Whats up there! Mauricio Pochettino’s first worldwide window in control of the U.S. males’s nationwide staff has formally come to an in depth, providing loads of meals for thought because the group continues their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. I am Pardeep Cattry with a USMNT-focused midweek replace.

📺 Footy repair

All instances U.S./Jap

Wednesday, Oct. 16
🇪🇺 UWCL: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Spain vs. USA, 4 p.m. ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: NJ/NY Gotham vs. Tigres, 8 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+

Thursday, Oct. 17
🇪🇺 UWCL: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Kenya vs. England, 7 p.m. ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: Monterrey vs. Alajuelense, 9 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+

⚽ The Ahead Line

🇺🇸 Mauricio Pochettino suffers first loss with USMNT

The U.S. males’s nationwide staff’s seven-game unbeaten run towards Mexico got here to an in depth on Tuesday after they misplaced 2-0 in an uninspiring efficiency in Guadalajara that gives reminders of the challenges that face Pochettino.

The Argentine made simply two modifications from the lineup that beat Panama three days earlier, together with a begin for Malik Tillman after Christian Pulisic departed camp to handle his minutes, however the sport towards Mexico performed out very in another way than Saturday’s win. The USMNT had the slight edge in possession on Tuesday however had been outshot 17-5, placing only one shot on track as they posed little attacking risk. Although they weren’t off to a robust begin to start with, Raul Jimenez’s Twenty second-minute objective to open the scoring appeared to empty all of the power out of the guests.

The USMNT’s lifeless assault was not helped by a considerably sloppy protection, the place Pochettino began Miles Robinson after Mark McKenzie picked up an harm throughout warmups. Mexico’s second objective uncovered the strengths and weaknesses of the USA’s backline – the play began with Tim Ream’s glorious restoration to dispossess Jimenez however the USMNT captain instantly performed the ball proper again to him, setting the Mexico worldwide as much as help Cesar Huerta within the forty ninth minute.

The efficiency makes Pochettino’s first worldwide window a captivating double act that showcased each the USMNT’s potential and current realities. Whereas the win towards Panama allowed the staff to show the brand new attack-minded concepts launched by Pochettino, the loss to Mexico reignites dialog concerning the USMNT’s depth. Along with Pulisic, 4 gamers – together with Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi – had been despatched again to their golf equipment with minor accidents, whereas others like Folarin Balogun and Timothy Weah missed out on all the camp with accidents of their very own.

Whereas substitutes Tanner Tessman, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas supplied some positivity towards Mexico, few gamers on the USMNT’s bubble stepped as much as the plate within the absence of extra established gamers. Tillman and Brenden Aaronson did little to impress in assault, whereas Josh Sargent was entrusted with two begins in Balogun’s absence however took simply two photographs in 130 minutes of play.

An adjustment interval, although, comes as little shock – the gamers are working with new workers and new strategies, whereas Pochettino is coupling that together with his first-ever job as a nationwide staff coach. The one similarity between each video games is that the USMNT, expectedly, didn’t appear to be the completed product, and so these video games will act as a basis for the subsequent 20 months of labor somewhat than a last evaluation of the undertaking.

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🔗  Midfield Hyperlink Play

🏆 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals set

The U.S. males’s nationwide staff will face Jamaica within the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals subsequent month, which can be a reasonably stiff take a look at for Mauricio Pochettino in his first aggressive matches as the brand new head coach.

The USMNT landed in probably the most aggressive tie of the quarterfinals after Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, which put them in third place within the Concacaf rankings. First-place Mexico, in the meantime, will face Honduras and second-place Canada will tackle Suriname, with Panama’s conflict with Costa Rica finishing the fixture checklist. The U.S. will journey to Jamaica on Nov. 14 for the primary leg earlier than welcoming the aspect at St. Louis’ CityPark on Nov. 18, with a spot in March’s semifinals at SoFi Stadium on the road.

Pochettino’s aspect can be favored on this tie however subsequent month’s video games will function an important litmus take a look at for the staff’s progress in current months. November’s quarterfinal can be a rematch of types of final March’s semifinal when the USMNT went down within the first minute and wanted a stoppage-time personal objective to mount a comeback earlier than profitable the final version of the Nations League. It was arguably the primary of a number of uninspiring performances that got here to outline the USMNT in 2024 earlier than Pochettino’s rent, so reversing course can be anticipated below the brand new supervisor. The quarterfinals, although, would possibly come too early in Pochettino’s tenure to function a defining instance of the staff’s new look below the Argentine, that means subsequent month’s fixtures include layers of intrigue because the U.S. works their technique to the 2026 World Cup.

