A year out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the United States men's national team appear headed in the wrong direction after a 4-0 loss to Switzerland on Tuesday.
The USMNT have been here before, losing 5-1 in their send-off match to Colombia before crashing out of the Copa America last summer, and despite the coaching change with Mauricio Pochettino coming in, the bad feelings remain. The USMNT have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions and failed to register a shot on target while allowing Switzerland to score four times during the first half of play in a match to forget.
Here's a look at just how bad it's gotten:
This is the first time that the USMNT have lost four consecutive games since 2007, and they're now winless in seven straight matches against European teams. While regulars like Christian Pulisic aren't with the squad due to rest and some having Club World Cup obligations, losing to this degree was still unexpected for the squad. They've consistently struggled against top European sides, and while the coach has changed, the results have stayed the same. Questions have to be asked of the player pool.
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Quite a lot has changed with the roster, and plenty of players weren't here, but Matt Turner and Walker Zimmerman are the only players from the loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup who started this match. Turner has struggled for playing time in the Premier League while Zimmerman earned his first recall under Pochettino, which says plenty about where the squad is this summer. The regulars will return, but it could be too little, too late.
Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel could've sat in a chair during the match. Despite taking seven shots, the USMNT failed to put any on target, generating an xG of only 0.42 during the match. Meanwhile, Switzerland were efficient with their chances, putting seven shots on target, scoring four goals, and generating an xG of 2.27. Just different classes on the pitch.
It's the first time ever the feat has happened at home with the previous instance coming in Mexico back in 1980. Even in the loss to Colombia, it took until the second half for them to run away with things, scoring three goals after the 77th minute of play in that Copa America tune-up last summer.
The World Cup is coming to United States soil quickly, and this team is running out of time to improve. They kick off Gold Cup play on Sunday and will need to quickly turn things around to have a chance with a World Cup on home soil. Even getting out of the group stage of the World Cup may be a struggle as things stand.
The USMNT has now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions and will turn toward the Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday. Allowing four goals in the first half, the USMNT failed to get a shot on target in the entire match and will have quite a lot of work to do if they are to capture the Gold Cup back from Mexico.
Time is running out to get a shot on target in the match.
Damion Downs of Koln makes his USMNT debut in the 75th minute to bring more of an attack in the closing 14 minutes.
The USMNT still seeks their first shot on target of the game as we enter the 70th minute of play. Switzerland is a tough team but this is quite a disappointing showing.
The USMNT attack has yet to get going but Switzerland has been held to only one shot on target in the second half of play which is an improvement. Of course, they only need to attack so much being ahead by four goals but it's something at this stage.
Tim Ream, Patrick Agyemang, John Tolkin, Malik Tillman and Diego Luna have all entered for Brenden Aaronson, Brian White, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter and Paxten Aaronson. Even a consolation goal would be an improvement for the USMNT at this stage.
The USMNT exited the pitch to a chourous of boos entering halftime. Down 4-0 to Switzerland and showing limited fight during the action, this is a match to forget on the eve of it being 365 days until the 2026 World Cup.
Blink and you might miss one as Switzerland gets their second goal in just three minutes. Manzambi adds to his assist and Switzerland's entire forward line has now scored or assisted a goal and we're only in the first half of play.
A speculative shot from Ricardo Rodriguez is spilled by Matt Turner and Breel Embolo knocks it into the net. 33 minutes into the match, Switzerland is scoring at will.
The USMNT is currently looking at losing four straight matches and have now conceded two first half goals in consecutive games for the first time since 2013. Being only 27 minutes into the first half of play, this could get much worse in Nashville.
The Swiss attack can't be stopped with a quick free kick, leading to Johan Manzambi not being tracked in the box. He found Michel Aebischer and doubled the lead.
It's Ndoye for Switzerland, and it's another mistake from the USMNT. It was a great pass into the box but Nathan Harriel was caught in transition as it evaded three defenders and Switzerland has the lead.
So far, both teams are looking to feel each other out in the first five minutes of the match but the USMNT is looking to get the ball forward to Brian White as a target man.
The USMNT is ready for action in their Gold Cup sendoff match.
Switzerland will go ahead early, creating a lead that they won't relinquish. The USMNT won't give up much as they did improve in possession facing Turkiye but they won't be able to create enough to keep going as they drop their fourth straight match and look to reset in the Gold Cup. Pick: USMNT 1, Switzerland 2
At the end of the day, these games are just friendlies and won't be a major indicator of if the USMNT will have success at the Gold Cup. Even Mexico lost to this Swiss squad but they're expected to be one of the final teams in the running for a Gold Cup title. The issue is the USMNT has to be competitive in this match. At times, that wasn't the case, facing Turkiye and only losing by one goal makes the match seem closer than it was. Switzerland brings a different style to the table, and it will be tough for the USMNT to create attacking chances but that's what makes this a good test.
USMNT Starting XI vs. Switzerland: 1-Matt Turner (Capt.), 5-Walker Zimmerman, 7-Quinn Sullivan, 8-Sebastian Berhalter, 11-Brenden Aaronson,15-Johnny Cardoso,20-Nathan Harriel, 21-Paxten Aaronson, 22-Mark McKenzie, 23-Brian White, 27-Max Arfsten
2025 hasn't been kind to the USMNT and the team is currently on a three-match losing streak, but with the Gold Cup around the corner, now is the time to turn things around. They'll host Switzerland in a friendly before kicking off Gold Cup play on Sunday. Mauricio Pochettino has rung in the changes for the match as Sebastian Berhalter will be handed his USMNT debut in an important moment.
