Howdy there! Mauricio Pochettino’s first worldwide window answerable for the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce has formally come to an in depth, providing loads of meals for thought because the group continues their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. I am Pardeep Cattry with a USMNT-focused midweek replace.

📺 Footy repair

All occasions U.S./Jap

Wednesday, Oct. 16
🇪🇺 UWCL: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Spain vs. USA, 4 p.m. ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: NJ/NY Gotham vs. Tigres, 8 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+

Thursday, Oct. 17
🇪🇺 UWCL: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 U-17 WWC: Kenya vs. England, 7 p.m. ➡️ FS2
🌎 Concacaf W Champions Cup: Monterrey vs. Alajuelense, 9 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+

⚽ The Ahead Line

🇺🇸 Mauricio Pochettino suffers first loss with USMNT

The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce’s seven-game unbeaten run in opposition to Mexico got here to an in depth on Tuesday once they misplaced 2-0 in an uninspiring efficiency in Guadalajara that gives reminders of the challenges that face Pochettino.

The Argentine made simply two adjustments from the lineup that beat Panama three days earlier, together with a begin for Malik Tillman after Christian Pulisic departed camp to handle his minutes, however the sport in opposition to Mexico performed out very in a different way than Saturday’s win. The USMNT had the slight edge in possession on Tuesday however have been outshot 17-5, placing only one shot heading in the right direction as they posed little attacking risk. Although they weren’t off to a powerful begin to start with, Raul Jimenez’s Twenty second-minute purpose to open the scoring appeared to empty all of the power out of the guests.

The USMNT’s lifeless assault was not helped by a considerably sloppy protection, the place Pochettino began Miles Robinson after Mark McKenzie picked up an damage throughout warmups. Mexico’s second purpose uncovered the strengths and weaknesses of the USA’s backline – the play began with Tim Ream’s glorious restoration to dispossess Jimenez however the USMNT captain instantly performed the ball proper again to him, setting the Mexico worldwide as much as help Cesar Huerta within the forty ninth minute.

The efficiency makes Pochettino’s first worldwide window a captivating double act that showcased each the USMNT’s potential and current realities. Whereas the win in opposition to Panama allowed the workforce to show the brand new attack-minded concepts launched by Pochettino, the loss to Mexico reignites dialog concerning the USMNT’s depth. Along with Pulisic, 4 gamers – together with Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi – have been despatched again to their golf equipment with minor accidents, whereas others like Folarin Balogun and Timothy Weah missed out on your entire camp with accidents of their very own.

Whereas substitutes Tanner Tessman, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas supplied some positivity in opposition to Mexico, few gamers on the USMNT’s bubble stepped as much as the plate within the absence of extra established gamers. Tillman and Brenden Aaronson did little to impress in assault, whereas Josh Sargent was entrusted with two begins in Balogun’s absence however took simply two photographs in 130 minutes of play.

An adjustment interval, although, comes as little shock – the gamers are working with new employees and new strategies, whereas Pochettino is coupling that together with his first-ever job as a nationwide workforce coach. The one similarity between each video games is that the USMNT, expectedly, didn’t seem like the completed product, and so these video games will act as a basis for the subsequent 20 months of labor fairly than a remaining evaluation of the challenge.

Sponsored by Paramount+

🔗  Midfield Hyperlink Play

🏆 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals set

The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce will face Jamaica within the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals subsequent month, which will likely be a reasonably stiff check for Mauricio Pochettino in his first aggressive matches as the brand new head coach.

The USMNT landed in essentially the most aggressive tie of the quarterfinals after Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, which put them in third place within the Concacaf rankings. First-place Mexico, in the meantime, will face Honduras and second-place Canada will tackle Suriname, with Panama’s conflict with Costa Rica finishing the fixture record. The U.S. will journey to Jamaica on Nov. 14 for the primary leg earlier than welcoming the facet at St. Louis’ CityPark on Nov. 18, with a spot in March’s semifinals at SoFi Stadium on the road.

Pochettino’s facet will likely be favored on this tie however subsequent month’s video games will function a vital litmus check for the workforce’s progress in current months. November’s quarterfinal will likely be a rematch of types of final March’s semifinal when the USMNT went down within the first minute and wanted a stoppage-time personal purpose to mount a comeback earlier than successful the final version of the Nations League. It was arguably the primary of a number of uninspiring performances that got here to outline the USMNT in 2024 earlier than Pochettino’s rent, so reversing course will likely be anticipated below the brand new supervisor. The quarterfinals, although, would possibly come too early in Pochettino’s tenure to function a defining instance of the workforce’s new look below the Argentine, that means subsequent month’s fixtures include layers of intrigue because the U.S. works their option to the 2026 World Cup.

