GOAL US writers debate the importance of the Gold Cup, whether Pulisic should rest or play, and who should be in goal
So, now the CONCACAF Gold Cup matters? Ask USMNT fans just a few months ago about this tournament – which has expanded to feature 16 teams – and it would have been a foregone conclusion that the host side would steamroll through the field. But now things are different.
For one, the USMNT are unexpectedly struggling. A CONCACAF Nations League semifinal loss to Panama, and subsequent loss to Canada in the third-place match, brought a dose of reality to Mauricio Pochettino's squad. And it's not like that can be fixed immediately.
In the modern-day Gold Cup, the U.S. are the second most successful team, only trailing Mexico in terms of titles with seven to El Tri's nine. They have qualified for every edition of the competition since 1991, and were named champions as recent as 2021.
This competition hasn't typically been one for bringing out star names. Instead, it's been a nice warmup tournament, a chance for fringe players to try to break into the senior setup. Will that be the case this summer, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon? Will Christian Pulisic get his summer off? Should Tim Ream's weary legs be protected? Will this be another MLS-heavy lineup for the USMNT?
Jesse Marsch has promised that his Canada team will look to call up everyone, so Pochettino's hand might be forced. Based on the draw, Canada have a clear path to the final, but the USMNT face a tricky road. And with limited windows for competitive matches ahead of the World Cup, the Gold Cup could now become a crucial part of the U.S. soccer landscape.
GOAL US writers break down that and more in a Gold Cup edition of … The Rondo.
AFP How important is the Gold Cup 2025?
Tom Hindle: It still feels a tier below the Copa America, maybe even the Nations League. But after the USMNT's performance – or lack thereof – against Panama and Canada last month, the Gold Cup is a little more important than it really should be otherwise. What is usually a bunch of backups could be a spot for the bigger names to fine tune. There will probably also be a lot of very unhappy Americans if the U.S. don't win this thing.
Jacob Schneider: This edition in particular is serving as an important window for CONCACAF nations simply because it's final preparation for the 2026 World Cup. However, the competition as a whole is definitely losing its luster. If the World Cup weren't next year, you'd see B-teams present.
Ryan Tolmich: It was always going to be important. With so few competitive games on the schedule for the USMNT, every single one matters, particularly as Pochettino learns more about the team at his disposal. He's never really had a full-strength USMNT group together since his arrival – and won't have some players who will be playing simultaneously in the Club World Cup – but the hope is that, if the injury situation cooperates, he can get something close to it this summer to really begin the road to 2026.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportDoes Pochettino need to select a full-strength team?
TH: Probably, or as close as possible. It's entirely likely that Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson will want to take the summer off, but they might be needed for their country. And with Tim Weah and Weston McKennie probably both out because of the Club World Cup – and Gio Reyna questionable – the USMNT could be without six starters. Is that a risk the manager wants to take? Not so sure.
JS: It's tough. There's still 10-12 fringe players fighting for a roster spot in 2026, and they need to play in matches where Poch can see them, right? So the Gold Cup really presents that opportunity. But at the same time, it's easy to argue after the March Nations League showing, the senior team needs to play full-strength to continue to get better.
RT: Yes, absolutely. With so few international breaks remaining and so much goodwill left to rebuild after the Nations League disappointment, the USMNT really needs to go for it. There will be some absences, yes, but it'll be so important for this team to go out and show that it can win games that actually matter. A bad run this summer will set off more alarm bells. The U.S. really needs to lean on a full-strength team to get some momentum.
Getty Images SportWhich USMNT player deserves a bigger opportunity?
TH: There will be calls for Haji Wright's inclusion, but not quite sure I see it with him yet. Coventry are a mid-table Championship team, and the USMNT should have bigger aspirations. He's third-string when everyone is fit. One of the real issues for the U.S. going forward is center-back. Tim Ream and Chris Richards are the starting pair, but there's room for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, or even Miles Robinson to make their case. Throw one of those three in and see what happens.
JS: Diego Luna is the easy and forward-facing answer. However, this will be a big summer for Wright. Could he be the left wing that plays opposite of Pulisic and be the solution to creativity/hold-up play in the final third?
RT: Due to injury issues, we haven't gotten to see either Caleb Wiley or Kevin Paredes at this level. And after Robinson's injury absence for the Nations League, the U.S. could really use both. This team desperately needs a backup left-back who can bring some of the attacking width that Robinson does, and both Paredes and Wiley can do exactly that. Hopefully, both can get and stay fit for summer and earn a look either as a left-back or as a left-sided supersub.
Getty ImagesWho should start in goal for the USMNT?
TH: Anyone but Matt Turner. Jacob Schneider before Matt Turner.
JS: It's still Turner if the option is either him or Zack Steffen. However, Patrick Schulte and the Columbus Crew are unbeaten through eight MLS Matchdays. He deserves every opportunity to compete for the No. 1 spot this summer. And there's even speculation that Diego Kochen could compete, too – though that seems like a stretch for a player not even playing at the senior level.
RT: Until further notice, it's Turner. There just isn't anyone with a better resume or case to challenge him at the moment, which makes this more a reflection on the pool than a real stamp of approval for Turner. He'll need to go out and make a club move this summer, and it'll have to be a good one. But at the moment, he still has a leg up on the others in this player pool.