Mauricio’s Pochettino USA tenure hit a new low on Tuesday night as the men’s national team were trounced 4-0 at home by Switzerland.
Dating back to March, the Argentine’s group have now lost four matches in a row, with defeats also coming against Panama, Canada and Turkey.
But the latest loss at Nashville’s Geodis Park was historically bad for the USMNT, who will now enter the Gold Cup with a severe lack of momentum after conceding four first-half goals to the Swiss.
According to Opta, it was the first time ever that Switzerland led an away match by four goals at halftime.
All four strikes came in a 23-minute flurry, with Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi getting on the scoresheet.
Boos rang out in the arena as Switzerland piled on the goals, and Pochettino afterwards told reporters that ‘we were never in the game.’
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT have now lost four consecutive matches after Tuesday’s defeat
Sebastian Berhalter – the son of ex-manager Gregg – made his debut against Switzerland
The loss came as Christian Pulisic said his break from the game was ‘what the doctor ordered’
‘We played with many players who made their debut, or a young team. We need to take the pressure off them, we are here to help,’ he said.
Nathan Harriel, Quinn Sullivan and Paxten Aaronson made just their second appearances for the national team, while Sebastian Berhalter – the son of former manager Gregg – made his debut.
Other more experienced names like Matt Turner, Walker Zimmerman and Brenden Aaronson were in the lineup, though captain Tyler Adams missed out through injury.
Of course, the absence of Christian Pulisic – who is skipping this summer’s Gold Cup – continues to loom large.
During FOX’s coverage of the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain USA legend Landon Donovan appeared to take aim at 26-year-old Pulisic, saying: ‘This is what it means to represent your country.
‘And if you don’t want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in.
USA midfielder Johnny Cardoso (15) moves the ball past Switzerland midfielder Ardon Jashari
‘This is what it means. He’s [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a*s season, he’s tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process.
‘And I can’t help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p***ing me off.’
That led to Christian’s father, Mark Pulisic, telling Donovan to ‘grow a pair’ on social media and bringing up Donovan’s own sabbatical from the national team during his career.
Pulisic seemed unconcerned with the criticism on Tuesday as he posted some photos of him hanging with family and friends with the caption: ‘Just what the doctor ordered.’
The attacking midfielder has been an ever-present in the lineup for AC Milan since joining the Italian giants two summers ago, as he’s appeared in 50 matches in all competitions in two seasons running.
The USA will begin their Gold Cup campaign without their talisman on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago, before rounding out the group stage against Saudi Arabia and Haiti.