At stake sooner somewhat than later, although, would be the USMNT’s standing as a regional heavyweight. They’re nonetheless the one Concacaf Nations League champions, however a bunch stage exit at this yr’s Copa America coupled with Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, means the title of kings of Concacaf is up for grabs. Canada little question has their eyes set on the Nations League title after new head coach Jesse Marsch impressively led them to the Copa America semifinals, whereas Mexico’s win on Tuesday gives a brand new injection of optimism after a dismal 2024.

The excessive stakes for the USMNT mirror one other problem of Pochettino’s job. He has a reasonably quick window of time to enhance the staff in time for a statement-making exhibiting on the 2026 World Cup, step one of which might be for the U.S. to reassert themselves as the most effective within the area. Failing to win the Concacaf Nations League wouldn’t essentially be a disaster for Pochettino’s USMNT, although it’s crucial to show the U.S. can deal with regional duties earlier than they’ll embark on their formidable mission of breaking into the highest echelons of the worldwide sport.

🔗  Prime Tales

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tuchel to England: England employed Thomas Tuchel to cause them to the 2026 World Cup, making him a really certified rent that additionally highlights the nation’s struggles to develop English managers.

🩹 Balogun harm: The USMNT’s Folarin Balogun will reportedly be out for 2 months after dislocating his shoulder.

🗞️ Mbappe denial: Kylian Mbappe’s representatives issued a denial after experiences in Sweden alleged his involvement in a rape investigation in Stockholm.

🆕 Boston’s NWSL staff named: The NWSL’s Boston-based franchise can be referred to as BOS Nation Soccer Membership, unveiling the primary a part of their id earlier than their first season in 2026.

🔢 NWSL Energy Rankings: The Portland Thorns and Utah Royals made large positive aspects within the newest batch of the NWSL Energy Rankings because the playoff push continues.

🇫🇷 France’s depth: France showcased its potential with out Mbappe and Antonie Griezmann in a 2-1 win over Belgium on Monday, progressing properly with the 2026 World Cup now of their sights.

🇨🇴 James Rodriguez shines: With an help in Colombia’s 4-0 win over Chile on Tuesday and on the again of profitable the Copa America Golden Ball, is James Rodriguez the most effective participant in South America proper now?

❌ Fergie’s function reduce: Manchester United minority homeowners INEOS will scrap Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial function on the finish of the season as a part of a cost-cutting mission on the membership.

🗣️ Dest on Xavi: The USMNT’s Sergino Dest mentioned ex-Barcelona supervisor Xavi was not “trustworthy” with him concerning the measurement of his function throughout his stint with the membership.

💰  The Again Line

💵 Finest bets

• UEFA Girls’s Champions League: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, Wednesday, 3 p.m.
  💰 THE PICK: Beneath 4.5 objectives scored (+114) – After a shock loss to Manchester Metropolis to open the group stage, reigning European champions Barcelona will goal a convincing win to get issues again on monitor. Count on a lopsided win for the hosts, who can be desperate to show their dominance and maybe work their objective differential with prime spot in Group D nonetheless very a lot in play.
• UEFA Girls’s Champions League: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, Thursday, 3 p.m.
  💰 THE PICK: Beneath 2.5 objectives (+141) – Lyon are naturally the favorites on this one and should come out of this one with one other three factors, however Wolfsburg can be decided to get a degree out of this sport after shedding their group stage opener. The hosts’ dedication could be sufficient to maintain issues tight, even when the guests come out on prime.

For extra picks, predictions, knowledgeable suggestions and the most recent betting information, do not miss out on CBSSports.com’s betting residence web page.   

📺 What’s on CBS Sports activities Golazo Community

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⚽ Name it What You Need (Monday night time): A weekly podcast the place Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and mates cowl all issues USMNT and the state of the attractive sport in america. You may also catch the present streaming stay on YouTube each Monday at 11 a.m. ET.

🥅 Scoreline (Day by day): Scoreline is the latest place for followers to make amends for all the most important information and outcomes impacting world soccer, match highlights from the highest soccer competitions and all of the can’t-miss objectives from the day’s motion, beginning Thursday and airing seven days per week.

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