Analysis

3 Good Things (And 3 Bad Things) About USMNT’s World Cup Group

No, this isn’t some cruel April Fools’ Day joke. The USMNT World Cup group really is one perhaps the most interesting possible group the Americans could have drawn on Friday. 

The U.S. will play England, Iran and the winner of the European playoff — Ukraine, Scotland or Wales — in the 2022 World Cup starting in November. It’s a fascinating group for many reasons, and one from which I think most USA fans will expect their team to advance. 

The Door To Qatar: Which Continent Has The Most Difficult World Cup Qualifying Process?

"Absurd" was the word Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci used to describe the UEFA World Cup qualifying process after his team fell to North Macedonia in a single-leg playoff last week. 

"You have to play a single game in which anything can happen as we have seen," the veteran center back said. "There are teams that qualified after losing four or five games; we are at home after losing only one in the 92nd minute. It is truly madness."

American Sports Media Was Apathetic To USMNT Qualifying For World Cup

Four years ago, Taylor Twellman went down in U.S. sports media history with his epic rant screaming “WHAT ARE WE DOING?!” to anyone who would listen after the USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. On Wednesday night, the sports media reaction to the Americans returning to the World Cup was far more muted, almost apathetic in many cases. SportsCenter in particular buried the news deep in its flagship Scott Van Pelt broadcast.  

Let’s Be Honest, Gregg Berhalter Played World Cup Qualifying Almost Perfectly

Since he was hired in 2018, a large section of USMNT supporters have criticized every possible move made by Gregg Berhalter. Whether it was roster selections, tactical decisions or the way he likes to wear nice shoes, some fans always found something wrong with the coach. 

Now that the U.S. has qualified for the 2022 World Cup, I think it’s clear Berhalter coached the qualifying campaign just about as perfectly as any American could reasonably ask for. 

Here’s What USMNT Needs To Do To Qualify For 2022 World Cup

It’s not time to celebrate just yet, but USMNT fans can breathe a little more easily now. What USMNT needs to qualify for World Cup 2022 is to avoid catastrophe on the final day of qualifying. 

Chile And Colombia Eliminated: 6 Legends Who'll Never Play At Another World Cup

With a 2-0 victory over Paraguay in Lima on Tuesday night, Peru clinched fifth place in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying and a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs, knocking out sixth-place Colombia and seventh-place Chile in the process. This marks the end of the road for a couple memorable generations of players for Los Cafeteros and La Roja.

USMNT's 2022 Ghana Scouting Report: Panic! The Black Stars Are Back In The World Cup

Ghana — respected eternal rival of the USMNT and leader in the nations' all-time World Cup series — has secured its place in Qatar, where the Black Stars will undoubtedly meet the Americans, after a heroic elimination of favored Nigeria in Abuja. 

It's Time To Bring Back The Magic To The U.S. Open Cup

After a three-year delay, the most prestigious competition in American soccer is finally back. Now in its 107th iteration, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is older than the Coupe de France, Coppa Italia, NFL and NBA.

It features 91 semi-pro and professional American soccer teams from four divisions and seven leagues, plus a further 12 amateur clubs — good for a total of 103 entrants. 

Canada Might Just Be USMNT’s Greatest Ally — Here’s How They Can Help

The USMNT shouldn’t and doesn’t need help to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Gregg Berhalter’s side controls its own destiny to make it to Qatar this winter. But it’s never a bad idea to have backup plan, and America’s neighbor to the north is on standby to bail the USMNT out should it fail against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica.

7 Days, 12 Can't-Miss World Cup Qualifiers: Your Complete Guide To The Madness

The final major international window before the World Cup begins Monday and lasts through early next week with crucial matches being contested across UEFA, CONMEBOL, Concacaf, CAF, AFC and OFC. We'll know 29 of the 32 competing nations in Qatar after this period, with only the inter-confederation playoffs (two spots) and a delayed European playoff final (one spot) to go. 

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