Stu Holden: USA 'Not Good Enough Yet' To Play Like Top Countries

FOX Soccer analyst says the USMNT must adapt its style to compete with World Cup favorites.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:49am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold primary colors depicting a soccer match in abstract, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the tactical complexities the USMNT faces against top international opponents.Cubist interpretation of the USMNT's tactical challenges as they prepare to face the world's elite teams at the 2026 World Cup.Los Angeles Today

FOX Soccer analyst Stu Holden believes the United States men's national team is not yet ready to play the same attacking, open style as top international teams like Argentina, Spain, England, Belgium, and Portugal. Holden says the USMNT, led by new coach Mauricio Pochettino, needs to be more pragmatic in its approach if it wants to advance past the group stage at the 2026 World Cup.

Why it matters

The USMNT has high expectations heading into the 2026 World Cup, with a talented young roster playing for top European clubs. However, recent losses to Belgium and Portugal have shown the team still has work to do to compete with the world's best.

The details

Holden says Pochettino has been trying to implement a more attacking style since taking over the USMNT, but the team was "reminded" in the recent friendlies that they "aren't good enough yet" to play that way against elite opponents. The defense, in particular, needs improvement if the US wants to make a deep run in the tournament.

  • The USMNT will kick off its World Cup campaign on June 12, facing Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.
  • The team is coming off back-to-back losses to Belgium and Portugal, where they were outscored 7-2.

The players

Stu Holden

A FOX Soccer analyst and former USMNT player who is providing commentary on the team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino

The new head coach of the USMNT, tasked with leading the team at the 2026 World Cup.

Christian Pulisic

A star player for the USMNT who is under pressure to perform at the World Cup.

Tim Weah

Another talented young player in the USMNT player pool.

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What they’re saying

“I think we've had an unrealistic feeling, and by we I mean, Mauricio Pochettino has been going through a process since he took over as coach, of stylistically how he likes to play and how we can play at times, which is attacking, and we have probably the most talented generation we've had in many, many years and some guys playing at the biggest clubs.”

— Stu Holden, FOX Soccer Analyst

“What we were reminded of, and what I was reminded of, is that if we want to play against the best teams in the world, you can't allow them that time and space. We aren't good enough yet to play in the same style as Argentina or Spain or England or Belgium or Portugal and expect to win.”

— Stu Holden, FOX Soccer Analyst

What’s next

The USMNT will face Senegal and Germany in upcoming friendlies as they continue to prepare for the World Cup. The team will need to find the right balance between attack and defense if they want to advance past the group stage.

The takeaway

The USMNT has a talented roster, but Stu Holden's comments suggest the team is not yet ready to play an open, attacking style against the world's best teams. Pochettino will need to find a more pragmatic approach that shores up the defense without sacrificing the team's attacking potential.