United States National Football

The United States men's national team plays its first game after the firing of Gregg Berhalter on Saturday against Canada.

Interim head coach Mikey Varas will be in charge of the USMNT in Kansas City. Numerous reports have the USMNT linked to Mauricio Pochettino as its new manager, but an official announcement has not been made yet.

Christian Pulisic and Co. could use a positive result against Canada to create some momentum going forward toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

The USMNT may not play a ton of top opponents in preparation for the World Cup because World Cup qualifying and other competitions will take up the international schedules of teams in Europe and South America.

Canada appears to be in great shape under its new manager Jesse Marsch and it will use Saturday's game as a chance to prove it can challenge the top team in North America.

USMNT vs. Canada Info

Date: Saturday, September 7

Start Time: 4 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

Live Stream: Max

Preview

The USMNT is playing under its second interim head coach since the 2024 FIFA World Cup concluded.

This time around Mikey Varas, who has experience with U.S. Soccer as the Under-20 men's coach, is the interim manager. Varas is not expected to be at the helm for long with Pochettino's appointment likely happening soon.

The goal for Saturday's game against Canada and Tuesday's match versus New Zealand is to win and get back on track after a disastrous Copa America in which the Americans dropped out at the quarterfinal stage.

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Joe Scally are among the first-team regulars in the squad for the September international window.

The whole collection of strikers, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent and Ricardo Pepi, are also on the roster.

The USMNT is still looking for the clear-cut No. 1 at the forward position. Balogun scored twice at the Copa America and could have a slight edge over the rest of the field for now.

All of the squad questions will be answered when Pochettino takes over, but for now, the goal is to put the best 11 players on the field to win a soccer game.

As always, a ton of pressure will be heaped on Pulisic to create chances and put the USMNT on the scoreboard.

Canada boasts the more consistent striker unit, led by Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, who have 57 international goals between them.

Alphonso Davies is always the danger man on the wing, and the Americans must contain him to have a strong defensive game.

Canada has all the momentum right now after its run to the Copa America semifinal, and it would not be a surprise to see the two rivals on level terms throughout the 90 minutes.

Prediction: United States 1, Canada 1

Christian Pulisic is all for the United States hiring Mauricio Pochettino.

The USMNT star said Pochettino potentially taking over as head coach is "good news."

"I think it's good news," Pulisic told CBS (h/t ESPN). "I think it's time for a change, it's time for us to take another step and really improve as a team and leading up to this World Cup we need to find some good results and build some momentum leading up to that moment."

Pochettino reportedly agreed to become the USMNT head coach last week, but he has yet to be formally named as the new coach because his contract situation with Chelsea is still being resolved.

The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas reported Saturday that talks between the United States, Pochettino and Chelsea are "ongoing and remain positive." Cardenas also noted that Pochettino is expected to be with the USMNT for their friendly against Canada on Sept. 7.

Another member of the USMNT, defender Sergiño Dest, also expressed his excitement about playing for Pochettino.

"Yeah, it is [exciting]," he said, per ESPN. "Obviously, he's been a coach for big clubs and he's a well-known coach. That will be a nice experience to train under him."

Pochettino served as manager for Espanyol from 2009 to 2012, Southhampton from 2013 to 2014, Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019, Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2022 and most recently, Chelsea from 2023 to 2024.

Should the deal be finalized, Pochettino would replace Gregg Berhalter, who coached the USMNT from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2023 to 2024. Berhalter was supposed to lead the United States through the 2026 World Cup, but a disappointing early exit in the Copa America group stage led to the end of him being relieved of his duties in July.

Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to a deal to coach the United States men's national team, according to ESPN's Mark Ogden and The Athletic's David Ornstein.

The 52-year-old guided Tottenham Hotspur to the 2019 Champions League final and won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021-22. Most recently, he and Chelsea mutually agreed to part ways after one season, which saw the Blues finish sixth in the Premier League.

Pochettino will succeed Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July after the USMNT finished third in its group at Copa América.

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Once former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp made it clear he wasn't interested in the job, Pochettino became the biggest name that seemed a realistic target for U.S. Soccer.

