There may be a lot of unrest and uncertainty right now within the U.S. men’s national team, but you wouldn’t know it.The USMNT thrashed Haiti 6–0 in Miami in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Saturday, just one day after manager Mauricio Pochettino signed a new contract to take charge of Manchester United.The deal shocked the soccer world, coming just four months after Pochettino inked a
renewal with U.S.
Soccer through the 2030 World Cup, involving him in every major facet of the federation for what was supposed to be the long haul. The players themselves only received confirmation of Pochettino’s exit on Thursday; however, in the Argentine’s penultimate game on the touchline, they absolutely dazzled for him.
The overwhelming victory all but seals the team’s advancement to the Nations League finals in March, which requires an aggregate win across both legs of the series.
It also extends the USMNT’s win streak to five games, maintaining perfection in the post-World Cup era.Here are four takeaways from the USMNT’s emphatic victory.Christian Pulisic Makes Statement Return Upon Pulisic’s return to the USMNT, it was unclear the role he would play.In the September-October window without him, a team of budding young talents cruised to four straight victories, leaving him firmly in the
rearview.
The team’s success only compounded the distrust Americans had in Pulisic’s ability to be a true talisman—an utter lack of confidence in the No.
10 ignited by his lackluster World Cup display this summer.But a recent resurgence at club side AC Milan suggested that Pulisic might have a bit more magic up his sleeve, and what he performed on Saturday night was magic alright, at least in the second half.In the first half at Nu Stadium, the attacking load was very much shared.
Pulisic had flashes of creativity, a few terrifying drives into the final third, a couple moments of silky footwork, yet he was by no means the chief creator. He wasn’t the centerfold as he has so often been during his international career.That all changed in the second half. Taken down in the box, Pulisic earned a penalty kick in the 61st minute, which he blasted through the center of the net.
That finish was his first in competitive action for the USMNT in almost exactly two years, dating back to the 2024 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica on Nov. 18. It proved to be just the confidence boost he needed, finding the net again less than two minutes later on a line drive just outside the 18-yard box.
It was his first brace in red, white and blue in over three years, dating back to 2023 Concacaf Nations League semifinals against Mexico.Pulisic continued to stamp his authority all over the pitch, commanding the USMNT’s attacking motions until the final whistle and ending with a game-high nine touches in the opposition’s box.
He effectively silenced all doubters and proved that he is still the same “Captain America” that he always was.
Finally Some Answers on Defense A major personnel question has lingered in the wake of the retirement of USMNT captain Tim Ream: Who can partner Chris Richards on the backline?The stalwart center back needs an equally strong presence beside him to help command the defense, and on multiple occasions, even Ream proved he wasn’t up to the task.
It has left a glaring hole in the USMNT’s otherwise strong line, which is flanked by studs Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman.The team may finally have its answer: Auston Trusty.The 28-year-old Celtic star is playing the best soccer of his career and has demonstrated his potential as Richards’s partner this fall.
Not only is the 6'2" player as aerially gifted as Richards—which provides assurance against opponents committed to the long-ball game—but he is as commanding in possession and as confident in his defensive duties, evidenced by how he stifled the dangerous Wilson Isidor.To further compound his skillset, it was actually Trusty who opened the evening’s scoring, performing a flawless side volley to remind everyone of the
danger he presents in offensive set pieces.Trusty was included in Pochettino’s 26-man World Cup roster this summer but was perhaps pigeon-holed into a bench reinforcement role due to his versatility as both a fullback and center back.
He was also likely overshadowed by the veteran leadership Ream could provide. But in the perfect post-World Cup era, Richards and Trusty have now shared the center of the backline three times. They