INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In one year, two months, two weeks and six days, the U.S. men’s national soccer team will return to SoFi Stadium for its 2026 World Cup opener.

It’s a 446-day runway, but because assemblies such as the one that closed with a 2-1 loss to Canada on Sunday are infrequent, Coach Mauricio Pochettino does not have as much time or opportunity as it appears to get things right.

The latest convocation — the Concacaf Nations League final four — did not inspire confidence or excitement. With the World Cup on the horizon, it was downright troubling. Pochettino’s wayward bunch gave another meek performance and finished fourth in a tournament that it won each of the previous three times.

“If we will be in this situation in one year time, for sure, I will tell you, ‘Houston, we have a problem,’ no?” Pochettino said. “SOS.”

Disappointed with Thursday’s semifinal loss to Panama, Pochettino said he wanted to see his team play with greater intensity, focus and bravery. While there was improvement in some areas, the team’s key figures, led by Christian Pulisic, again failed to impress. Unforced errors and defensive shortcomings yielded an abundance of Canadian chances.

Canada went ahead in the 27th minute on Tani Oluwaseyi’s goal, U.S. newcomer Patrick Agyemang tied it eight minutes later, and Jonathan David scored the winner in the 59th.

“You have got to show up in big moments when the moments matter,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “We didn’t show up in this window here. We’ve showed up in the past in moments when we needed to. It’s a learning experience, but we have got to move on.”

Adams said the team is entering a “reflection period.” He added, “We need to obviously come up with a little bit more clarity” in how to move forward.

It was especially disappointing because, for the first time since November, Pochettino welcomed most of his top-shelf players to camp — a group that will form the foundation of his World Cup squad. They were met by high expectations in an official competition with a trophy at stake. Instead of excelling, they flopped.

“It’s not the end of the world for us now,” Pulisic said. “We all have our clubs to focus on and a lot of big, big things ahead. So I’m not overly negative about the situation. It’s difficult. We’re not at our best — that’s it.”

Such opportunities cannot be wasted. Only one tournament — this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup — and 10 friendlies remain before Pochettino selects his roster and prepares for a homestanding World Cup that will thrust U.S. soccer into the global spotlight.

Pochettino is adjusting, too. His portfolio is substantial, but until he accepted the U.S. job in September, he had never guided a national team. Because international windows are periodic, he can’t work with U.S. players on a weekly basis; he monitors their club performances and plans his next training camp.

After a honeymoon period, Pochettino surely will begin to feel the heat from fans and his U.S. Soccer Federation bosses. His team seemed neither synchronized nor confident.

“Now is the time to be calm,” he said. “We need to understand why, for different reasons and circumstances,” his team did not perform well over the past week.

In the wake of the Panama loss, Pochettino made five lineup changes. Two new starters stood out: Agyemang, who scored his third goal in four matches, and Diego Luna, a clever and determined midfielder.

“He’s got heart,” Pulisic said. “I love the way he plays.”

Adams added, “You can see his quality, but he has personality.”

Early, the Americans played with fire but without rhythm. Canada menaced, even without superstar Alphonso Davies, who left injured in the 12th minute.

The Canadians scored first. Ali Ahmed crossed into a crowd. Mark McKenzie blocked David’s shot, which trickled to Oluwaseyi for an easy putaway.

Eight minutes later, the Americans answered with a long, well-crafted buildup culminating with Agyemang’s goal. Luna assisted after making a smart run into a channel and collecting Tim Weah’s piercing pass.

Canada was on its front foot after halftime. Referee Katia Garcia denied two claims for penalty kicks, both involving David making swift runs into the box. After the second, Canada Coach Jesse Marsch charged down the sideline, past Pochettino, while screaming and pointing at Garcia. He was red-carded.

Canada channeled its fury into a goal. David pulled the ball back to create a pocket of space in the box and ripped a 16-yard shot into the far side.

Ten minutes later, Pochettino pulled three top players from the previous World Cup campaign: Pulisic, Adams and Weston McKennie. For the second straight match, Pulisic lacked influence.

“The games have gone by,” he said, “and it just felt like I wasn’t able to really put much mark on the game.”

The Americans played with aggression and desperation down the stretch. Left back Max Arfsten had the best chance to tie it, narrowly missing the far side of the net from 15 yards deep in stoppage time.

The final whistle marked the end of a lost week and the start of a long process to get this team up to speed in time for the World Cup.

“These two games were a wake-up call,” McKennie said. “We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to come together and just win games. We have a year.”

Note: In Sunday night’s final, Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time as Mexico defeated Panama, 2-1.