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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>USMNT went down 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago</li><li>Lalas critiqued USMNT's performance</li><li>Voiced concerns about the team's depth </li></ul>

'Not as good as we thought' - Alexi Lalas brutally cuts USMNT down to size after shock Nations League defeat to Trinidad and Tobago

The former USMNT player<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-winners-losers-trinidad-tobago/bltfb5f3eff4a0dd225" target="_blank"> labelled the 2-1 loss</a> as a concerning indicator of the team's overall quality. Despite advancing to the Nations League semifinals with a 4-2 aggregate win, Lalas questioned the team's depth beyond elite players, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-gregg-berhalter-rips-sergino-dest-over-inexcusable-red-card/bltf643cffbec82a37f" target="_blank">highlighting their vulnerability when key individuals are unavailable.</a> He challenged the notion that the team is as formidable as perceived, leading to a broader conversation <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-tim-ream-sergino-dest/blt18867f01ec14e094" target="_blank">about realistic expectations</a> for the upcoming 2026 World Cup and the Copa America.

WHAT HAPPENED?

While speaking on his State of the Union podcast, he said: "We as an American soccer community leading up to 2026 may have to come to terms with this team, when all is said and done, might not be as good as we thought. I know that's a difficult thing to hear - it is a difficult thing to say given all of the talent we have, all of the pathways, all of the success and let's be honest, all the expectation we have for this group. Is that unfair? Or is that lowering expectations going to hurt this group going forward?"

WHAT LALAS SAID ABOUT THE USMNT

Star players Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams were absent in the recent defeat to Trinidad &amp; Tobago. This prompted Lalas to raise concerns about the lack of depth of this team and insisted that there must be serious questions asked before the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup."I will say that all of the talk of the depth and all of the talk of all of this talent, I think we are finding out now on multiple occasions that once we get past those elite players, or as has happened in this window - some of those players aren't available, we become very mediocre very quickly," he said."Does it mean we can't beat great teams? Does it mean we can't have great moments? No."But this whole foundation has been built on winning a World Cup, on the premise that these players are so much better and there are so many more of them.&nbsp;"Not saying I yet believe this but it is a question that needs to be asked if our expectations are out of whack with what the reality is when it comes to this team. It's an important conversation to have leading up to next summer and 2026."

LALAS WANTS A REALITY CHECK

The Copa America next summer will serve as a vital test for the USMNT, providing insights into the team's progress and capabilities against top-tier competition. Lalas's critique sparks a necessary conversation about the team's true potential and the expectations surrounding their performance in major tournaments.

WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?

'Not as good as we thought' - Alexi Lalas brutally cuts USMNT down to size after shock Nations League defeat to Trinidad and Tobago | Goal.com US

Alexi Lalas brutally criticised the USMNT after shock Nations League defeat to Trinidad and Tobago.

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