We know the question is fraught with variables, but let’s consider this question during this dead period in world soccer: What should we expect from the United States men’s national team at the home World Cup.
The USMNT will presumably have a ninth World Cup under its belt when it joins Canada and Mexico in hosting the 2026 World Cup.
Expectations will be sky-high for the Yanks, eight years removed from failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament and 22 years after hosting the World Cup that would jumpstart soccer in this country.
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It’s wild to think about a 27-year-old Christian Pulisic leading the Yanks as presumed captain. Health-willing, the winger will be somewhere in the 80-cap range and potentially have a resume as decorated as any in history at his age.
Let’s begin by talking about who will be on the roster, considering we cannot know the identity of the coach or which players will explode onto the scene. Maybe Keegan Rosenberry or Donovan Pines get chances and grasp them. Maybe both disappear from the picture. Six years is a long time, so we’ll stick with the familiar.
Given the tremendous changes at the top of U.S. Soccer and a spirit amongst fans which has been downright venomous, it may be difficult to imagine Gregg Berhalter will still be at the helm unless his side has a remarkable tournament in Qatar, but it’s possible (For what it’s worth, Berhalter’s USMNT playing career happened alongside new USMNT general manager Brian McBride).
So let’s look at the class of players who are in the picture now and would also still be in their primes, assuming health.
Near certainties
We’re lending some leeway to Dest, Weah, and Reyna given their early and impressive starts to careers at elite European clubs, and a little bit to Steffen, too; Whether the Fortuna Dussseldorf loan man is the No. 1 is a conversation to be had, but his experience gives him a foothold as a member of the corps.
- Pulisic, 27
- Weston McKennie, 27
- Tyler Adams, 27
- Zack Steffen, 31
- Giovanni Reyna, 23
- Tim Weah, 26
- Sergino Dest, 25
The wily vets: We know there will be late bloomers and those that play deep into their 30s -- Gyasi Zardes may become the USMNT’s new Chris Wondolowski if he hasn’t already -- but these five names are well-established now and well-liked by the hierarchy.
- Jordan Morris, 31
- John Brooks, 33
- DeAndre Yedlin, 32
- Walker Zimmerman, 33
- Cristian Roldan, 31
Young, experienced, but with questions: It’s a touch harsh to have Sargent here, as recency bias is the challenge (He’s struggled of late but has a very strong resume at Werder Bremen and with the USMNT). He also will have to contend with a pool of very deep and young attackers. Miazga and Horvath also possess the resume and acumen, but there are enough minor questions about playing time -- getting it and keeping it -- at the very top levels of Europe.
- Josh Sargent, 26
- Matt Miazga, 30
- Ethan Horvath, 30
How will they fare with a step up? There’s nothing to dislike about this crew apart from where they are playing now. Cannon, Miles Robinson, and Yueill are in a strengthened MLS but that is still not a guarantee on the international stage. Antonee Robinson was denied a January move to AC Milan, and the Wigan Athletic man is going to get a big look from someone soon since he plays left back. Cannon and he will get a chance almost as soon as the transfer window opens again.
- Reggie Cannon, 28
- Antonee Robinson, 28
- Miles Robinson, 29
- Jackson Yueill, 29
Oh, we sure do hope so: Whether playing on second sides of German powers, dipping their toes in the Premier League like Aston Villa’s Indiana Vassilev, or in a sea of MLS or Eredivisie hopefuls, there are a ton of buoyant young players waiting for their turn on the stage.
We include older Cameron Carter-Vickers due to his loan experience in the Championship, and two names on here are the wildest of wild cards. Folarin Balogun is lighting up the PL2 for Arsenal but has repped England youth since playing for the Americans, while Konrad de la Fuente is training with Barcelona’s first team but there’s a looooong road from Barcelona B to first team playing time.
Even this list leaves off Brandon Servania, James Sands, Charlie Kellman, and a host of others with seemingly effervescent futures.
- Chris Richards, 26
- Indiana Vassilev, 25
- Ulysses Llanez, 25
- Jesus Ferreira, 25
- Konrad de la Fuente, 24
- Paxton Pomykal, 26
- Cameron Carter-Vickers, 28
- Richie Ledezma, 25
- Chris Gloster, 25
- Alex Mendez, 25
- Mason Toye, 27
- Sebastian Soto, 25
- Folarin Balogun*, 24
So what does it mean?
Having already qualified and playing on home soil, the Yanks will be playing in an expanded field. Unless the nation experiences unparalleled drop-offs in form and development, the side will enter the tournament with high expectations at home.
A perceived group of death will no longer be met by “Well, maybe next time.” Questions will be more on defenders than anything else, although the U.S. men have yet to find the latest from the Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller time line of elite backstops (Honorable mention to Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando).
Admitting that the exercise of, “What’s gonna happen in six years?” is rooting deeply in our current soccer landscape’s dormant state, we project the Yanks to be in the knockout rounds with a chance -- however small or large -- to get past whoever gets in their way.