Tottenham, Southampton and Espanyol in La Liga all overachieved with the Argentine coach on the touchline. While his PSG and Chelsea spells aren't remembered fondly, he's far from the first manager to succumb to what were wider issues with each club. In the case of the latter, a sixth-place finish was an encouraging finish given what he was up against.

Tactically, Pochettino has also drawn praise for a style that emphasizes pressing and going on the attack.

This hire isn't without risk, though.

As with Klopp, part of Pochettino's success is owed to how much he nurtured and developed young talent. The national team structure typically doesn't allow for a coach to have the same kind of impact because he isn't working with the players every day for months on end.

To an extent, the USMNT is a little like his last two stops as well.

Pochettino's arrival means the expectations will be higher than ever. It won't be enough for the U.S. to win; the team will have to do so emphatically and attractively.

Just think, we’re only a few short months away from all of USMNT Twitter calling for Pochettino to be fired

— ⚽️ Kyle Sheldon (@kylesheldon) August 15, 2024

The dreadful Copa América showing and Berhalter's dismissal laid bare how much both the team and officials within U.S. Soccer have fallen short.

The USMNT has more pure talent than ever but is intrinsically missing something.

Yeah, my lukewarm take is that the current group has top-level talent that’s rarely existed on the USMNT - what they simply do not have is the mentality that the US made its name on in the 90s and 00s. Those groups were full of absolute mentality monsters, and were tightly-knit. https://t.co/763VKtreJC

— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) June 12, 2024

At the administrative level, it remains to be seen whether U.S. Soccer can get out of its own way. The timeline of Berhalter's firing is a story by itself considering he was let go after his contract expired, only to get rehired.

Bringing in Pochettino will be a big test for U.S. Soccer on multiple levels, particularly whether it can allow for a coach of this level to thrive.

The USMNT isn't chasing small fish in its search for a new manager following the Gregg Berhalter era.

According to The Athletic's Paul Tenorio, former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is a "top target" for the country.

Per that report, "Sources said that the federation was still considering multiple candidates as of last week, but Pochettino is seen by some as the favorite in the pool, and U.S. Soccer is engaged in conversations with his camp."

It would certainly be a high-profile hire.

Pochettino, 52, has several impressive career highlights, including leading Tottenham to the Champions League final and PSG to a Ligue 1 title. His one season at Chelsea in the 2023-24 campaign didn't go to plan, however, as the Blues finished just sixth despite a series of high-profile additions in the transfer market.

Chelsea did win their final five Premier League matches to close the season, an indication that perhaps Pochettino was righting the ship. It wasn't enough to save his job, though, as his disagreements with the sporting directors ultimately proved unresolvable and led to a mutual parting.

Pochettino's profile means he won't come cheap, but that apparently isn't a concern for the USMNT.

"It's a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field," U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker told reporters. "It's a priority. It's something we're prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in."

It's also an appointment that the United States has to get right. The Americans boast arguably the most talented young core in its history, but Berhalter wasn't able to raise the level in meaningful ways. Advancing out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup was positive—as has been the recent dominance of Mexico—but beyond that, the USMNT often underachieved.

The Americans don't want to disappoint at a 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. A Pochettino hire would undoubtedly be a major statement from U.S. Soccer.

The dream of Olympic gold is over for the United States men's soccer team.

The U.S. fell to Morocco 4-0 in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Summer Olympic tournament, ending the team's journey for a medal.

Friday's loss comes after the Americans advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 2000.

Our return to the Olympic Games ends in the quarters.#OlyMNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/lIlR9avyiA

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 2, 2024

Here's a look at Friday's quarterfinal action and which teams will have a chance to reach the podium.

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Quarter-final Results

Morocco 4, United States 0

Spain 3, Japan 0

Egypt 1 (5) Paraguay, 1 (4)

France 1, Argentina 0

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Semifinal Schedule

August 5: Morocco vs. Spain, 12 p.m. ET

August 5: Egypt vs. France, 3 p.m. ET

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The U.S. had its back against the wall following a 3-0 loss to France to open the tournament. However, it rebounded in the next group-stage games against New Zealand and Guinea and solidified a chance to earn a medal for the first time since 1904.

