Following a defeat to Turkey, the United States Men`s National Team has an opportunity to demonstrate progress against another strong UEFA opponent, Switzerland. Ranked 20th globally, Switzerland is a consistently competitive side, frequently reaching the knockout rounds of European Championships and World Cups, a benchmark the USMNT aims for.
Experiencing their first three-match losing streak since 2015, pressure is mounting on head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the squad. With Tyler Adams unavailable for this fixture, the match presents a significant challenge during preparations for the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup. Several players earned their first USMNT appearances against Turkey, and more debuts could follow as Pochettino continues to broaden the player pool.
The team has historically struggled when key players like Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and Christian Pulisic are absent. This match offers a chance to break that pattern. As the squad gains more time under Pochettino`s guidance, developing team cohesion is crucial. However, building chemistry is difficult with frequent roster changes; potentially only three starters from the 2022 World Cup loss to the Netherlands might feature in this game.
While connections formed at youth levels or clubs provide a base, Pochettino hasn`t had a stable group since taking charge. With five matches scheduled during this international break, he finally gets a sustained period with the players, even if the lineup differs from initial expectations. Failing to secure positive results with this consistency, especially a year out from the World Cup, could heighten concerns, though there is still time to turn the situation around.
How to watch USMNT vs. Switzerland, odds
- Date: Tuesday, June 10 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: GEODIS Park — Nashville, Tennessee
- TV: TNT | Live stream: Fubo
- Odds: USMNT +200; Draw +220; Switzerland +130
USMNT Predicted lineups
- USMNT starters: Matt Turner, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Luca De La Torre, Jack McGlynn, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang, Malik Tillman
Player to watch: Malik Tillman
Pochettino expressed satisfaction with Tillman`s performance against Turkey. While his assist to Jack McGlynn was largely down to McGlynn`s skill, the PSV player showed promising moments. In Gio Reyna`s absence, the creative burden falls significantly on Tillman and Diego Luna. Tillman, a highly-rated recruit for the USMNT, has seen his club form not consistently transfer to the international stage. A key objective of this camp under Pochettino should be finding ways to bridge this gap, which would elevate the entire squad`s potential. He doesn`t need to score or assist every time, but consistently creating chances to occupy defenses will be vital.
Storyline to watch: Progress needed
Ultimately, these friendly matches are not definitive indicators of Gold Cup success (even Mexico lost to this Swiss team, yet they are expected to be a top contender). However, the USMNT must demonstrate competitiveness in this fixture. At times against Turkey, this wasn`t fully evident, and the one-goal margin made the match appear closer than it was. Switzerland presents a different style of play, and creating attacking opportunities will be challenging for the USMNT, which is precisely why this is a valuable test.
Prediction
Switzerland is likely to establish an early lead and maintain control. While the USMNT showed some improvement in possession against Turkey, they may struggle to generate sufficient offense to keep pace, potentially resulting in their fourth consecutive loss before they look to regroup for the Gold Cup. Predicted Score: USMNT 1, Switzerland 2.
