IRVINE, Calif. – When it comes to the on-field narratives swirling around the U.S. men’s national team ahead of their World Cup opener, there’s been plenty of focus on how they’ll keep the ball out of their own net.
Concern about the team’s lack of quality center backs and, crucially, about Chris Richards' role as he works back from an ankle injury have abounded. Then there’s the uncertainty about the starting goalkeeper that’s continued into the team’s first week at their base camp in sunny Orange County. Richards confirmed on Wednesday that he’s available for the U.S.’s inaugural group stage clash with Paraguay on Friday. Matt Freese, for his part, said on Monday that he had not yet been informed about whether he would be the team’s No. 1. Still, he’ll likely get the nod after starting the USMNT’s World Cup sendoff match against Germany.
With answers coming into focus on the defensive end, then, there’s a different question hovering over the United States ahead of a group stage slate that may see them have to dictate play against all three of Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. That question is one that’s shadowed this team – and the broader U.S. men’s player pool – for a long time.
Can the players consistently create quality chances and score goals?
The World Cup is here. So is our biggest discount ever.
At the 2022 World Cup, the U.S. only conceded one goal in the group stage. But they only scored two, ensuring a tense escape to the knockout rounds. This time around, they’re supposed to advance to that phase of the tournament in a much smoother fashion in hopes of a dream deep run. While eight of out of 12 third-place teams will also advance, winning the group is a very reasonable expectation, and that likely entails two wins and a goal differential cushion to avoid a thornier finale facing a strong Turkish side.
