The USMNT’s roller coaster 2024 was marked by highs and lows that shaped their journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As players gather for the annual January camp in early 2025, the anticipation builds for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, just a year away.
Before focusing on the upcoming year, it’s essential to reflect on the tumultuous 12 months that preceded it. The Americans experienced a year filled with drama, clinching another title against their fiercest rival, stumbling in a major tournament at home, parting ways with their longtime coach, and ultimately bringing in one of the world’s top managers. How did the U.S. navigate this turbulent landscape?
Let’s break it down.
An ominous start
The year did not begin favorably for the USMNT, as their friendly match against Slovenia in San Antonio ended in disappointment. The first significant indication of challenges ahead surfaced in March when Christian Pulisic and a full-strength squad arrived in Dallas to defend their Concacaf Nations League titles from 2021 and 2023.
Facing a weakened Jamaican team in the semifinals at AT&T Stadium, the Americans were stunned when Jamaica took an early lead. The score remained until the dying moments of the match, when a Jamaican own goal salvaged a draw for the U.S. Haji Wright’s two goals in extra time secured a 3-1 victory, setting up a final against Mexico. However, this match foreshadowed the difficulties that lay ahead.
A brief Nations League salvation
Despite facing a crowd of nearly 60,000 fans, predominantly cheering for Mexico, the U.S. showcased their dominance in the final, achieving a historic dos-a-cero victory and securing their third consecutive Nations League title. Tyler Adams, returning from injury, opened the scoring with a stunning long-range goal just before halftime.
Gio Reyna added to the tally in the second half, and afterward, Adams defended Berhalter against critics, while Reyna expressed that their past disputes were firmly behind them. As the team celebrated in the rainy Texas night, spirits were high, and the earlier performance against Jamaica seemed like a mere fluke. Little did they know, this victory would mark the pinnacle of their year.
Another blinking red warning sign
While the Nations League triumph was uplifting, the focus for 2024 was clearly on the Copa América, South America’s premier tournament featuring six Concacaf teams. The matches would take place in packed NFL stadiums across the U.S.
Before the tournament, the U.S. Soccer Federation arranged two warm-up matches against Colombia and Brazil. The encounter with Colombia ended in a devastating 5-1 defeat, marking the largest loss during Berhalter’s tenure.
Catastrophe at the Copa América
The U.S. began the Copa América with a solid 2-0 victory over Bolivia, setting the stage for advancement. However, a crucial match against Panama turned disastrous when an early red card for Timothy Weah left the Americans with ten players for most of the game, resulting in a 2-1 loss. In their final group match against Uruguay, the U.S. failed to score and lost 1-0, leading to Berhalter’s dismissal just ten days later.
The Mauricio Pochettino era begins
With the World Cup approaching in less than two years, U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker aimed to recruit a high-caliber coach. He succeeded by hiring Mauricio Pochettino, the respected Argentine coach known for his success with elite clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
Pochettino secured a 2-0 victory in his first match against Panama. Although the subsequent loss to Mexico was disappointing, the team showed signs of improvement. In November, the USMNT achieved victories over Jamaica, securing their place in the 2025 Nations League semifinals and concluding a tumultuous 2024 on a positive note.
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