USMNT
The Point of a Point
After Michael Bradley’s gorgeous stunner of a goal to take the lead against Mexico, Bobby Wood whiffed on a goal scorer’s opportunity and Ochoa scooped up the ball and the counter broke through and scored a goal on the loan targeted shot from Mexico. Most of the rest of the game felt like Mexico was pressing us as they dominated possession and had what felt like more dangerous opportunities compared, aside from Bradley hitting the wood work, Pulisic’s shot that he’ll want back and Gonzalez putting two headers off target that surely had him struggling to fall asleep that night.
Jubilation reigned across social media and in the locker room after the game in what truly was a useful point, but honestly wasn’t what many would consider a win for team USA. It kept us in third place and only two points ahead of Panama who had a game last night that could have pushed us right back into fourth. Many people ask the important and frustrating question, why are so many US fans happy about a tie and treating it like it was a win?
Let’s start with the history, in 18 trips to Azteca the US have come away with a total of three points ever in competitive play. Once in 1998 and now twice in a row, qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and again this week qualifying for 2018’s Cup. This is significant for a few reasons, as the US continues to try to establish themselves as co-owners of the CONCACAF region alongside Mexico, who have historically been considered alone at the top of the region. It’s also significant this year because they gave away three points to Mexico at home in this qualification cycle, gaining a point back was crucial psychologically especially against our rival. It was huge for Captain Michael Bradley to score a beautiful goal and win over fans who have questions his role on the team with several lackluster performances in the last cycle. It was great to see a strategy by coach Bruce Arena, who’s rehire was honestly met with hesitation if not disappointment that we’d be going back to “old” boring American soccer. The jury is still out on both of those men, but this game was important to reestablish some excitement about the state of the team. Bruce had a plan, a lineup that had plenty of new faces and a formation we hadn’t seen before. It brought back memories of Klinsmann lineups that were throw together at the last minute and everyone looked out of place, many eyebrows were raised when the lineup was announced. However, it worked, maybe not to perfection, but a point on the road, especially this difficult road helps.
That point was further helped when Honduras came through with two goals against Panama, Panama needed a late goal to secure a point of their own in front of their home crowd. This leaves the table looking like this:
USA with that point in Mexico move now to a position where a win against Costa Rica on September 1 at home becomes one that could vault them into second place. It’s unlikely they’ll catch Mexico at this point, but if they do slip up at any point against a weaker opponent, which they have been guilty of doing and the US can capture more road points possibly three from either away at T&T or away at Honduras (the two weakest teams in qualifications) they could take the region. That game in September is crucial and there is still work to be done in all four games, but with two home games and two road games against the two weakest teams, things look much better than they did to begin 2017.
Was the point great and the US had a dominant performance? Absolutely not.
Would it have been great if any of the three mentioned shots went in and the USMNT had won the game? Absolutely.
Couldn’t they have dominated the game and attacked a little more or taken possession? Sure.
Do we wish Pulisic had taken over the game and scored 9 goals? Of course we do!
Are we lucky that Mexico blew opportunities and were missing key pieces of their lineup? Yes, but so were we on two days rest.
I understand the frustration, especially from new fans, but also understand the point helped a lot in the march to qualification. It was a confidence boost to a few key individuals especially our Captain in a critical warm up game to World Cup 2018 and our coach Arena. It gave some of the younger players including Pulisic, Paul Arriola and Bobby Wood some of their first tastes of playing at Azteca in a US jersey to become part of the rivalry which they will surely face again in future Cup pursuits. The point may have future implications on the standings, but the psychological boost will no question be a part of this team moving forward. Understanding that impact might change the way you look at the excitement you see on the team’s faces and both fans and players comments after the game.
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Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.
The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.
It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?
The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.
The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60
Gold Cup Player Stats
Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.
Goals
18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira
Assists
16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey
Wins
17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner
Shutouts
14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner
Captain
10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna
Gold Cup Manager Stats
Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.
Matches Coached
25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan
Matches Won
19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4
Gold Cup Trophies
3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic
Conclusion
In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.
Club News
From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica
The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017. One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back. Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup. Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team. Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025. Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup. Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.
Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup. The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder. Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.
How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica? To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023.
Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed. On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.
Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2. Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury. What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches. The following season went according to plan for Wynder. Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches. He also scored four goals, all headers from corners.
His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media. That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense. Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match. He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.
As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage. The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team. A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season. That day may be coming sooner rather than later. Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign. This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season. If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.
Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors. Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th. Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC. Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica
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