Men’s United States National Team World Cup 2022 Draw

United States Draw

The United States National Team was one of the three teams to make it out of the CONCACAF division of international soccer. Coming in third, the final guaranteed spot in their division.

The FIFA committee announced the 2022 World Cup groups Friday, April 1. The U.S. was drawn into Group B. The United States has been put into a group with England, Iran and the winner of the European playoff (Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine).

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United States Analysis

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The United States has measured expectations going into Qatar. Their group is not a group of death but it does come with its challenges.

The toughest opponent is obviously England. This England team is a national team with a lot of success in their last two tournaments. England was knocked out of the Semi-Finals in Russia in 2018 and lost in the Final of the European Championship in 2021. However, the last time England and the U.S. matched up was 12 years ago in the 2010 world cup. The teams met in the group stage and drew 1-1.

Moreover, the United States’ other guaranteed opponent is Iran. To put it lightly Iran is not a favorite to win the world cup. They made the world cup which is a feat for a lot of small countries like Iran. The Unites States’ weakness in this matchup is reputation. The United States is not viewed as a juggernaut team and small countries like to elevate their game to get a positive results against teams like the United States.

With all that being said, the U.S. should like their chance against Iran. They need to win against Iran if they want a shot at the knockout stages.

The final opponent in Group B is Unknown. Consequently, it depends on who gets the last spot in the UEFA division of international soccer. The three teams in the running are Ukraine, Scotland and Wales. Furthermore, every one of these teams will provide difficulty in the path to the Knockout Stages.

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Achieving Success

The United States hasn’t played in a significant international tournament in eight years. The team has changed and has brought in a lot of young exciting talent. To get out of the group stage, here are the names you will look for.

Of course, we look at the U.S’s poster boy Christian Pulisic. Pulisic plays for Chelsea, winners of the Champions League (the highest trophy in club soccer). Pulisic will be looked at for inspiration to the national team because of his exposure to the pressure of the big matches and knowing how to navigate an important soccer tournament.

The Chelsea left-winger will provide speed and shiftiness to the United States attack and will be an important part of orchestrating an effective offense. Pulisic at the top of his game can take this team to the knockouts on the offensive side.

In the Midfield, the United States has two names that can take over a game. Weston Mckennie and Tyler Adams, if healthy, will be the expected two in the midfield. Both these players can defend well and add much-needed spacing to the U.S. team. These two also play at top clubs in Europe and have experience playing in important club tournaments.

Finally, the goalkeeper. In 2014, the way the United States made it out of the group stages was due to the heroics of Tim Howard. Tim Howard was able to elevate us because of his world-class goalkeeping. The new keeper is Zack Steffon. The 26-year-old will have a lot to live up to with his predecessor being Howard. If Steffon gets some of the Howard juice, the U.S. will be in good hands.

Conclusion

The United States Men’s National Team heads into the World cup hungry and with a chip on their shoulder. The talent is here, will experience hold the US back, being that this is the first world cup for these players.

12 years later, grouped together again. pic.twitter.com/5XcsOpajts

— USMNT: Qualified. (@USMNT) April 1, 2022