The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) suffered another setback, falling 2-0 to South Korea in a friendly match at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. This marks the team's sixth loss in their last eight games against top-25 ranked teams since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The defeat raises concerns about the team's form as the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in part on American soil, draws closer.
The match saw South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world, dominate the USMNT. Son Heung-min, who plays forward for LAFC, proved to be a constant threat, scoring the opening goal in the 18th minute and assisting on Lee Dong-gyeong's goal in the 43rd minute. The USMNT struggled to contain the South Korean attack, and their own offensive efforts lacked sharpness.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino made some changes to the starting lineup, giving Tristan Blackmon his international debut and reintroducing Sergiño Dest after a period of injury. However, the defense looked shaky, particularly in the first half, as South Korea repeatedly breached the backline. While veteran Tim Ream put in a solid performance, Blackmon and Dest appeared overwhelmed by the South Korean attacks.
In the second half, Pochettino made substitutions, bringing on players like Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards, and switched to a three-man defensive formation. The USMNT showed some signs of improvement, pressing higher up the pitch and creating a few opportunities. Richards nearly scored from a set-piece, and Balogun was denied twice in stoppage time by South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo. However, these efforts proved insufficient to overcome the deficit.
The loss to South Korea highlights the USMNT's struggles against top-ranked opponents. The team has now lost five consecutive matches against FIFA top-25 teams, during which they have been outscored 11-1. Their last victory against a team of that caliber came at the 2022 World Cup against Iran.
The USMNT's recent form has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. While the team is automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the host nations, their performance against top-tier teams suggests that they may struggle to make a deep run in the tournament. Some observers have pointed out that the team also struggled ahead of the 2022 World Cup but still managed to reach the round of 16. However, with the World Cup being held on home soil, expectations are higher this time around.
Pochettino faces increasing pressure to turn things around. While he has experimented with different lineups and formations, the team has yet to find a consistent winning formula. With limited time left before the World Cup, Pochettino needs to find a way to improve the team's performance and build momentum. The USMNT will face another tough test against Japan in their next friendly match. They will also have further opportunities to fine-tune their squad in October friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay.
