The United States men’s national team completed a perfect international window with a 1-0 win over Canada, and the absence of Christian Pulisic was barely noticeable. The team, guided by manager Mauricio Pochettino, reeled off four straight victories, including wins over Peru, Chile, and Mexico, without their long-time star.
Youth movement takes center stage
In the first camp after the World Cup, Pochettino called in 13 debutants and eight teenagers, a decision that raised eyebrows given that most of the core squad remains under 30. The young players, mixed with a robust veteran base, delivered results that vindicated the move.
Among the emerging talents are Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Zavier Gozo, Justin Ellis, and Mathis Albert, but no single player was asked to carry the team. Instead, the burden was shared across the squad.
A shift from the savior complex
Historically, the USMNT has been defined by reliance on a singular star, from Landon Donovan to Clint Dempsey to Pulisic. Pulisic’s home World Cup was a disappointment, and his absence in this window went unnoticed as the team played with composure and polish.
Weston McKennie also stayed with his Italian club, Juventus, to recover from injury, yet the team thrived without him. This new depth suggests the program may be entering a post-savior era, a sign of progress for US soccer.