That was not meant to be. Morocco scored its first goal at the 30-minute mark when Soufiane Rahimi fired a penalty kick into the back of the net.

Morocco started to pile on at the 63-minute mark when Abde Ezzalzouli assisted on a Ilias Akhomach goal that made it 2-0. Less than 10 minutes later, Achraf Hakimi buried another goal to give Morocco a commanding 3-0 lead.

The lead would extend to four in extra time when Mehdi Maouhoub converted from the penalty spot.

As the U.S. looks to build on its quarterfinal qualification, Morocco will now focus on earning its first-ever Olympic medal in men's soccer.

The United States is on to the knockout stage of the 2024 Olympics after a 3-0 win over Guinea on Tuesday.

Team USA finished group play 2-0-1 with a plus-three goal differential. Djorde Mihailovic scored his second goal of the tournament to put the U.S. up 1-0 on Tuesday. Kevin Paredes added two more goals to make it a three-goal margin.

USA reach the quarterfinals of men's Olympic football for the first time since 2000 🎆

They'll face Morocco in the quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/FJwYnvVcs4

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 30, 2024

America came in second in Group A, finishing behind France. The host country went a perfect 3-0-0 with a plus-seven goal differential.

Here is the quarterfinal bracket, final group standings and goal differential stats from the first week of competition:

Quarter-final Bracket (All Games on Friday, Aug. 2)

• Morocco (Group B winner) vs. United States (Group A runner-up): 9 a.m. ET
• Japan (Group D winner) vs. Spain (Group C runner-up): 11 a.m. ET
• Egypt (Group C winner) vs. Paraguay (Group D runner-up): 1 p.m. ET
• France (Group A winner) vs. Argentina (Group B runner-up): 3 p.m. ET

Group A

1. France: 3-0-0 (plus-7)
2. United States: 2-1-1 (plus-3)
3. New Zealand: 1-1-1 (minus-5)
4. Guinea: 0-0-3 (minus-5)

Group B

1. Morocco: 2-0-1 (plus-3)
2. Argentina: 2-0-1 (plus-3)
3. Ukraine: 1-0-2 (minus-2)
4. Iraq: 1-0-2 (minus-4)

Group C

1. Egypt: 2-1-0 (plus-2)
2. Spain: 2-0-1 (plus-2)
3. Dominican Republic: 0-2-1 (minus-2)
4. Uzbekistan: 0-1-2 (minus-2)

Group D

1. Japan: 3-0-0 (plus-7)
2. Paraguay: 2-0-1 (minus-2)
3. Mali: 0-1-2 (minus-2)
4. Israel: 0-1-2 (minus-3)

Italics indicates team advanced to knockout stage.

The U.S. rebounded nicely after a 3-0 loss to France on July 24. They outscored New Zealand and Guinea to secure their first berth in the quarterfinals since the 2000 team advanced to the semifinals.

Another one ‼️@KParedes_7 👏👏
pic.twitter.com/pCRR1T0zvm

— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 30, 2024

France has dominated in the early going with three wins, including two by three goals. The other 15 teams in the tournament combined for a total of four wins by at least three goals.

Argentina—playing in the tournament without Lionel Messi—was able to secure a berth in the knockout stage for the first time since winning gold at the 2008 Games. The White and Sky Blue advanced thanks to a 2-0 victory over Ukraine on Tuesday.

France and Argentina will meet in the last quarterfinal game on Friday.

In the biggest surprise of Tuesday's matchups, Egypt's stifling defense held Spain scoreless for the first 90 minutes to earn a 2-1 victory. Ibrahim Adel scored both goals for the Egyptian squad in the win. They clinched the top spot in Group C to each the quarterfinal for the third time in the past four Olympics.

Coming off a win at the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations last year, Morocco kept the positive vibes going with a strong showing in Olympic group play with a 2-0-1 record that included a win over Argentina.

