Soccer’s rise in the United States has been a long, winding road—one that’s finally starting to gather real momentum. For years, the sport lagged behind the likes of football, basketball, and baseball, struggling to fill stadiums or earn headlines. But those days are fading fast. With each passing season, the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) finds itself under a brighter spotlight, drawing louder cheers, sharper criticism, and, perhaps most importantly, genuine passion from fans and pundits alike. And if you ask Tim Howard, the legendary former USMNT captain, that’s something worth celebrating.
On September 18, 2025, Howard reflected on the new era of American soccer, one where the team’s every move is dissected and debated. “There was nothing, nobody cared. So for everyone in U.S soccer, players, coaches and executives alike, now there is criticism, now people care,” Howard said. The message was clear: the scrutiny Christian Pulisic and his teammates face isn’t a burden—it’s a badge of honor. It means the game has arrived.
Howard, who spent years anchoring the U.S. goal and carrying the hopes of a nation often indifferent to the world’s favorite sport, remembers the quieter times. Back then, stadiums were half empty, and criticism—if it existed—was hidden in the farthest corners of online forums. Now, the USMNT can’t make a move without it being front-page news. For Howard, that’s real progress. “The best players are always judged more harshly, and that’s nothing new—it’s been part of sports forever,” he observed. The fact that Pulisic is under the microscope is simply proof that the U.S. finally cares about soccer.
That care was on full display in Columbus, Ohio, where the USMNT snapped a tough run of results with a much-needed 2-0 win over Japan. The September 18 victory wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was a statement. Alejandro Zendejas, who hadn’t cracked the Gold Cup squad, seized his chance in style, netting a goal and putting himself firmly in coach Mauricio Pochettino’s future plans. Alongside him, Folarin Balogun—already making waves since his switch to the U.S.—bagged his sixth international goal, linking up brilliantly with Pulisic.
For Pochettino, the Argentine tactician tasked with guiding this youthful squad to the next level, the win was more than three points. It was a chance to rally his troops and shield them from the growing storm of criticism. Facing reporters after the game, he made his stance clear: “Criticism should be aimed at me, not the squad.” He insisted that his players need the freedom to perform without the weight of outside pressure, emphasizing that the project is still a work in progress.
“We need patience and trust between staff and players,” Pochettino said, acknowledging the challenges of building a team capable of competing on the world’s biggest stage. The coach’s message was one of unity and steady progress, not panic. He reserved special praise for Zendejas, noting that his performance had made a strong case for future call-ups. “He wasn’t part of the Gold Cup squad, but he’s shown he can contribute at this level,” Pochettino added.
Balogun’s continued emergence as a goal-scoring threat is another reason for optimism. Since committing his international future to the U.S., Balogun has quickly established himself as a key figure in the attack. His chemistry with Pulisic is growing with every game, and his knack for finding the net is exactly what the USMNT has craved for years. With his sixth goal in national team colors, Balogun is fast becoming a fan favorite and a focal point for Pochettino’s plans.
The win over Japan provided a much-needed morale boost, but Pochettino knows the journey is far from over. The 2026 World Cup looms large on the horizon, and every match between now and then is a building block. The coach is already looking ahead to a pair of friendlies next month against Ecuador and Australia—crucial opportunities to test new combinations, blood young talent, and continue forging the identity he believes will carry the U.S. forward.
One of the most exciting developments in American soccer has been the emergence of new talent from across the country. This summer, Artesia junior defender Estrella Gutierrez took her place on the U.S. National soccer team, representing a new generation of players eager to make their mark. Gutierrez’s selection is a testament to the growing depth of talent in the U.S. pipeline, and her experience at the national level will only serve to strengthen the team’s future prospects.
Gutierrez’s journey is emblematic of a broader trend—young players from all backgrounds are now dreaming of wearing the stars and stripes, and they’re getting the chance to do so. Her summer with the national team is proof that the American soccer system is working, slowly but surely, to identify and nurture the next wave of stars.
As the USMNT continues its preparations for 2026, the stakes have never been higher. The criticism that once seemed like a distant dream is now a daily reality, and the pressure to deliver is intense. But as Howard and Pochettino both argue, that’s exactly where the team wants to be. The days of anonymity are gone; now, every match matters, every decision is second-guessed, and every player is held to a higher standard.
For fans, this new era brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. There’s the thrill of seeing the U.S. compete with the world’s best, but also the frustration when things don’t go according to plan. The debate over tactics, player selection, and coaching decisions is as fierce as ever. But beneath it all lies a simple truth: American soccer has finally arrived in the national conversation, and it’s not going away.
The next chapter for the USMNT will be written in the coming months, as Pochettino’s men face Ecuador and Australia and continue their march toward the 2026 World Cup. With emerging stars like Zendejas, Balogun, and Gutierrez, and the steady hand of a coach determined to weather the storm, the future looks brighter than ever.
As the dust settles on the win over Japan and attention turns to the challenges ahead, one thing is certain: the U.S. men’s national team is no longer in the shadows. The criticism, the expectations, and the passion are all signs that soccer has finally found its place in the American sporting landscape. And for players, coaches, and fans alike, that’s a victory worth savoring—no matter what the scoreboard says.
