This USMNT team should be entering its prime. Now they need to prove it

The US claimed the Concacaf National League title with yet another win over Mexico. But they need to beat the best teams as 2026 approaches

Same touchline, different mood. Last Thursday Tyler Adams remonstrated with Gregg Berhalter after being substituted during an arduous victory over Jamaica. Three days later he celebrated wildly with his coach after scoring an astounding goal against Mexico to help the USMNT retain their Concacaf Nations League title.

Freshly returned from a serious hamstring problem and making his first start for club or country since March 2023, the Bournemouth midfielder was an unlikely candidate to fire a missile into the net from 30 yards. It was only his second international strike. The other one came in 2018, also against Mexico, but from much closer to goal and with far less ferocity.