Mauricio Pochettino appears to recognize the enormity of the problems facing his U.S. men’s national team after it crashed out of the CONCACAF Nations League this week with two dismal losses in a tournament it had won every other time it had been contested.

United States' Timothy Ream, left, controls the ball away from Panama's Cecilio Waterman Ruiz during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal soccer match Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) AP

Mexico won for the first time ever a CONCACAF Nations League trophy after defeating Panama by a 2-1 score in the final. Mexico was finally able to win the tournament in their fourth try after a tough match against a Panama side that came in as the surprise of the tournament after they eliminated the United States in the final.