U.S. National Soccer Team prepares for Canada friendly as Pochettino awaits signing; Spain begins UEFA Nations League campaign

Happy Wednesday! We are already halfway through the first of two weeks without European club football. But it’s not all over with the USMNT on the road and European champions Spain back in the UEFA Nations League. I’m Jonathan Johnson here to bring you the latest from the football world midweek.

📺 Footy Fix

All times are US/Eastern Time.

Wednesday, September 4th
🇺🇸 USL League One: Spokane Velocity vs. Union Omaha, 9 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network

Thursday, September 5th
🇪🇺 UEFA Nations League: Portugal vs. Croatia, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ ViX
🇪🇺 UEFA Nations League: Serbia vs Spain, 2:45pm ➡️ FS2
🌎 World Cup Qualifier: Argentina vs Chile, 8pm ➡️ Universo

⚽ Forward Line

🇺🇸 USMNT (still) waiting for the Pochettino era

The U.S. men’s national team returns to action on Saturday in a friendly against Canada, the Stars and Stripes’ first game since a painful Copa América at home this summer. As a result, coach Gregg Berhalter was fired and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. However, with the uncertainty surrounding Team USA since Berhalter’s first exit from the 2022 World Cup, the Argentina coach will not be in charge during the international break, with Mikey Baras leading the team instead.

“There was a general feeling of disappointment in the dressing room after the Copa and we knew we had to put it to bed and go away and reflect.” AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun recently said:. “We’re back for this camp, we’ve had time to think and talk together, and we’ve got two friendly games. As always, when you have the opportunity to wear this jersey, it’s about putting on a show. We don’t treat it as a friendly, we want to make a statement and remind people what we’re doing.”

Coaching uncertainty is not ideal, but U.S. soccer has become accustomed to change over the past few years, with recent appointments being long-term. The friendly between Canada and New Zealand isn’t everything, but it will be valuable for Pochettino to evaluate his new squad during his recent town hall briefing. Veteran U.S. national team defender Tim Ream admitted that the players are basically in the same situation as the fans. They are simply waiting for confirmation of a new coach before getting to work on the World Cup at home in 2026.

“I’ve had a few coaching changes in my career,” says Reem, who recently joined Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC after nine years at Fulham in England. “I think I’ve had 10 or 11 different managers in my club career. I think it’s one of those things where we all naturally try to increase the intensity and focus and put in a little bit more, but at the same time you have to adapt and adjust to a new voice while playing your game and doing what got you there. It’s no different at any level so there’s a fine line and balance between pushing harder and being more focused and pushing harder and at the same time doing what got you there and your game and your style and the way you play. It’s just understanding how much you have to push and where that fine line and balance is.”

Weston McKennie has been sidelined by injury to Tyler Adams, but Varas is a familiar face to the squad that could keep them going until Pochettino arrives. Expected to be San Diego FC manager for the inaugural 2025 season, Varas has been in the American system long enough that it could at least be a continuation of what the players were familiar with before the expected change with Pochettino.

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🔗 Midfield link play

🇪🇺 UEFA Nations League

The UEFA Nations League is the first time all the teams that took part in UEFA Euro 2024 will return to action since the tournament in Germany this summer. As champions, all eyes will be on Spain. Spain will face Serbia in their opening Ligue A Group 4 match, but so will France, who narrowly missed out on Portugal and La Roja. The UNL matches will pave the way for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying to take place over time, but there will be international European football until early 2025.

Spain vs Serbia

It’s been almost two months since Spain were crowned UEFA Euro 2024 champions and La Roja return to action for the first time since then on Thursday at Belgrade’s Rajko Mitić Stadium. Spain are also defending their 2023 Nations League title and have drawn Switzerland, Denmark and this Serbian side in Group 4 of Ligue 1. Luis de la Fuente’s side may be a little rusty having not been together since beating England 2-1 in the Euro final in Berlin in July, but his side have an impressive record of 17 wins from 21 games. Having outdone everyone at the Euros and become the first European nation to win all seven of their games in a major international tournament, the two sides, who sit third in the FIFA World Rankings, have rarely met since they last met in a friendly in 2012.

Portugal vs Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are back in action on Thursday at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz when they face Luka Modric’s Croatia. Both teams struggled at Euro 2024 in Germany. Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-finals after a late comeback, while Vatrenny were narrowly eliminated in the group stage. Roberto Martinez is looking to rejuvenate Portugal after Pepe retired, something Portugal achieved in 2019. With Scotland and Poland in Ligue 1 Group 1, the Seleção will be aiming for top spot, or at least a top-two finish, while their opening opponents are Croatia, a 2023 finalist.

France vs Italy

Kylian Mbappe and France are back in action this week, with Italy visiting the Parc des Princes in Group 2 of Ligue A, which also includes Belgium and Israel. Les Bleus came close but fell short of expectations in Germany, so it was no surprise that Spain edged them out for the title. Didier Deschamps remains as manager and Real Madrid’s Mbappe remains as captain despite a disappointing individual and collective performance considering the talent on offer. The Azzurri would be a good start for France as they head towards Deschamps’ last international as a coach in 2026.

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💰 Backline

💵 Best Choice

• UEFA Nations League: Portugal vs. Croatia, Thursday, 2:45 p.m. ET
  💰 THE PCK: Cristiano Ronaldo will score with an assist from Bruno Fernandes (+600) — Roberto Martinez, who struggled to score at Euro 2024, is taking a gamble on the ageing Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Al-Nassr man looks set to continue his push for the 2026 World Cup. That’s not necessarily good news for the Portugal national team, but the 39-year-old has a habit of scoring goals even when the pressure isn’t that high. He will be the difference as Portugal beat Croatia, with Bruno Fernandes expected to be ready for the only goal of the game.

For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss CBSSports.com’s betting homepage.

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