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Mauricio Pochettino was blunt in his assessment of American soccer talent.
“We are the United States and we compete against Belgium and Portugal,” the American coach said after a pair of friendly losses in March. “I think, without a doubt, that Belgium and Portugal have some or some players playing [who are] in that top 100 [I don’t think we have that]”.
No Americans were in the top 100 when The Guardian published its annual list in December. Christian Pulisic was ranked 116th in voting by a panel of 219 former players, coaches, coaching staff and media. Tim Weah was next at number 183.
Spain ranked 14th in the top 100, France at 10th, Brazil and England nine each, and Argentina and Portugal eight each.
“I don’t think our talent is anywhere near any less than any other country, in my humble opinion,” said retired U.S. forward Jozy Altidore. “I think we’re just as talented. So for me, I’m that crazy guy. I believe, and I know the players believe, but why not? Why not us?”
American players and staff are thinking big, hoping the red and white and blue can win their first World Cup title or at least reach the semifinals for the first time since 1930.
The Americans still have to prove themselves to much of the soccer world.
“We want to do this for ourselves. We want to do this for our own country. We don’t need to prove it to anyone else,” Pulisic said. “We have good players, really good players who play in the best clubs in the world. We have a good team and, yes, we are going to do our best to prove that we are right more than anything.”
Tyler Adams, captain in 2022 and the team’s best defensive midfielder, believes the goal is “to go as far as any team has gone before.”
“I feel like it’s been a while since we beat a big guy,” he said. “I think we have to try to find that in our character and I think we will.”
The United States has won only 1 World Cup qualifying match
Dreams and reality collided for the United States at the World Cup. The Americans are 1-7 in World Cup qualifying matches, their only victory coming over regional rival Mexico in 2002 before losing in the quarterfinals to Germany.
Since then, they lost in the round of 16 in 2010, 2014 and 2022, failed to advance from the group stage in 2006 and did not even qualify for 2018.
Despite the lack of pedigree, Pochettino told the players in March that they could win the title.
“Why not us? Why not us? Why not us?” said. “We need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream.”
Only a handful of players in the best European clubs
Christian Pulisic and Team USA were eliminated in group play at the 2024 Copa América. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In 2021, Pulisic became the first American to play in and win a European Champions League final, helping Chelsea win the title. He is one of six players who will participate in the World Cup in the United States for clubs ranked in the top 40 according to the UEFA coefficient, and he spent the last three seasons wearing the number 30 for AC Milan.
That list includes midfielder Malik Tillman (No. 9 Bayer Leverkusen), midfielder Weston McKennie (No. 25 Juventus), defender Sergiño Dest and forward Ricardo Pepi (No. 26 PSV Eindhoven) and defender Alex Freeman (No. 39 Villarreal).
Decline of American goalkeepers
Goaltending, once an American strength with Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard starting for English teams, is now a weakness. This will be the first time a Major League Soccer goalkeeper appears for the United States in a World Cup.
“Goaltending is definitely a concern,” said former U.S. midfielder Stu Holden, now a commentator for FOX. “We haven’t had a top goalkeeper in a few years, but you still have the opportunity to change the perception of who you are with a tournament.”
Matt Freese, the likely starter, made his international debut last June and has only 15 appearances.
“Not really, I don’t really listen to anyone outside of the guys with me and the coaching staff,” he said.
Crowd perks on the home field for a change
The U.S. team often plays home games in front of crowds with most cheering for the opponent, which occurred during games against Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Morocco, South Korea and Turkey.
“Americans are kind of fans who show up and go to the big things even if they don’t love football,” McKennie said. “At any big event, we know how to put on a show and we know how to be present, so I think that’s a big advantage.”
Information from The Associated Press.
