Fox Sports analyst Stu Holden emphasizes the importance of the summer for the U.S. men's national soccer team (USMNT), viewing Copa America and the Olympics as a litmus test for the 2026 World Cup.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Fox Sports soccer analyst and former USMNT member Stu Holden believes this summer holds immense significance for the team and head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Holden views Copa America and the Summer Olympics as a crucial test, particularly considering the team's schedule against formidable opponents.
"You're going to have the Gold Cup in '25, but this is going to be the biggest test this team will face ahead of the '26 World Cup," Holden explained. "Because you're going to play Uruguay [in Copa America]. If the U.S. can make it out of the group stage, they're going to probably get Brazil or Colombia in a quarterfinal. That's awesome."
Holden noted that Berhalter has a strong relationship with the team captains, who played a significant role in his contract renewal. However, he admitted that this summer's results could influence those sentiments.
"Gregg has the trust of the team, which is a very important part of being a national team coach," Holden said. "Yet, in the real games he'd had to prove that again, they smash Mexico in the final of the Nations League."
"I have confidence he can put this team in the best position to succeed in 2026, yet 2024 this Copa America becomes that really important litmus test that we'll really have the best sense of if he can."
Berhalter will have to navigate the absence of Sergiño Dest due to an ACL tear, but Holden believes he possesses the talent to overcome such setbacks.
"Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, there's a core group of players that are looking to cement their names in USMNT history," Holden said. "But they've yet to achieve anything of note that no other generation has done in the past."
The United States begins their Copa America group stage matches on June 23 against Bolivia. Holden emphasized that a strong showing in the summer competitions will serve as a foundation for the team's future success.
"If not, questions about whether the team is going in the right direction will surface," Holden warned. "I've always said, talent is all great and well, and we can talk about how talented this generation is. But they've yet to achieve anything of note that no other generation has done in the past."
The USMNT will look to prove their mettle this summer, with the 2026 World Cup serving as their ultimate goal. The results of Copa America and the Olympics will have a significant impact on the team's trajectory and Berhalter's future as head coach.
