USMNT Criticized By Fans for Blowout Loss to Switzerland in Last Game Before Gold Cup

The number four was not kind to the United States men's national team on Tuesday night at Nashville's Geodis Park. The short-handed Americans gave up four goals in the first half to Switzerland and were handed their fourth straight loss in the process.

When the final whistle blew, the United States had been thoroughly outclassed by a 4-0 margin, a worrisome final result ahead of this weekend's Gold Cup.

This was only a friendly, of course, though apparently the U.S. defenders took that terminology quite literally and were more than accommodating to the Swiss attackers.

It was an embarrassing showing for the United States, and it once again opened the floodgates for the familiar criticisms that the team has faced in 2025.

Is Mauricio Pochettino the right man for the job? What else should be expected when so many key players are absent (albeit mostly for good reason)? Why can't the players called up in their place, largely from Major League Soccer, unable to mount more respectable performances when given the opportunity? At what point will the U.S. Soccer Federation actually take accountability for these struggles and instill changes within its ranks?

Social media was abuzz with commentary asking those questions, and levying other critiques as well, after the disappointing performance:

There weren't many silver linings from Tuesday. The Swiss held 51 percent of possession, outshot the United States 12-7 (7-0 on goal) and held the advantage in corners (7-1). The best moment for the United States came when the final whistle blew, ending the one-sided affair.

And so the USMNT heads into the Gold Cup with the worst send-off possible, and is at one of its lowest points in recent memory just one year ahead of jointly hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico.

There's a word for the sinking feeling supporters are currently feeling ahead of that immensely important competition.

Foreboding.