The U.S. Men’s National Team and the Power of Reflection After Setbacks

Every U.S. soccer fan remembers it: October 10, 2017. The U.S. Men’s National Team lost to Trinidad & Tobago and failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. It was a gut punch. Players were devastated. Fans were stunned. Coaches were left asking: what now?

But here’s the thing about setbacks: they hurt, but they also teach.

“It’s not the defeat itself that defines you, but how you respond to it.”

That moment forced a reset. Since then, the USMNT has rebuilt with a younger core, qualified for Qatar 2022, and is now preparing for 2026 on home soil under new leadership. Mauricio Pochettino — a coach known for emotional intelligence as much as tactics — has called in a hungry group led by Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams.

The failure of 2017 still lingers, but it’s also fuel.

 

Why Setbacks Are Powerful Teachers

Psychologists call this post-traumatic growth — the idea that adversity, when processed intentionally, can actually accelerate development.

A University of North Carolina study found that athletes who reflected on failures developed stronger resilience, higher motivation, and better long-term performance compared to those who only focused on successes.

In short: failure isn’t the end. It’s the feedback.

 

What the USMNT Learned

1. Overconfidence Hurts. Assuming qualification was automatic proved costly.
2. Fresh Energy Matters. A younger generation brought hunger and accountability.
3. Reflection Creates Reset. Coaches and players admitted mistakes and set new priorities.

And now, heading into 2026, the U.S. is embracing those lessons: leadership has shifted, the roster is younger, and reflective practices (both tactical and cultural) are central to Pochettino’s approach.

 

How Grassroots Coaches Can Apply This

Your U12 team won’t face World Cup elimination — but kids will face losses, bad games, and tough stretches. How you help them process those moments determines whether they shrink or grow.

• Normalize Reflection. Losses are expected, not catastrophic. Journal about what was learned.
• Separate Effort from Outcome. Praise resilience and risk-taking even in defeat.
• Create Action Plans. Use journaling to set one small, specific improvement goal for the next week.

This is what the USMNT is doing: turning past wounds into fuel for future growth.

 

The Takeaway

• Setbacks sting, but reflection turns them into growth.
• The USMNT’s 2017 disaster became the foundation for renewal.
• Heading into 2026, players and coaches are applying those lessons on the biggest stage.
• Grassroots coaches can use the same reflection process to help kids bounce back stronger.

 

 Sum Up

• The USMNT’s failure in 2017 forced a cultural reset.
• Reflection has helped the team — and can help your players — process disappointment productively.
• Pochettino’s 2026 squad is proof that setbacks can fuel future success.

 

📓 Journal Exercise

1. After your next loss, ask players to write one sentence about what they learned from the game.
2. Write one note yourself about how you handled the setback as a coach.
3. Reflect: What’s one intentional change you’ll carry into the next session — the way the USMNT carried lessons from 2017 into their 2026 journey?

 

About Chad Zimmerman
Chad Zimmerman is an entrepreneur, youth soccer coach, and the founder of Zone 14 Coaching. He brings decades of leadership experience and a passion for helping kids grow not just as players, but as people. Chad has coached at multiple youth levels and advises businesses in education and sports, always focusing on intentional growth, reflective practices, and empowering others to reach their potential.

About Zone 14 Coaching
Zone 14 Coaching is a platform built for grassroots and youth soccer coaches who want to lead with purpose. Our mission is to make coaching more intentional and impactful by combining practical training resources with reflective journaling. From AI-assisted planning to customizable journals, Zone 14 gives coaches the tools to save time, stay organized, and develop players with both skill and character.

Want to coach with more intention?
Join the movement to bring reflective journaling and intentional coaching to every field. Explore Zone 14’s coaching journals and tools today — and start turning every practice into a chance for growth. Visit Zone 14 Coaching.