“We need to be all together, because the country deserves that we are all on one side trying to help arrive at the World Cup in the best condition and be competitive,” Mauricio Pochettino made an earnest appeal for the fans’ support before the USMNT‘s next big challenge en route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, it seems like the Argentine coach’s gamble for the friendly game against Japan is making the US’ soccer loyalists fume.

The official US Soccer Men’s National Team took to X on September 9 to reveal the squad that was to take on Japan at the Lower.com Field on Tuesday. Captioned, “Taking the pitch Tuesday night against Japan!” the X post unveiled the starting XI, led by defender Tim Ream. Now, considering that the USMNT heads to today’s game after a sound 0-2 battering at the hands of Korea last Saturday, fans were hoping to see a more stacked squad against Japan.

But instead, the team rounded up by Pochettino for the game against Japan did little to boost confidence among the USMNT fans. Following the weekend loss to Korea, former stars have stepped forward, highlighting how the national men’s team has been looking shambolic in recent months. “They have lost the foundation that the #USMNT and #USWNT have been built on all these years,” vented Carli Lloyd, ex-USWNT star, who has had enough of the USMNT fumbling game after game.

With Japan deciding not to play its starters, fans had thought this could be the perfect time for Pochettino and the USMNT to flex their muscles. However, the starting XI for the Americans didn’t seem to holler confidence and intent enough.

In March, a fully-stacked USMNT was upset by Canada and Panama at the CONCACAF Nations League. Then, at the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, the Americans were once again topped by Mexico, despite the hosts bagging an early lead in the game. Naturally, red flags are being raised everywhere, and today’s starting XI once again opened the floodgates to further criticism.

One look at the starting lineup, and the fans gathered in numbers to note their frustration. “What kind of lineup is this? I don’t know if you’re gonna win this match to be honest every time I see a US men national team match I feel like crying. This really hard is a true fan. This is embarrassing,” one enraged USMNT fan stated, noting how they’d be better off sitting out the game. Others soon joined in.

Enraged fans stand against the USMNT

“The national team has an issue, and I hope that’s going to be solved pretty soon, because what you want is the national team to perform, especially when the team is the host,” said France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry about how the USMNT needs to sort its house before hosting next year’s World Cup. However, the fans don’t seem to believe that Pochettino shares the same insights. “Pochettino needs to go man, this guy is gonna embarrass us at the World Cup,” one fan believes the only solution for the USMNT’s wobbly run is for the national team to part ways with its coach.

Ex-USMNT star Frankie Hejduk was left furious after witnessing the current squad falling flat on its face against the Koreans. “We didn’t play pretty soccer…that was the furthest we have been in a long time,” the former wingback recently said in a podcast. But looking at how Pochettino decided to head into the Japan game, fans felt like he didn’t have plans to get the USMNT into full form before the World Cup. “Poch Plan is to sit most the starters until WC!??” one baffled fan pondered.

“I don’t know how you managed to do worse than Gregg but you did it. I’m actually impressed,” one fan even went a step further to claim that Pochettino’s successor looks like the better candidate right now. Under the Argentine coach, the USMNT posts a 10-6-1 record, with the hosts having held on to their 2-0 lead, but fans seem to have had enough already. “What the hell. Are we just giving up? Being a fan for maybe 6 years, you’ve lost any credibility. I’ll always root for any USA team but you guys have really made it difficult to continue,” wailed one irate fan.

So, what did you think of the team and its performance at Lower.com Field today? Tell us how you feel the USMNT is prepared for the World Cup in a comment.