A favorable opponent and fine run of form hands U.S. an opportunity to compete for a trophy that once seemed out reach
There's a famous story about a team talk Sir Alex Ferguson gave to Manchester United ahead of a home fixture against Tottenham. The Red Devils' dressing room was riled up. They knew that they were heavy favorites against the-then mid-table side. They needed calming. Ferguson's team talk was three words:
"Lads, it's Tottenham."
That anecdote, recounted by Roy Keane, has since become a meme. Spurs fans, no doubt, have been bludgeoned with it over the years. But it's also a universal language, an appropriate aphorism when a team is facing an opponent they really should beat. And as the USMNT face up against their Gold Cup semifinal opponent on Wednesday in St. Louis, a similar sentiment comes to mind:
"Lads, it's Guatemala."
It, of course, said with no disrespect to the Central American side. They were deserved quarterfinal winners over tournament co-favorite Canada, which sustained a self-inflected wound by going down to 10 men to a team that would always be up for a fight. Still, this feels like a must win for the U.S., a gift from the soccer gods that presents them with an opportunity to reach a Gold Cup final that – just a few weeks ago – they were considered outsiders for.
Getty/GOALAn unlikely run
This is a remarkable set of circumstances. Just a few weeks ago, the vibes were terrible. Christian Pulisic's decision not to play for the USMNT this summer sent shockwaves through the sphere of angry talking heads. He responded to the critics with an interview that only prompted more mud slinging. The US got battered by two decent European teams in pre-Gold Cup friendlies.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were regarded as either the third or fourth most likely team to win the tournament – depending on how much respect you prefer to give to Panama – behind Mexico and Canada.
There were various streams of thought floating around in the footballing ether. Some argued that this whole thing was a free hit – such was the relative weakness of the U.S. squad. Others reckoned that the USMNT have to win the Gold Cup, because it's what they do. Outside of that, there was a general apathy. These are a load of third stringers, who the hell actually ?
Flash forward, and the kids – and backups – are alright. The U.S. made light work of the group stage, ground out a gutsy 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, and valiantly turned things around after almost chucking it all away by beating Costa Rica on penalties in the semifinals.
Pochettino talked a lot about "character" – whatever that means. Former USMNT players and current soccer analysts Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas praised the effort, which doesn't mean much, either. Point is, the USMNT are back, baby. Bring on the one liners, the zingers, soundbites and buzzwords that the national team discussion thrives off.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe actual football
Of course, there is also quite a lot to like about the U.S. as an actual football team at the moment. This side wouldn't compete in, say, a World Cup if it were in 12 months. But for this genre of football, they're quite good.
Chris Richards has come on leaps and bounds, and looks like a top-tier center-back. Tyler Adams is a wonderful No. 6. Malik Tillman is finding his feet at the national team level (and seems bound for Bayer Leverkusen). Diego Luna endeared himself to the manager after playing through a broken nose in January, and has further impressed with a series of exciting performances as a dyanmic attacking midfielder.
Yes, there are question marks – Max Arfsten is committing a remarkable act of playing both for and against the USMNT – but the overall point is that this is a much better side than many thought it might be.
The results have been positive. The group stage wins were relatively comfortable. The Costa Rica victory was by no means simple, but the U.S. played well enough over the course of 90 minutes – and showed enough in penalties, with goalkeeper Matt Freese making three saves – to say that they deserved the victory.
They are not at the level of, say, Mexico. But they are good value for where they are – and really should add another win.
Getty ImagesPochettino and public opinion
This is a real lifeline for Pochettino. His position was never in jeopardy, no matter what happened here. But public favor has been uncertain. Pochettino hasn't quite endeared himself to this fan base in totality. Comments about Weston McKennie and Tim Weah's visit to the White House – which implied that the coach wanted to be in their position – didn't go down well on social media.
The Argentine had a bit of a public spat with Pulisic, who had little trouble pinning the blame the fact that he didn't play in the pre-tournament friendlies on his manager. And don't forget, the USMNT had lost four straight home matches entering the Gold Cup, which hadn't happened since 1988. And in the process, Pochettino became the first USMNT coach to lose five of his first 10 games since Lothar Osiander from 1986-88.
But now, opinion is turning. It starts with, you know, winning. And the USMNT has done plenty of that. That's the thing about sports: whatever off-field controversy may be circling a team or individual, winning cures all. Get the results, and fans tend to forget about whatever they were mad about pretty quickly. So, too, does the general vibe. Pochettino celebrating the penalty win against Costa Rica – and screaming "VAMOS" into a camera – went down well among the fans. "Look, this guy CARES!"
Another win would only further the pro-Pochettino campaign. And the opponent, in all honesty, couldn't be kinder. Of the four Gold Cup semi-finalists, Guatemala are the lowest ranked. Their recent resume includes a 3-0 loss to Jamaica and 3-2 defeat to Guyana.
AFPLads, it's the USMNT
But then, there's the flip side. For all of the chatter about how the U.S. have enjoyed a good tournament, there remains the sense that they have a soft underbelly. This team can be hit, rattled and beaten. Their record against teams that sit in deep and attack on the break is woeful. This is the issue with Pochettino's system: he likes to attack, but defensive vulnerabilities persist.
Guatemala aren't low block merchants in the traditional sense, but they do love to defend. They have been out-possessed and outshot in three of their four Gold Cup games to date. There is a real directness about their play. And after beating Canada on penalties, they, too, are on the good vibes train.
They also have a bit of cutting edge up front. Striker Rubio Rubin made seven appearances for the USMNT from 2014-2018 before using his one-time switch to represent Guatemala. He scored a crucial equalizing goal against Canada, and has spoken of his desire to put in a good performance for his adopted nation.
"This tournament is a great opportunity to show what we can do. When the Guatemalan national team plays, it's a big deal. All the TVs are on, everyone is watching," he told .
Charleston Battery manager Ben Pirmann, who signed Rubin from Mexican side Queretaro, backed him for success against the U.S.
"Rubio and Guatemala have had an incredible tournament at the Gold Cup," he told GOAL via email. "Although I am American and a strong supporter of our national team, it is difficult not to jump on the bandwagon for Guatemala. They have played inspiring football for their nation and each other, and Rubio has been a massive part of that effort."
A weakened USMNT? A Guatemala led by a former U.S. national, who plays in the USL? The scriptwriters might already be hard at work.
