Mauricio Pochettino and the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) ended the year 2025 on an exhilarating high note, delivering a commanding 5-1 victory over South American heavyweight Uruguay in a friendly match held in Tampa, Florida. This impressive win not only extended the USMNT’s unbeaten streak to five matches under Pochettino’s leadership but also energized American soccer fans, raising hopes for the team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
From the outset, the USMNT displayed a vibrant and confident style of play, despite missing several key stars like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards. Pochettino made sweeping changes to his starting lineup, rotating in numerous players to test his squad depth and identify potential contributors for the World Cup roster. Notably, Joe Scally was deployed in an unorthodox role as a center-back within a back three, showcasing Pochettino’s tactical flexibility and trust in his younger players. Other fresh faces included midfielders Timothy Tillman and Aidan Morris, as well as forwards Diego Luna and Haji Wright.
The game started at a fast pace, with Uruguay coming out strong, but the Americans quickly settled and began to exert control. Sebastian Berhalter was a standout performer, scoring a spectacular goal from a set piece and assisting in others. Berhalter’s free kick, cleverly quick-played to Sergino Dest before being drilled into the far corner, was one of the night’s highlights. Dest, who has been recovering from an ACL injury, looked bright and confident, contributing significantly to the attack and providing an assist. Alex Freeman was another key figure, netting two goals and demonstrating his ability to weave through the defense with skill and composure. His interplay with Auston Trusty was particularly effective, culminating in a well-worked goal that exemplified the team’s growing cohesion.
Diego Luna also made his mark by capitalizing on a deflected shot to score, while Tanner Tessmann sealed the emphatic victory with a powerful header off a perfectly weighted cross from Giovanni Reyna. Reyna, who had shown promise in previous matches with both a goal and an assist, continued to impress with his vision and technical ability, creating dangerous opportunities and catching the Uruguayan goalkeeper off guard.
Uruguay managed to get on the scoreboard through a goal by Giorgian de Arrascaeta just before halftime, but the visitors struggled to contain the US attack throughout the match. The turning point came in the 65th minute when Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a red card for a reckless sliding tackle on Berhalter. Bentancur’s dismissal left Uruguay a man down for the remainder of the game, allowing the USMNT to dominate possession and push forward relentlessly.
The Uruguayan squad, coached by the legendary Marcelo Bielsa, was missing some of its top stars, including Federico Valverde, Darwin Nunez, and Lucas Torreira. Despite this, they remained a formidable opponent, having recently gone unbeaten in their last six matches and finishing third at the 2024 Copa America. Bielsa’s men had previously defeated the USMNT 1-0 in the group stage of that tournament, making this resounding American victory even more significant.
Pochettino, who has often spoken about the influence Bielsa has had on his coaching philosophy, relished the opportunity to face his mentor. The match was a tactical battle as well as a showcase of emerging talent. With many regular starters absent, the game offered a crucial testing ground for players on the fringes of the World Cup squad. The likes of Haji Wright, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, and John Tolkin all took the chance to stake their claims. Wright, in particular, who had been an unused substitute against Paraguay a few days earlier, justified his selection with a lively performance upfront.
The midfield trio of Berhalter, Tillman, and Morris faced a stern test against Uruguay’s experienced midfielders, including Bentancur and Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte. Despite the challenge, the American midfield held firm and helped dictate the tempo of the game. Defensive contributions were also notable, with Auston Trusty and John Tolkin providing stability and supporting the attack effectively.
The USMNT’s performance was a testament to Pochettino’s ability to foster team unity and resilience, even when key players are unavailable.