Five Things to Know: USMNT vs. Switzerland

The U.S. Men’s National Team faces another European test in the second of two friendlies this window when it takes on Switzerland on Tuesday, June 10.

The match kicks off from Nashville, Tenn. at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday (TNT, truTV and Max; Peacock in Spanish; Westwood One Sports on radio).

 In less than a week’s time, the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage will commence. The USA fell short to Türkiye in its first friendly but will get one final tune-up before heading to the tournament.

 “I think the focus [against Switzerland] is more in the process to improve than maybe the result,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “And of course, the Gold Cup is going to be about progression and result.” 

1. Best Action is the Next Action

 Pochettino urged his group to look ahead after falling to Türkiye 2-1 in the team’s first June friendly. The U.S. conceded those two goals in a three-minute span, but Pochettino is more concerned with how his team responds.

 “The most important action is the next one,” Pochettino said.

 At this stage, Pochettino feels more concerned with the process than the result, especially with the number of young players on the team. The announced roster for the June friendlies featured six uncapped players.. The previous match’s starting lineup averaged just 13 caps.

 “You need to feel the confidence from us to say, ‘If I made a mistake, it's part of my game. It's part of the sport,’” Pochettino said.

 2. Gold Cup Send-Off

 As the friendlies wrap up, the U.S. heads to the Gold Cup. The match in Nashville will send the National Team off to the biennial tournament.

 The USMNT drew Group D in April with Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti filling out the group. The tournament group stage begins June 15, and the U.S. will face those opponents in that respective order.

The U.S. last won the Gold Cup trophy in 2021. The Americans also faced Switzerland in the lead-up to their victorious run that same year. Mexico claimed the most recent title in 2023, but the U.S. looks to reclaim its reign as Pochettino searches to win his first international tournament as USMNT head coach. 

3. Homefield Advantage

 Defender Walker Zimmerman is familiar with GEODIS Park. As captain of Nashville SC, his likeness is plastered around the stadium.

 Zimmerman may have been a late roster addition, but the veteran has provided leadership to a relatively young squad. He was one of 26 players chosen for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has accumulated 43 caps and three goals in his international career.

 “It's a very positive leadership that he [provides] to the team,” Pochettino said. “I think that is really good, and I think we are so happy to have him, and maybe tomorrow [he’ll] have the possibility to play.”

 If Zimmerman makes an appearance, it’ll be his first National Team cap in his club’s stadium. The USMNT last played in Nashville in 2023 in a 4-0 win over Ghana. Zimmerman has been a center back for Nashville SC, currently No. 4 in the MLS Eastern Conference, since 2020. 

4. Keeping up with the Goalkeepers

 The goalkeeper position is one to keep an eye on. In 2025, four different players have started goal: Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner and Matt Freese.

 Turner and Freese are two of three ‘keepers on the Gold Cup roster, along with Chris Brady. Schulte and Steffen started the June camp, but both sustained injuries that will keep them out of the biennial cup.

 Freese earned his first cap in the match against Türkiye, allowing two goals. Turner is the most senior player at the position with 51 appearances, including in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Brady is still uncapped. With the 2026 World Cup in view, the front-runner for the position will continue to evolve, and this summer could help determine that.

5. USMNT vs. Switzerland History

 In nine matches between the two countries, the Americans have fallen to and drawn Switzerland four times each (1W-4L-4D). The sole win came in October 2007 in a 1-0 victory in Basel, Switzerland. Former USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley scored the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute.

 More than half of the matches between these nations have been played in Switzerland, most recently in 2021 and 2015 before that. Matches played in U.S. cities included Tampa, Fla. (1985), Miami, Fla. (1991) and Fullerton, Calif. (1994). The most memorable of these meetings for the USMNT occurred in Pontiac, Mich. when former USMNT forward Eric Wynalda scored the iconic free kick from 28 yards in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Switzerland hasn’t faced the USMNT on American soil since 1994, when the USA hosted the World Cup for the first time.

 Historically, the USA has scored seven goals against Switzerland while allowing 11.