U.S. Squad Can’t Stop Red-Hot Switzerland, Fall 4-0 at GEODIS Park in Nashville

NASHVILLE (June 10, 2025) - The United States Men’s National Team were outshone by a red-hot and experienced Switzerland team, conceding four first-half goals in front of 20,602 fans at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn. It was the third straight win for Switzerland, currently No. 20 in the FIFA world rankings. Murat Yakin’s group is coming off a 4-2 victory over defending Concacaf Gold Cup champions Mexico.

Pochettino made nine changes to the group that started against Türkiye this past Saturday. The Starting XI Tuesday night averaged 18 caps, just five more than the average from the window’s opening match against Türkiye (13).

Starters featured midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, son of former U.S. international and USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, who made his USMNT debut. Brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both got the start, becoming the fourth brotherly duo in U.S. history to start the same match. Defender Nathan Harriel and midfielder Quinn Sullivan, both of Philadelphia Union, collected their first career starts after making their debuts off the bench Saturday.

High positioning produced some good combinations for Pochettino’s group in the opening minutes, including a backheeled pass from Brenden Aaronson to setup Max Arfsten for a counter. The experienced Swiss midfielders found time and space, which ultimately led to the opening goal in the 12th minute. A deflected pass found the feet of Swiss forward Dan Ndoye, whod elivered a firm strike toward the far post past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Moments later, the United States nearly evened the match after being awarded a free kick in their attacking half. Berhalter’s assured, right-footed strike was on its way toward the side netting until goalkeeper Gregor Kobel came to the rescue for Switzerland and made the save to preserve his team’s early lead.

It was the best moment for the United States in the first half, and the Swiss soon doubled the lead. After a long switch, Johan Manzambi made the most of his time, skillfully dribbling into dangerous territory. His short cross laid out a tap-in for Michel Aebischer, and the United States trailed 2-0 in the 23rd minute.

Ten minutes later, Switzerland found another goal.The United States lacked pressure as the Swiss organized their attack, which allowed for Ricardo Rodríguez to take a crack at goal uncontested. Turner stretched out to save the initial shot, but Breel Embolo of AS Monaco took care of the rebound to put Switzerland ahead 3-0.

Things grew more difficult for the United States when Switzerland scored again in the 36th minute. Following a turnover, Manzambi’s first touch was quality, as was the shot he fired into the upper left corner to secure the 19-year-old’s first international goal.

Facing a considerable deficit, the United States reset behind five halftime substitutions. Diego Luna, John Tolkin, Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyemang and Tim Ream all entered the match to start the second half.

With some fresh legs, the United States clamped down defensively, not allowing Switzerland to create as many chances, and brought more intensity to their attack. They were able to push the ball forward, which put Agyemang in position to battle through some tough one-on-one situations. In the 60th minute, the United States nearly capitalized on a dangerous cross into the box from Tillman.

Tuesday’s match against Switzerland sends the USMNTon their quest for an eighth Concacaf Gold Cup title. Group play kicks off June 15 for the U.S. against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, Calif., and continues June 19 against Saudi Arabia at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas and June 22 against Haiti at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Goal Scoring Rundown

SUI – DAN NDOYE, 13th minute: Switzerland, with time and space, tried to slip a ball in behind the United States’ backline. The ball caught a deflection, and Dan Ndoye cleaned up the loose ball to open the scoring. SUI 1, USA 0

SUI – MICHEL AEBISCHER (JOHAN MANZAMBI), 23rd minute: Johan Manzambi received a long switch and took his defender one-on-one toward goal. After some deft work and a stepover move, Manzambi sent a short cross into the box. Michel Aebischer put it away for the second goal in 10 minutes for the Swiss. SUI 2, USA 0

SUI – BREEL EMBOLO, 33rd minute: Matt Turner stretched out to block a shot on goal from the Swiss. The rebound bounced to Breel Embolo in the area, and the forward rolled it in from close range. SUI 3, USA 0

