Former USMNT goalkeeper and current NBC Premier League analyst Tim Howard discusses the struggles in the U.S. goalkeeping pipeline and which players are on the rise as we head toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now comes the U.S. national team's version of “Survivor.”

Now comes the U.S. national team's version of "Survivor." Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup.

Entering this Gold Cup having lost four consecutive matches for the first time in nearly two decades, the USMNT reeled off five straight wins to reach Sunday’s final. More importantly, they showed resilience, character and pride — qualities that have been missing all too often since the 2022 World Cup.

A number of questionable decisions went against the United States men's national team during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final, including what appeared to be a handball by Mexican defender Jorge Sánchez that wasn't called.

When the United States and Mexico clash in Sunday's Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium in Houston, far more than regional bragging rights will be at stake — the 2026 World Cup co-hosts desperately need to prove they belong on soccer's biggest stage,