SAN JOSE — Under its new coach, the U.S. men’s national soccer team figured to use the Concacaf Gold Cup as a major stepping stone toward the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament promised a stage for maturing players to hit their stride, for hopefuls to make their case to be on next year’s roster and for the program to begin rallying the public before the sport’s global spectacle arrives next June.
Instead, the biennial competition featuring the region’s best teams, plus a guest far from home, will serve as an urgent reboot for Mauricio Pochettino.