So, you’re a fan of the United States men’s national team and they just lost in embarrassing fashion. In the World Cup, no less. That’s a tough pill to swallow! It feels like almost everything the USMNT has done since losing to Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 and failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup led to this moment, a World Cup on home soil featuring a core of players that have been “the next big thing” in American soccer for their entire playing careers, now all in the prime of their career.
And they failed to meet the moment, almost every one of them in a big and personal way. Another Round of 16 exit at the World Cup. That hurts. I have not felt good about it at all.
However, after my requisite pouting, I realized something: 2030 and beyond is suddenly a huge question mark. Color me intrigued. Most of the key players on this summer’s team will be on the wrong side of 30, where form and athletic ability reliably begin to dip for many players. Christian Pulisic will be 31 at the next World Cup. The same is true of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Antonee Robinson will be 32. Tim Weah will be 30. Every single center back on Mauricio Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup roster will be at least 30 come the next big dance.
Andrew Clausen
And there isn’t another go-to group of players getting their feet wet with the national team that are obviously taking their place, either. The U.S. might not be in for the type of utter and complete rebuild like they were in 2017, but they’re certainly in need of a reset. That excites me.
