A Tough Test Awaits the U.S. Men's Team. What's the Bar for Success?

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — It's been nearly two months since we last saw the United States men's national team in action. Expect one thing to remain the same. 

Back in July, the USMNT narrowly lost the Gold Cup final to Mexico in front of a sold-out, heavily pro-El Tri crowd of almost 71,000 in Houston. On Saturday, the Americans are likely to be the away team on home soil once again, with most of the full house at 26,500-seat Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, expected to be rooting for Korea Republic and superstar forward Son Heung-min.

It comes with the territory for the USMNT.

"Whatever stadium we play in … We should be able to perform," U.S. fullback Sergino Dest said Friday.

Perhaps it will even help. 

Son Heung-min and Korea Republic will be a tough matchup for the U.S. men's team. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

With no grueling, marathon World Cup qualifying slate to help prepare them for next summer’s 48-team fútbol fest, Mauricio Pochettino’s team needs all the adversity it can get. Add in the fact that the Koreans, who advanced to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022 before being eliminated by Brazil — boast a deep and talented squad beyond Son.

Saturday’s contest in the shadow of New York City represents an invaluable opportunity.

"South Korea is a very good team, a good challenge for us," Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference.

Dest was one of several U.S. stars left off the Gold Cup roster for a variety of reasons. He's back, as is Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah. So are forwards Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent. And with the planet’s biggest sporting event just six more tuneup matches away, they need to get into the habit of winning as soon as possible. 

The last time a full-strength