Cobi Jones Reacts To USA's Back-To-Back Losses: 'You Can't Be Happy'
#Cobi Jones #Christian Pulisic #USA soccer #World Cup 2026 #friendly losses #talent gap #Mauricio Pochettino
📌 Key Takeaways
- The US men's soccer team faces pressure after two friendly losses ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.
- Cobi Jones defended Christian Pulisic's optimistic leadership despite the team's recent poor results.
- Jones downplayed criticism about the US lacking top-100 players, viewing it as a broader talent gap issue.
- Pulisic's ongoing goal drought for both the US and AC Milan is a concern as the World Cup approaches.
📖 Full Retelling
As the 2026 World Cup co-tournament hosts, the United States faces the pressure to perform as a home team. However, a pair of friendly losses have raised questions for the men's team ahead of the tournament. Former USA midfielder Cobi Jones joined "First Things First" to discuss the recent struggles of the United States in its pursuit of its first World Cup quarterfinals appearance since 2002. The U.S. recently dropped two friendlies this week, including a 5-2 loss to Belgium on Sunday and a 2-0 defeat to Portugal on Wednesday. Jones reacted to Christian Pulisic’s comments following the Portugal loss, and defended the U.S. star's optimism. "Just looking at the results, you can’t be happy regardless of who the opponent is, especially with the timing, as you’re leading into the World Cup," Jones said. "As one of the leaders of the team, he has to be positive, he’s got to find the way to get this team moving in the right direction, because two losses and only a couple of games left before the World Cup starts, you’re kind of looking at every way to bring that team together, to be that one unit." The talent gap between Portugal and the United States was apparent, and it was highlighted after the match, with coach Mauricio Pochettino saying that he doesn't think the U.S. has any top-100 players — not even Pulisic. But was it meant for Pulisic to take personally? Jones doesn't think so. "I wouldn't say that it’s a slight towards Pulisic especially, I think it’s just saying, when we look at the world of soccer, you don’t have a lot American players that are considered to be in that top-100," Jones said. "I would hope that he’s not so negative with the team going into the World Cup; I think he knew what he was getting into, or at least should have known what he was getting into coming to coach the U.S. team." Pulisic hasn't scored a goal for the U.S. since 2024 and has not found the back of the net for AC Milan this year. Jones thinks ending Pulisic's dry spell with the U.S
🏷️ Themes
US Soccer, World Cup Preparation
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Original Source
As the 2026 World Cup co-tournament hosts, the United States faces the pressure to perform as a home team. However, a pair of friendly losses have raised questions for the men's team ahead of the tournament. Former USA midfielder Cobi Jones joined "First Things First" to discuss the recent struggles of the United States in its pursuit of its first World Cup quarterfinals appearance since 2002. The U.S. recently dropped two friendlies this week, including a 5-2 loss to Belgium on Sunday and a 2-0 defeat to Portugal on Wednesday. Jones reacted to Christian Pulisic’s comments following the Portugal loss, and defended the U.S. star's optimism. "Just looking at the results, you can’t be happy regardless of who the opponent is, especially with the timing, as you’re leading into the World Cup," Jones said. "As one of the leaders of the team, he has to be positive, he’s got to find the way to get this team moving in the right direction, because two losses and only a couple of games left before the World Cup starts, you’re kind of looking at every way to bring that team together, to be that one unit." The talent gap between Portugal and the United States was apparent, and it was highlighted after the match, with coach Mauricio Pochettino saying that he doesn't think the U.S. has any top-100 players — not even Pulisic. But was it meant for Pulisic to take personally? Jones doesn't think so. "I wouldn't say that it’s a slight towards Pulisic especially, I think it’s just saying, when we look at the world of soccer, you don’t have a lot American players that are considered to be in that top-100," Jones said. "I would hope that he’s not so negative with the team going into the World Cup; I think he knew what he was getting into, or at least should have known what he was getting into coming to coach the U.S. team." Pulisic hasn't scored a goal for the U.S. since 2024 and has not found the back of the net for AC Milan this year. Jones thinks ending Pulisic's dry spell with the U.S
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