'Lord of the Flies mentality' - Herculez Gomez slams USMNT generation’s attitude, points to cultural clash with Mauricio Pochettino

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The ESPN analyst criticized the current USMNT squad, suggesting there is a disconnect between the players and coach

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WHAT HAPPENED

Herculez Gomez questioned the mentality of the current USMNT squad, calling players entitled and contrasting them with his generation’s stricter veterans, as he weighed in on Mauricio Pochettino’s early challenges as head coach.

“When I say it's cultural, I don't just mean where he's [Pochettino] from,” Gomez said on the Futbol Americas podcast. “He's played where football is very, very important to society. I also think it's cultural in the sense of this generation these players. They were gifted opportunities at the U.S men's national team."

Gomez contrasted it to what he had to do to earn spots on the U.S. national team.

“The things you had to do to make a U.S men's national team, to make a national team... You had to earn your way, and you had to earn it with the likes of some very important national team players," he said. 

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WHAT GOMEZ SAID

Gomez questioned midfielder Yunus Musah's decision to skip the Gold Cup, suggesting it reflected broader communication issues between players and the new coaching staff - something he said wouldn't have happened previously.

“That would be a tug of the ear [by the veterans] when things didn't go well, that would show you and guide you - these players did not have that," he said. "These players had a 'Lord of the Flies' mentality together in their upbringing with the U.S. men’s national team."

Gomez argued that the lack of veteran presence allowed younger players to develop habits without accountability, which he believes is now surfacing in key moments.

“Yunas seems like a very sweet guy. He seems like he's a hard worker, like he says, everybody likes him, I buy it," he said. "But if you're going to make that decision for yourself, your health, if that's your priority, you have to know, there could be consequences with it."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The current generation of USMNT players has developed in a unique environment with unprecedented European opportunities at young ages. 

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WHAT’S NEXT?

The USMNT will face South Korea on Sept. 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, before taking on Japan on Sept. 9 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.