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Pochettino’s USMNT Slumps to Seventh Loss in 17 Games Against Clinical South Korea
Sep
Harrison, NJ – The U.S. Men’s National Team kicked off their September international break with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to South Korea at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The loss marks Mauricio Pochettino’s seventh in just 17 games in charge across all competitions, raising concerns about the team’s trajectory as they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
Son Heung-min Masterclass Sinks USMNT
South Korea’s talisman, Son Heung-min, proved to be the difference-maker, orchestrating both goals in a dominant first-half performance. The LAFC superstar opened the scoring, much to the chagrin of his former boss, Pochettino, and Lee Dong-gyeong doubled the lead just before halftime, leaving the USMNT with a mountain to climb.
Pochettino’s Tactical Choices Under Scrutiny
Pochettino’s starting XI raised eyebrows, particularly the inclusion of Tristan Blackmon over the in-form Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards. While Sergiño Dest returned to the lineup after missing the Gold Cup, all eyes were on Christian Pulisic following his controversial decision to skip the Concacaf tournament this summer.
“The USMNT started the game with a decent spell of possession, but could not find a way through at Sports Illustrated Stadium,” reported Max Mallow, an editor for Sports Illustrated FC. “Nearly halfway through the first 45, LAFC superstar Son Heung-min opened the scoring to the dismay of his former boss in the opposing technical area. Lee Dong-gyeong doubled South Korea’s lead just on the verge of halftime to deflate the mood even further.”
Second Half Adjustments Fall Short
In the second half, South Korea maintained their composure, confidently stringing passes together. Pochettino introduced four changes in the 62nd minute, bringing on Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman, Cristian Roldan, and Chris Richards. These substitutions were accompanied by a formation change, pushing Freeman and Max Arfsten further forward with three central defenders behind them.
Richards nearly pulled one back for the Stars and Stripes in the 73rd minute from a set-piece, but South Korean keeper Jo Hyeon-woo was quick to react. While the USMNT looked more comfortable with three at the back and pressed higher, they still struggled to create meaningful chances in the final third. Balogun had their best opportunity in stoppage time, but Jo Hyeon-woo produced a magnificent double save to deny the Monaco striker.
Key Statistics and Player Ratings
This defeat marks the USMNT’s sixth loss in their last eight games against top-25 ranked teams since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Pochettino’s overall record now stands at 10 wins, 0 draws, and 7 losses.
USMNT Player Ratings vs. South Korea (4-2-3-1)
Ratings provided by Fotmob
| Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| GK: Matt Freese | 6.0 |
| RB: Sergiño Dest | 6.1 |
| CB: Tristan Blackmon | 6.7 |
| CB: Tim Ream | 6.2 |
| LB: Max Arfsten | 6.6 |
| DM: Tyler Adams | 5.5 |
| DM: Sebastian Berhalter | 6.5 |
| AM: Diego Luna | 6.6 |
| RW: Christian Pulisic | 6.8 |
| ST: Josh Sargent | 6.4 |
| LW: Tim Weah | 5.8 |
Substitutes
| Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Alex Freeman (62’ for Dest) | 6.5 |
| Chris Richards (62’ for Adams) | 6.3 |
| Cristian Roldan (62’ for Weah) | 6.4 |
| Folarin Balogun (62’ for Sargent) | 7.0 |
| Alex Zendejas (71’ for Luna) | 6.8 |
| Jack McGlynn (78’ for Berhalter) | 6.2 |
USMNT Player of the Match: Folarin Balogun
Overall Player of the Match: Jo Hyeon-woo (South Korea)
Looking Ahead: A Crucial September Break
The USMNT will now travel to Columbus, OH, for another international friendly against Japan. While no competitive games remain before the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino desperately needs a significantly improved performance to salvage this September international break and regain confidence within the squad and among the fanbase. For more in-depth analysis and breaking news, read the latest USMNT news, reaction and analysis.