Morocco will take on the United States in the quarterfinals on Friday at 9 a.m. ET. This will be the first meeting between the two countries since Team USA earned a 3-0 win in a friendly on June 1, 2022.

The United States men's soccer team earned a crucial 4-1 victory over New Zealand in Marseilles, France on Saturday in Summer Olympics group play, keeping the team alive for the knockout round.

Here's a look at the entire day's Olympic men's soccer results alongside the latest group table.

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Saturday, July 27 Results

Argentina 3, Iraq 1

Spain 3, Dominican Republic 1

Ukraine 2, Morocco 1

Egypt 1, Uzbekistan 0

United States 4, New Zealand 1

Paraguay 4, Israel 2

Japan 1, Mali 0

France 1, Guinea 0

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Group A

1. France: 6 points (2-0-0, +4 goal differential)

2. United States: 3 points (1-0-1, 0 goal differential)

3. New Zealand: 3 points (1-0-1, -2 goal differential)

4. Guinea: 0 points (0-0-2, -2 goal differential)

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Group B

1. Argentina: 4 points (1-0-1, 1 goal differential)

2. Morocco: 4 points (1-0-1, 0 goal differential)

3. Ukraine: 4 points (1-0-1, 0 goal differential)

4. Iraq: 4 points (1-0-1, -1 goal differential)

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Group C

1. Spain: 6 points (2-0-0, +3 goal differential)

2. Egypt: 4 points (1-1-0, +1 goal differential)

3. Dominican Republic: 1 point (0-1-1, -2 goal differential)

4. Uzbekistan: 0 points (0-0-2, -2 goal differential)

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Group D

1. Japan: 6 points (2-0-0, +6 goal differential)

2. Paraguay: 3 points (1-0-1, -3 goal differential)

3. Mali: 1 point (0-1-1, -1 goal differential)

4. Israel: 1 point (0-1-1, -2 goal differential)

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Djordje Mihailovic's eighth-minute penalty goal gave the United States a lead it never relinquished.

Djordje Mihailovic scores the United States men's first Olympic goal in 16 years to take the lead over New Zealand! 🔥 #ParisOlympics

📺 USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/3LlxnYW8xA

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024

He later assisted on Walker Zimmerman's 15th-minute strike for a 2-0 advantage.

Walker Zimmerman makes it TWO for Team USA! 💥#ParisOlympics
pic.twitter.com/oV2NqcyXv6

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 27, 2024

Gianluca Busio scored in the 30th minute to give the United States a 3-0 halftime edge.

3 GOALS IN 30 MINUTES.🔥 #ParisOlympics

📺 USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/q3w4VZR0o9

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024

Paxten Aaronson's 58th-minute goal led to a 4-0 USA lead.

Paxten Aaronson makes it FOUR.

Team USA score four for the first time in a men’s Olympic football game 🔥

(via @NBCSportsSoccer)pic.twitter.com/wO0AZ4Hp7O

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 27, 2024

The clean sheet hopes were dashed after New Zealand's Jesse Randall found the back of the net.

💣 ¡GOLAZOOOO DE NUEVA ZELANDA!

Jesse Randall firma un lindo gol y descuenta para su país 🤩⚽️

🇳🇿 #NuevaZelanda 1-4 @USYNT 🇺🇸

📺 Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/ul4uFJ71Tf
📱 Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/nsiV2UMS7l#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/fFuNUaFESM

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 27, 2024

Still, this was an exceptional result for Team USA, which had 17 shots (eight on target) to New Zealand's eight shots (four on target).

The United States will close group play against Guinea on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET. As of now, the U.S. would get into the knockout round as a top-two finisher in group play.

Ultimately, the U.S. is in good shape right now by virtue of holding a two-goal edge over New Zealand in goal differential, which is the No. 1 tiebreaker for advancement to the knockout round.

There are multiple ways for the United States to officially get in, but the easiest one is a victory plus a New Zealand loss or draw to France. Team USA could also get in with a draw plus a New Zealand loss to France.

On the flip side, a USA loss plus a New Zealand draw (or win) or a USA draw and a New Zealand win would eliminate America from the Olympics.