At stake sooner fairly than later, although, would be the USMNT’s standing as a regional heavyweight. They’re nonetheless the one Concacaf Nations League champions, however a bunch stage exit at this yr’s Copa America coupled with Tuesday’s loss to Mexico, means the title of kings of Concacaf is up for grabs. Canada little doubt has their eyes set on the Nations League title after new head coach Jesse Marsch impressively led them to the Copa America semifinals, whereas Mexico’s win on Tuesday gives a brand new injection of optimism after a dismal 2024.

The excessive stakes for the USMNT replicate one other problem of Pochettino’s process. He has a reasonably brief window of time to enhance the workforce in time for a statement-making exhibiting on the 2026 World Cup, step one of which might be for the U.S. to reassert themselves as one of the best within the area. Failing to win the Concacaf Nations League wouldn’t essentially be a disaster for Pochettino’s USMNT, although it’s crucial to show the U.S. can deal with regional duties earlier than they will embark on their bold mission of breaking into the highest echelons of the worldwide sport.

🔗  Prime Tales

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tuchel to England: England employed Thomas Tuchel to cause them to the 2026 World Cup, making him a really certified rent that additionally highlights the nation’s struggles to develop English managers.

🩹 Balogun damage: The USMNT’s Folarin Balogun will reportedly be out for 2 months after dislocating his shoulder.

🗞️ Mbappe denial: Kylian Mbappe’s representatives issued a denial after reviews in Sweden alleged his involvement in a rape investigation in Stockholm.

🆕 Boston’s NWSL workforce named: The NWSL’s Boston-based franchise will likely be referred to as BOS Nation Soccer Membership, unveiling the primary a part of their id earlier than their first season in 2026.

🔢 NWSL Energy Rankings: The Portland Thorns and Utah Royals made massive good points within the newest batch of the NWSL Energy Rankings because the playoff push continues.

🇫🇷 France’s depth: France showcased its potential with out Mbappe and Antonie Griezmann in a 2-1 win over Belgium on Monday, progressing properly with the 2026 World Cup now of their sights.

🇨🇴 James Rodriguez shines: With an help in Colombia’s 4-0 win over Chile on Tuesday and on the again of successful the Copa America Golden Ball, is James Rodriguez one of the best participant in South America proper now?

❌ Fergie’s position reduce: Manchester United minority homeowners INEOS will scrap Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial position on the finish of the season as a part of a cost-cutting mission on the membership.

🗣️ Dest on Xavi: The USMNT’s Sergino Dest mentioned ex-Barcelona supervisor Xavi was not “trustworthy” with him concerning the measurement of his position throughout his stint with the membership.

💰  The Again Line

💵 Greatest bets

• UEFA Ladies’s Champions League: Barcelona vs. Hammarby, Wednesday, 3 p.m.
  💰 THE PICK: Beneath 4.5 targets scored (+114) – After a shock loss to Manchester Metropolis to open the group stage, reigning European champions Barcelona will goal a convincing win to get issues again on monitor. Anticipate a lopsided win for the hosts, who will likely be desperate to display their dominance and maybe work their purpose differential with prime spot in Group D nonetheless very a lot in play.
• UEFA Ladies’s Champions League: Wolfsburg vs. Lyon, Thursday, 3 p.m.
  💰 THE PICK: Beneath 2.5 targets (+141) – Lyon are naturally the favorites on this one and will come out of this one with one other three factors, however Wolfsburg will likely be decided to get a degree out of this sport after shedding their group stage opener. The hosts’ willpower may be sufficient to maintain issues tight, even when the guests come out on prime.

For extra picks, predictions, skilled ideas and the most recent betting information, do not miss out on CBSSports.com’s betting residence web page.   

📺 What’s on CBS Sports activities Golazo Community

☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros assist followers get their day began on the community’s flagship morning present with highlights, interviews and the largest soccer storylines. Morning Footy can also be out there in podcast type, so you may by no means should miss an episode.

3️⃣ Attacking Third (Monday, Thursday): The main girls’s soccer podcast and social model is now a dwell studio present. The NWSL season is again and our protection of the ladies’s sport is stronger than ever. Our analysts will likely be breaking down the USWNT, NWSL and European home season all yr lengthy. And do not miss Wednesday dwell streams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.

⚽ Name it What You Need (Monday night time): A weekly podcast the place Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and buddies cowl all issues USMNT and the state of the gorgeous sport in the USA. You may also catch the present streaming dwell on YouTube each Monday at 11 a.m. ET.

🥅 Scoreline (Day by day): Scoreline is the most recent place for followers to atone for all the largest information and outcomes impacting world soccer, match highlights from the highest soccer competitions and all of the can’t-miss targets from the day’s motion, beginning Thursday and airing seven days per week.

📺 Easy methods to watch: CBS Sports activities Golazo Community is a free 24/7 channel completely devoted to providing unparalleled protection of all the highest soccer competitions worldwide. You possibly can stream totally free on the CBS Sports activities app, Pluto TV and Paramount+.