that managers have just as good before Pochettino, so it is not a new problem that the USMNT has to do with, but it is one that they cannot afford to see the World Cup that comes closer by the day.