France handed the United States a 3-0 defeat to open the men's soccer tournament in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The score remained tied through 60 minutes before Alexandre Lacazette broke the deadlock. Michael Olise doubled France's lead in the 69th minute, while Loïc Badé put the finishing touches on the victory in the 85th.

This is the first year since 2008 the U.S. men are competing in the Olympics, and this wasn't the return to the Summer Games they envisioned.

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July 24 Results

Group A

New Zealand 2, Guinea 1

France 3, United States 0

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Group B

Morocco 2, Argentina 1

Iraq 2, Ukraine 1

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Group C

Spain 2, Uzbekistan 1

Egypt 0, Dominican Republic 0

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Group D

Japan 5, Paraguay 0

Mali 1, Israel 1

The full men's and women's soccer schedule is available on the Olympics' official site

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Group Standings

Group A

1. France (+3 GD, 3 PTS)
2. New Zealand (+1 GD, 3 PTS) 
3. Guinea (-1 GD, 0 PTS)
4. United States (-3 GD, 0 PTS)

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Group B

1. Iraq (+1 GD, 3 PTS) 
2. Morocco (+1 GD, 3 PTS) 
3. Argentina (-1 GD, 0 PTS) 
4. Ukraine (-1 GD, 0 PTS) 

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Group C

1. Spain (+1 GD, 3 PTS) 
2. Egypt (0 GD, 1 PTS) 
3. Dominican Republic (0 GD, 1 PTS) 
4. Uzbekistan (-1 GD, 0 PTS)

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Group D

1. Japan (+5 GD, 3 PTS) 
2. Israel (0 GD, 1 PTS)
3. Mali (0 GD, 1 PTS)
4. Paraguay (-5 GD, 0 PTS)

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For those unaware, there's no overlap between the Copa América and Summer Olympics squads for the United States.

In the Summer Games, countries in the men's tournament are limited to an under-23 roster with a limit of three slots for overage players. This year, the quick turnaround from the Copa América basically ruled out anybody who competed in that event.

As a result, USMNT coach Marko Mitrović is leaning on a relatively inexperienced group in Paris. Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson are the only players with at least 20 caps with the senior team.

Contrast that with the records of France's first two goalscorers.

Lacazette may not a decorated member of Les Bleus, but he has played the game at the highest level with Arsenal and Lyon. The 33-year-old is simply head and shoulders better than what the United States can throw at him in defense.

Alexandre Lacazette delivers for France!

The former Arsenal man puts the hosts up 1-0 against the USA. #ParisOlympics

📺 USA & Peacock pic.twitter.com/T6MC4dJd8Q

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024

The same goes for Olise, who had 10 goals and six assists in 19 Premier League games for Crystal Palace and parlayed that into a move to Bayern Munich. The dynamic winger made it look easy with his left-footed effort from just outside the 18-yard box.

What a strike by Michael Olise! 💥

France double their lead and the home fans are loving it. #ParisOlympics

📺 USA & Peacock pic.twitter.com/QsimLuDvPg

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024

The final score is slightly deceiving as it wasn't totally one-way traffic in France's favor before Lacazette's opener. Moments before that goal, Djordje Mihailovic had a shot go off the crossbar.

Paxten Aaronson and John Tolkin both narrowly missed on what would've been equalizers in the minutes after the United States went behind as well.

Olise's goal was the backbreaker, though. The U.S. as unable to muster much effort after falling behind 2-0.

You don't want to read too much into one game, especially one that included a tournament favorite in France. Those who have followed the USMNT for years, however, probably saw similar issues that have long lingered.

Being fascinated with the big/strong/fast athlete and not actual soccer players and the way our youth system is set up will always be a HUGE reason why we are where we are in international soccer. This has to change for us to be consistently competitive! #USMNT

— FREDDY ADU (@FreddyAdu) July 24, 2024

The United States will look to regroup against New Zealand on Saturday before closing out the group stage against Guinea.

Especially with New Zealand winning earlier in the day, the USMNT is effectively facing a must-win situation. Four points may not be enough to secure a second-place finish in Group A thanks to an already intimidating goal differential.