Cast your mind back to 2014, and the excitement was palpable. Jurgen Klinsmann, manager of the USA at the time, had written an open letter to employers all across the States, pleading with them to allow their workers time off to watch the team’s crucial World Cup group stage match against Germany.
The USA lost that match, but in the end it didn’t matter, with Klinsmann’s charges pipping Portugal and to a place in the knockout rounds on goal difference. A thrilling encounter with Belgium in the last 16 saw them agonisingly lose out in extra time, but the USMNT had done themselves proud on the world stage, returning to something of a heroes’ welcome in their homeland.
Just over three years later, that joy had turned to pain and confusion. With the 2018 World Cup in Russia beckoning, the USA contrived to miss out on qualification for the first time in 32 years. It was all in their own hands going into the final round of fixtures, with a positive result against group strugglers Trinidad and Tobago all that was needed to book their flights. However, on a nightmarish evening, Bruce Arena’s side lost 2-1, allowing Panama and Honduras to pip them to qualification via wins over Costa Rica and Mexico respectively.
Those wounds have taken a long time to heal, but the USMNT have made amends somewhat by sealing their passage to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and with the tournament now just a matter of weeks away, it will be interesting to see how they fare on the biggest stage once again.
Manager Gregg Berhalter has steadied the ship, and oversaw automatic qualification for the finals in Qatar, and now the former Columbus Crew boss and his side will get the chance to take on some of the world’s best.
Having landed in a group containing England, Iran and Wales, the USA may well fancy their chances of reaching the knockout rounds. Fans will remember the meeting between England and the USA at the same stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Rob Green spilled Clint Dempsey’s shot to give the Americans a share of the spoils in Rustenburg.
England will be heavy favourites for the match in the World Cup betting odds, but the Three Lions’ flaky form in the recent Nations League campaign will give Berhalter and co. hope that this is a team that can be exploited.
Wales, meanwhile, will be under immense pressure, making their first World Cup appearance since 1958, and the USA may feel that they can take advantage against a side who may be suffering from nerves. Indeed, the match against Wales is both teams’ first of the tournament, and Gerhalter’s team will fancy putting their Welsh opponents under the cosh from the outset.
The fixture with Iran is one that will attract attention due to the political history between the two nations, but on the pitch the US will be hopeful of getting the better of Carlos Queiroz’s charges. Iran can be a tough nut to crack, but most will feel they are there for the taking.
If the USA can reach the last 16, it will be a tremendous achievement. There was a huge outcry after the team missed out on Russia four years ago, but that pain can be consigned to the past with some strong performances in Qatar.
