CINCINNATI — The Mauricio Pochettino era can’t begin soon enough.
The United States men’s national team closed out the September international window with a disappointing 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Wednesday. It was a match that the U.S. largely controlled, and it deservedly took the lead in the 69th minute thanks to an 11-pass sequence that was ably finished off by substitute Christian Pulisic.
And then, as has often been the case during this cruel summer for the USMNT, it couldn’t close the deal, conceding in bizarre fashion. A long ball in the 89th minute wasn’t dealt with by Caleb Wiley, and Mark McKenzie‘s attempted clearance caromed off New Zealand forward Ben Waine and looped over a stranded Matt Turner and into the U.S. net.
