There was something different about the USMNT’s win against Jamaica on Monday, in St. Louis. It wasn’t the familiar faces in the crowd (Bruce Arena and Gregg Berhalter?), or the pelting rain, or even the 4-2 scoreline. Instead, it was something fans haven’t seen in a long time: an identity.
For the first time, coach Mauricio Pochettino has put his stamp on the USMNT. High energy, organized pressing, and dynamic attacks had the team bearing a distinct resemblance to their manager. Perhaps even more encouraging is that identity was evident from the opening whistle.
Like the first leg in Kingston, the US started the game strong. But while that fixture faced familiar CONCACAF afflictions (a physical grind on a pockmarked pitch) that slowed the contest into a gritty battle of determination, on home soil the US were able to maintain their energy for the majority of the 90 minutes. (Good pitches really do make a difference.)
The opening goal in the 13th minute was reminiscent of some of Pochettino’s great club sides. Quick, progressive passes stretched the field and exposed space behind Jamaica’s back line, before an incisive ball from Weston McKennie was capped off with a deft finish from Chrstian Pulisic.
Any thoughts that may have been an anomaly were dispelled before the half was over. High pressing and clever combinations resulted in two more, well deserved goals - one an own goal from Jamaica’s Di’Shon Bernard (by way of Pulisic), the other a precise finish from the in-form Ricardo Pepi. Suddenly, the US was 3-0 up.
It might just be Jamaica. It might just be the CONCACAF Nations League. It might just be a November home game. But these kind of performances were hard to come by under Berhalter. Now, for the first time in a long time, the US was scoring goals. And with style.
A fourth was to come in the 56th minute, when Tim Weah gifted audiences with a glorious half-volley. But as aesthetically pleasing as that goal was, the second half also showed that this team’s newfound identity is far from the finished product.
Two goals from Jamaica’s Demarai Gray in the 53rd and the 68th minute, respectively, exposed an American defense susceptible to counter-attacks and vulnerable to getting cut open by fast, direct opposition. It raises familiar questions that have long-plagued Pochettino’s attack-minded sides. On the night, however, it seemed of little concern to the manager.
Similar to the first leg, Pochettino’s late subs were far from defensive. Among them, Chula Vista native, Brandon Vázquez, came on for Ricardo Pepi but failed to convert on a couple of solid chances - something he’ll be kicking himself for after being equally off-target in Kingston. Still, his directness in attack could keep him in favor with Pochettino as the side continues to develop. Whether it will be enough to secure him a spot in next years Gold Cup (or the big prize of making the squad for the 2026 World Cup on home soil) remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that what we saw on Monday night is an identity taking shape. An identity that (for now) should satisfy the accelerated expectations of 2026. An identity fans had hoped for when the new manager was announced in the summer: an identity in Pochettino’s image, complete with the fortes and flaws that make his sides so exciting.