SUI –JOHAN MANZAMBI (ARDON JASHARI), 36th minute:In control, Switzerland scored their fourth goal of the night and the second goal in a three-minute span. Manzambi carried the ball into the middle of the pitch, then put it in the top corner of the frame with his left foot for his second goal contribution of the match. SUI 4, USA 0

Additional Notes

• Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter made his USMNT debut. The son of former U.S. international and USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, the Berhalters become the seventh father-son combination to play for the U.S. Men’s National Team. 
• Brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson became the fourth brother duo to start the same match and do so almost 100 years to the day of the first instance when Archie and Tommy Stark started an away friendly at Canada on June 27, 1925 in Montreal. They’re joined by James and Russ Murphy (June 22 and July 6, 1957 vs. Canada), and George and Louis Nanchoff (Feb. 11, 1979 vs. Soviet Union). 
• Walker Zimmerman anchored the backline for Pochettino. A late addition to June camp, the Nashville SC center back started his second international match in 2025 at his club’s home stadium of GEODIS Park.
• Forward Damion Downs made his debut for the USMNT when he entered the match as a substitute in the 75th minute. The first-time call-up tallied 10 goals in 29 matches to help FC Köln re-gain promotion to the German Bundesliga.
• Tyler Adams was unavailable after coming on as a halftime substitute on Saturday against Türkiye. The midfielder suffered a minor foot injury that kept him out of the match.
• The most senior member of the starting XI, 30-year-old Matt Turner, earned the start in goal and wore the captain’s armband after Matt Freese started Saturday’s match against Türkiye. It was cap No. 52 for Turner.
• The USMNT’s only win in 10 all-time meetings with Switzerland was a 1-0 win in Basel in 2007 (D4 L4). The USMNT has not won any of its four home matches against Switzerland (D3 L2), the only opponent the U.S. has hosted at least four times without ever recording a win.

-U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-

Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Switzerland
Date: June 10, 2025
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: GEODIS Park; Nashville, TN
Attendance: 20,602
Kickoff: 7:07 p.m. CT
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny

Lineups:
USA: 1-Matt Turner (Capt.); 20-Nathan Harriel, 22-Mark McKenzie, 5-Walker Zimmerman, 27-Max Arfsten (2-John Tolkin, 46’); 15-Johnny Cardoso, 8-Sebastian Berhalter (9-Damion Downs, 75’); 21-Paxten Aaronson (10-Diego Luna, 46’), 11-Brenden Aaronson (13-Tim Ream, 46’), 7-Quinn Sullivan (17-Malik Tillman, 46’); 23-Brian White (24-Patrick Agyemang, 46’)

Substitutes not used: 25-Matt Freese, 26-Chris Brady, 3-Chris Richards, 6-Jack McGlynn, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 16-Alex Freeman, 19-Haji Wright

Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

SUI: 1-Gregor Kobel; 24-Isaac Schmidt (2-Lucas Blondel, 65’), 4-Nico Elvedi (25-Aurèle Amenda, 72’), 5-Manuel Akanji (26-Stefan Gartenmann, 46’), 13-Ricardo Rodríguez (17-Miro Muheim, 46’); 10-Granit Xhaka (15-Djibril Sow, 66’);9-Johan Manzambi, 18-Ardon Jashari (8-Remo Freuler, 84’), 20-Michel Aebischer (23-Zeki Amdouni, 72’), 11-Dan Ndoye; 7-Breel Embolo

Substitutes not used: 3-Silvan Widmer, 21-Marvin Keller, 16-Vincent Sierro, 22-Fabian Rieder, 14-Cédric Zesiger, 12-Yvon Mvogo, 19-Ulisses Garcia
Head coach: Murat Yakin

Stats Summary: USA / SUI
Shots: 7 / 12
Shots on Goal: 0 / 7
Saves: 3 / 0
Corner Kicks: 1 / 7
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 1 / 2

Officials:
Referee: Andrew Samuel (TRI)
Assistant 1: Jessica Morales (MEX)
Assistant 2: Elva Gutierrez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Chris Mason (JAM)