Through to the next round. Advancing out of the group stage at the World Cup is always a success, but for the United States getting to that last 16 is a valuable point of reference for a team where qualifying is not always guaranteed. Navigating a veteran and gritty Group B, the USMNT scored two goals, gave up one from a penalty, and generally played strong and exciting first halves which led to second halves of substitutions and game management. Fans were left exasperated and scratching their heads.
The latter two games of the group, USA-England and USA-Iran, were hyped and promoted as geopolitical clashes. Fox’s TV coverage constantly flashed not-so-subtle reminders that the USMNT is a representative of the United States on this stage. It’s also a reminder that the politics of the Qatar World Cup are never far away.
The first game of the group against Wales was a wake-up call that soured early hopes but came at the right time for the team, allowing for a response in the next two games. The veteran Welsh, with perhaps too much of a reliance on stars slightly past their prime (no offense to Gareth Bale or LAFC), proved nevertheless to be a hard-working team, encapsulated by their efforts in substituting Kieffer Moore and kicking it long to their lanky striker. This of course paid dividends, with Gareth Bale winning and scoring a penalty to nab Wales their lone point of their first World Cup since 1958! Besides allowing Wales their goal and point, this game also allowed a glimpse of the talent and skill of Timothy Weah, the Lille striker otherwise known as Ballon D’Or winner and President of Liberia George Weah’s son. Good family to have around the USMNT camp. A deft touch with the outside of the boot capped off an example of the decisive and fast play, creatively and skillfully executed, that the team and their young roster need to play with to reach their top potential at this World Cup.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and a celebration of the consumer in the United States, created an exciting atmosphere and drew the most eyes to a men’s soccer broadcast in American history. Being home for the holidays, I watched the game at a bar with friends; a fun atmosphere, though Pittsburgh, like many parts of the US, remains more of an American football town. I wonder how the support for the USMNT will develop as this generation of American stars continues to emerge on a European stage.