In a year of ups and downs, it has been hard to know what exactly to expect from the U.S. men's national team at times but at long last, things finally appear to be settling in for the World Cup co-hosts. They capped off 2025 with their first statement win under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, a 5-1 drubbing of Uruguay , extending their winning streak to three matches and closing out the year on a five-match unbeaten run.

The most obvious turning point is Pochettino's switch to a back three, though it is not a "full on, stick with it three with the back," per defender Tim Ream. The USMNT are undefeated since Pochettino introduced the approach in the second half of a 2-0 defeat to South Korea , acting as the foundation of the team's newfound identity. With each passing game, though,

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