Landon Donovan Criticizes USMNT After Nations League Losses to Panama, Canada

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) suffered a disappointing performance in the CONCACAF Nations League, recording back-to-back losses to Panama and Canada, finishing with a 2-1 defeat in the third-place match. The loss to Panama occurred in the dying moments of the semifinal, leading to significant criticism of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose tenure has started poorly compared to his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, who never lost a Nations League match. Soccer legend Landon Donovan expressed his frustration on social media, emphasizing that talent alone is insufficient without commitment to the national team. Pochettino acknowledged the need for improvement but urged fans not to be overly pessimistic, noting that there is time to develop the team's strategy ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The USMNT's struggles have raised concerns about their readiness to capitalize on the home advantage during the upcoming tournament. As the team faces scrutiny, the focus remains on reversing their fortunes and demonstrating pride and performance in future matches.