The U.S. men’s national soccer team is gearing up for an important semifinal match against Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, their preparations were unexpectedly disrupted when a drone was spotted flying near their training facility in St. Louis.
Reports suggest that an unidentified individual was operating the drone, creating a stir among the team. The U.S. Soccer Federation did have three drones deployed for their own use ahead of a practice session, but this fourth drone was not accounted for. Coach Mauricio Pochettino took the incident lightly, joking about the situation and suggesting that if anyone wanted footage, they could simply ask. He emphasized that there was nothing to hide.
The drone eventually landed outside the fenced area of the training grounds. Meanwhile, there was another issue on the ground, as a group of people was asked to stop filming the practice without permission. It remains unclear if this filming was related to the drone incident.
Pochettino also addressed concerns about midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who is dealing with an ankle issue. Cardoso missed the quarterfinal match against Costa Rica, and his availability for the upcoming game is still uncertain.
The U.S. team last reached the Gold Cup final in 2021, where they won the championship. In contrast, Guatemala has never made it to the final of this tournament. As the team prepares for the match, they are focused on overcoming these distractions and aiming for victory.