The U.S. men's national soccer team is focused on cultural change, emphasizing aggression both on and off the ball. The team, faced with criticism after recent defeats to Turkey and Switzerland, is a youthful and determined squad looking to improve. There is concern about their conservative ball use, with a risk-averse mentality dominating their play as they transition into a new competitive environment. The ongoing Gold Cup serves as a pivotal moment for these players to showcase their potential without fear of failure, seeking to evolve into a more assertive team.
Aggression with and without the ball, plus aggression toward opponents (and critics) who dare to give the Americans anything even approaching a dirty look.
June began with the U.S. soccer community either picking at its own scabs or embroiled in the often-bitter debate about missing stars versus emerging prospects.
What I thought I saw, as an outsider, was a team far too conservative with its use of the ball.
This is a youthful, relatively inexperienced bunch. So savage have the past few months been that when this Gold Cup began, the squad was subconsciously keen not to expose itself to risk.
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