Mystery Drone Buzzes USMNT Training Ahead of Gold Cup Semifinal Clash

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is laser-focused on clinching the Concacaf Gold Cup, but an unexpected visitor buzzed into their St. Louis training grounds just before their pivotal semifinal against Guatemala. A mysterious drone, operated by an unidentified party, hovered over the facility, stirring intrigue and a few chuckles from coach Mauricio Pochettino. "If someone wants clips, we’ll send them—it’s not NASA, just the national team!" he quipped, shrugging off the aerial gatecrasher that eventually landed outside the fenced perimeter.

Adding to the drama, U.S. Soccer staffers are now playing detective, working to identify the rogue drone. The federation had already deployed three drones for practice, so this fourth flyer raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, at ground level, a group was caught attempting unauthorized filming of the session, though it’s unclear if they were connected to the airborne snooper.

Despite the distractions, the USMNT is gearing up for a critical match. The team hasn’t reached the Gold Cup final since their 2021 victory, and Guatemala, a first-time semifinalist, is hungry for an upset. Pochettino also noted uncertainty around midfielder Johnny Cardoso’s availability due to a nagging ankle issue, describing it as "uncomfortable but not a big issue." With the stakes high, the team’s focus remains on the pitch, not the skies.