Sports
By Luke Essig, Marketing Manager
The United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) will play in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium on Nov. 17 for the first time since they drew a friendly against New Zealand, 1-1, on Sept. 10, 2024.
The USMNT has a great record at TQL Stadium, winning all three of their competitive matches while drawing and losing international friendlies against New Zealand and Venezuela. Most notably, they beat Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals in 2023 and their biggest rivals, Mexico, in a World Cup qualifying match in 2021. CONCACAF is the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football and is the organization governing all national soccer teams in North and Central America.
Striker Folarin Balogun during USMNT vs Belgium
Following a disappointing 4-1 World Cup Round of 16 loss to Belgium in July 2026, manager Mauricio Pochettino released his first post-World Cup squad last week. Fans were ecstatic, hailing it as the best squad he has picked during his tenure. Of the 28 players selected, only 13 of the players participated in this summer’s World Cup.
They are focused on a youth movement. There are 15 players receiving their first career USMNT call-up, most notably teenage sensation Cavan Sullivan. Philadelphia Union’s 16-year-old star has 19 goal contributions in MLS regular-season play. He recently set the MLS record for most assists by a teenager in a single season with 12, breaking Bayern Munich star defender Alphonso Davies’ eight-year-old record.
Most notably, however, Pochettino left out AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic. Hailed by many as the greatest American soccer player ever, Pulisic raised some concerns during the World Cup for his lack of goal contributions and passion.
After suffering an injury in the first half of the opening group stage match against Paraguay, Pulisic sat out the second game against Australia, and was substituted in the 57th minute in the final game against Turkey. Pulisic’s controversial performances in the World Cup led to his eventual drop from this cycle’s squad in favor of promising talents Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert.
A handful of American prospects made big moves to England following the World Cup as well. Second-tier club Middlesbrough signed four American players, two of which appeared in the World Cup and one of which was included in the most recent squad. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter impressed in the World Cup and will play for the USMNT this fall, while winger Max Arfsten and midfielders Aiden Morris and Rokas Pukštas all also joined Middlesbrough. Additionally, highly –rated right winger Zavier Gozo made a big move to Crystal Palace over the summer and will feature for the USMNT for the first time ever this cycle.
The USMNT follows the Cincinnati Open as the next major sporting event to hit The Queen City. Most recently, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats faced off against the Miami University RedHawks at TQL Stadium in the Battle for the Victory Bell, in which Cincinnati mounted a huge comeback to beat Miami. After begging for more major sporting events to hit Cincinnati, the United States Men’s National Team will return on Nov. 17.
