Concacaf shake-up: where the USMNT stands after September internationals

With one win and one loss, the USMNT wrapped up the international break on mixed footing. Mauricio Pochettino and his staff, however, say they drew important lessons from the games as they prepare for October’s matches against Ecuador and Australia.

The victory over Japan was a breath of fresh air for the USMNT. Even though Japan is a World Cup qualifier, the Americans’ standing in the FIFA world rankings remains precarious, with Uruguay close behind.

In Concacaf, though, the picture looks a bit brighter. The USMNT lost its No. 1 regional spot months ago, but has begun climbing back into the top tier, albeit still short of where it hopes to be.

This window leaves the U.S. in fourth place, a big jump sparked by the win over Japan. Still, Team USA trails Panama, Canada, and Mexico — all of whom sit in Concacaf’s top 10 worldwide.

The U.S. also regained the spot it had lost to Costa Rica after the Gold Cup. Yet it remains outside the top three, a position the Stars and Stripes had grown accustomed to in recent years.

Concacaf men’s national team ranking after September FIFA window

1- Mexico: 2,024 points

2- Canada: 1,824 points

3- Panama: 1,779 points

4- United States: 1,726 points

5- Costa Rica: 1,691 points

6- Honduras: 1,569 points

7- Jamaica: 1,553 points

8- Haiti: 1,411 points

9- Guatemala: 1,409 points

10- Trinidad and Tobago: 1,319 points

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.