The U.S. men’s national team’s nine-game unbeaten streak came to an end against Switzerland, and so did some of the good vibes and positive momentum it had built up during that run. Sunday’s game got away from the USA in the second half and the final 2-1 result was ultimately a flattering one given all the chances Switzerland created.
But as with every international match, there are plenty of caveats: The Americans played a strong opponent — Switzerland is ranked No. 13 and full of accomplished pros — and they were missing their best player (Christian Pulisic, because of Champions League duty) and their most influential player (Tyler Adams, out injured). They also had heavy legs from their high-altitude training, as captain Weston McKennie explained postgame.
The attitude and desire were the big positive and the USA had several good moments of swarming pressing which resulted in its best scoring chances. The Americans committed numbers in the attack when they had Switzerland pinned in its own half. But when it came to building out of the back and maintaining sustained possession, the quality just wasn’t there and the giveaways were plenty. That’s a dangerous game to be playing on the international level.
