Clint Dempsey hasn’t shied away from tough truths about the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), especially after a string of underwhelming results on the international stage. The former captain, now a pundit and ambassador, says his concern level sits at a "six or seven out of ten" following early exits in key tournaments and ongoing leadership questions.

After the US crashed out of the 2024 Copa América group stage—becoming the first host nation to do so—and stumbled again in the CONCACAF Nations League with losses to Panama and Canada, fans have grown restless. The team’s struggles under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge in September 2024, haven’t helped. While the Argentine manager boasts five wins in eight matches, most have come against significantly lower-ranked teams.

“I still believe in this team,” Dempsey insists. “There’s a lot of quality, and I think they can turn things around—especially with a coach like Pochettino, based on what he did with Southampton and Tottenham.”

Still, the Texas-born legend isn’t blind to issues. Pochettino recently hinted at a possible return to Tottenham Hotspur, fueling speculation about his long-term commitment to the USMNT. Dempsey warns that while the manager’s intentions are important, responsibility ultimately lies with the players.

“When I was growing up, my dream was to represent my country—it didn’t matter who the manager was,” he said. “It’s on the players to go out there and perform.”

Commitment and Identity Under Scrutiny

Alongside fellow USMNT great Landon Donovan, Dempsey has questioned some current players’ passion and accountability. Reflecting on the disastrous 2017 World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended in a humiliating loss to Trinidad and Tobago, Dempsey draws parallels between then and now.

“I’ve been part of failures. All you can do is respond the way these guys did by qualifying in 2022 and getting out of the group. But since then, we’ve taken a step back.”

The post-2018 rebuild saw a wave of new talent dubbed the “Baby Eagles,” many of whom play in Europe and contributed to a respectable 2022 World Cup showing. But consistency and leadership remain elusive. Despite standout seasons from players like Antonee Robinson (Fulham) and Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), the team lacks the spine it once had—particularly a dependable goalkeeper and a true goal-scoring No. 9.

“We used to have elite keepers like Tim Howard and Kasey Keller. We don’t have that right now,” Dempsey explains. “And we haven’t nailed down that striker who can reliably score goals.”

Is Pulisic the Right Captain?

Pulisic has come under fire for his leadership style, especially compared to Tyler Adams, who captained the squad in Qatar. Dempsey defends the idea of multiple locker-room leaders.

“Back in 2014, even though I wore the armband, Tim Howard was just as much of a leader. It takes more than one person to set the tone.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Despite the concerns, Dempsey isn’t pressing the panic button just yet. He believes one of the biggest challenges is the lack of quality competition between major tournaments.

“The Nations League doesn’t carry the same weight. As a fan, I’d rather see us test ourselves against stronger teams more regularly.”

With the 2026 World Cup on home soil, expectations are sky-high. And while Dempsey acknowledges the flaws—poor recent form, shaky leadership, and positional uncertainty—he still sees a path forward.

“There’s quality in the side; it’s just about getting the best out of them,” he concludes. “When your back’s against the wall, you’ve got to fight for each other and for that badge.”