A Big Thanks From Everyone at USMNT Only 🍾

Happy (Almost) New Year from USMNT Only 🍾

It has been a wild year for the USMNT, beginning with the darkness of the CONCACAF Nations League in March and continuing on to the humiliating pair of friendlies against Türkiye and Switzerland. But then, Mauricio Pochettino’s Gold Cup reboot commenced, and after a final defeat to South Korea, the U.S. boys began their five-match unbeaten streak, with friendly wins over Japan, Australia, Paraguay, and a 5-1 thumping of Uruguay, along with an Ecuador draw, all of whom will join us at next year’s World Cup. What a journey it has been for this team and for us as supporters.

We are about to head into 2026. A new year, but for U.S. fans, a seismic one in which the World Cup returns to our shores. North America will host 48 teams for a generationally defining rumble on our soil. For the USMNT, the tournament will be a success no matter who wins, but the United States will be desperate to make themselves more than a bit part in the story.

Jürgen Klinsmann was asked as the U.S. coach if we could win it all in 2014 and he was honest and said no, that the U.S. were just not at that level where they could expect to win. Poch, however, has said yes. We must "think big" and aim for victory, as he has apparently become obsessed with the movie “Miracle.” Can Poch be Herb Brooks but Argentinian? Great moments are born from great opportunity.

As for where we currently stand, the deviation on this U.S. men’s team is impossible to handicap. How does the eventual first-team squad develop chemistry? International teams are always all-star affairs in terms of just crashing together without much practice, but this is going to be the most all-starry and fleeting of all American teams before a World Cup. Over 70 players have been called up and shuffled through, but with less than six months until the competition kicks off, the starting XI is utterly wide open. In Poch we trust.

We cannot wait to go on this massive journey with you all and hope that you’ll continue sending us your thoughts, your questions and your recs for where fans should eat and drink as they descend upon the World Cup host cities next summer. And if you have any soccer-curious friends in your life who are ready to become World Cup-obsessed, please help spread the word by asking them to subscribe.

To football, to America, and to you, the reader, without whom nothing we do at USMNT Only would matter. Thank you for your unwavering support. Now, let’s go win the World Cup. Soccer’s coming home!

Courage,
Roger Bennett, Tommy Stewart, Jonathan Williamson and Max Bonem

Our USMNT Only 2025 Reader Survey 🇺🇸

We are always looking for ways to make this newsletter better, more entertaining and more informative. As such, we’d love to hear what you enjoy most about USMNT Only, what you don’t and/or what you think makes it unique. Your opinion matters greatly and we’d love for you to help guide this newsletter into 2026, and beyond.

📬 Enjoying USMNT Only? Check out our other MiB newsletters:

🔍 The Correspondent: Rory Smith’s thoughts on the world of soccer, culture, food, and how they all connect – every Thursday.

🐦‍⬛ The Raven: Our Monday and Friday newsletter where we preview the biggest matches around the world (and tell you where/how to watch them) and recap our favorite football moments from the weekend.

🌞 The Women’s Game: Everything you need to know about women’s football, sent straight to your inbox each week.

A Brand New Shop, Some Brand New Gear 🎁 

We're thrilled to unveil the new Men in Blazers store where we'll continue to release apparel, accessories, essentials, and some very special collabs.

The USMNT’s Year in Review 📺

Clint Dempsey joins Rog for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about the state of the USMNT as the road to the 2026 World Cup continues. From the Nations League exit to squad building at the Gold Cup, they break down where this team stands, what still needs to click, and whether the U.S. is truly ready to compete on the world stage.

2026 City Guides: For Fans, By Fans 🍻

The most important tournament in world football is nearly upon us! To celebrate, we are creating Men in Blazers City Guides for all 11 U.S. host cities to help the footballing faithful experience next summer like a local fan.

Do you know one of these host cities like Rog knows Liverpool or Chicago? Now is your chance to tell us what’s great about the place in which you live, what the world should go see, what to eat and drink, where to watch, and how to experience your city.

To tell us (and the footballing world) about your favorite locations, simply click the link below.

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As always, you can send any feedback, thoughts, or odes to the ‘94 denim jerseys to [email protected].