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<ul><li>Gomez emphasizes need to achieve at 2026 World Cup</li><li>Points to unfulfilled potential for this squad</li><li>Comments come after Nations League failure</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'It’s not about talent' - Herculez Gomez warns USMNT that their golden generation risks becoming a wasted generation

Friendlies

Switzerland

Following the USMNT’s poor performances at the CONCACAF Nations League and Mauricio Pochettino’s recent comments about <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/we-will-not-choose-on-talent-alone-mauricio-pochettino-demands-more-responsibility-and-commitment-as-usmnt-looks-to-turn-page-from-nations-league-disappointment-to-difficult-gold-cup/blt46086bc01194299c" target="_self">'responsibility and commitment'</a> former U.S. international Herculez Gomez delivered a pointed critique of the current team's potential.Gomez said the supposed “Golden Generation” risks becoming the “Wasted Generation." He also expressed frustration with the team's performance and believes it’s cause for concern.“I think he’s saying some players are going to be in trouble,” Gomez said on Futbol Americas. “It’s not about talent, you gotta bring in that effort and mentality, which is a massive red flag. We heard it from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/100-percent-it-looks-like-we-don-t-care-usmnt-s-tyler-adams-understands-criticism-after-nations-league-losses-says-team-s-mindset-needs-to-shift-and-it-needs-to-shift-quickly-ahead-of-the-2026-world-cup/bltd529bfe42712df7e" target="_self">Tyler Adams not too long ago</a> about how those criticizing the USMNT’s mentality and players who don’t care are 100 percent correct, it looks like they don’t care. Now we hear the USMNT head coach, manager, saying we need the right characters, and it’s not just about talent, there needs to be investment and fight.“If a year out from the World Cup, the bare minimum they are asking is for effort, for mentality, for fight, the US is screwed. The USMNT a year out from the World Cup, this Golden Generation they’re in danger of becoming the Wasted Generation. That’s what they’re going to be known for, the generation that had everything that couldn’t get it done, the Wasted Generation. You say it, and people are going to be like ‘That’s what they are right now’ because they can only beat Mexico. They have nothing of worth if it’s not Mexico. Not one victory of worth, they’re victory right now is a tie against England.”READ MORE: <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/the-outrage-economy-why-landon-donovan-alexi-lalas-tim-howard-and-other-usmnt-legends-are-all-angry-and-what-it-says-about-american-soccer/blt505b081fc41998e9" target="_self">Why are USMNT legends so angry?</a>

WHAT HAPPENED

He also warned that merely advancing from the group stage in the 2026 World Cup is not enough because that’s the bare minimum for a national team.“Many national teams get out of the group phase of the World Cup. That is nothing to hang your hat on, this team was given everything. [In] 2018, you don’t make the World Cup? They gave - they handed out national team appearances to a bunch of kids to give them growth. To give them what they needed, what they felt they needed to be the team at this (2026) World Cup. They were handed opportunities, they didn’t earn those, they were handed opportunities,” Gomez said.“You used to had to fight like hell for a cap, they were gifted those. Now they’re in the position right now, of a home World Cup, and it looks like they don’t care? And the manager is saying we just need the right characters?”<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/sJNzV0Co634" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe>

WHAT HERCULEZ GOMEZ SAID

The USMNT has experienced mixed results in recent years despite having more players at top European clubs than ever before. Their inconsistent performances in qualifying campaigns and international tournaments have raised questions about whether technical ability is being properly complemented by the competitive mentality required to succeed.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The next chance that Mauricio Pochettino has to assess his players and for the USMNT to impress fans again will be at the 2025 Gold Cup, which begins from June 14.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'It’s not about talent' - Herculez Gomez warns USMNT that their golden generation risks becoming a wasted generation | Goal.com

The former USMNT star has issued a warning to the current USMNT squad that they risk squandering their potential if they fail to make an impact

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