Mexico, Switzerland Play Key Friendlies in Gold Cup, World Cup Prep

The United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) is looking to rebound after a third consecutive loss, most recently a 2-1 defeat to Turkey, as they prepare to face Switzerland in an international friendly in Nashville. The US squad has faced criticism for fielding a weakened team missing key players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Switzerland, coming off a strong 4-2 win over Mexico, will likely field a similar squad led by captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo. Meanwhile, Mexico, under coach Javier Aguirre, is also preparing for the friendly against Switzerland with an eye on the 2025 Gold Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup; they have a mostly healthy roster except for a few injured key players and are expected to use this match to finalize their tournament lineup. Switzerland has struggled with a lack of recent high-level competition but boasts a solid and balanced team under coach Murat Yakin. This friendly match serves as a crucial test for all three teams to build momentum and sharpen their squads ahead of important upcoming competitions.