The USMNT are looking for vindication in the Qatar 2022 World Cup after failing to qualify for Russia 2018. So far, so good. Gregg Berhalter’s team remainundefeated after two ties (Wales, England) and a crucial win in the last match against Iran (1-0). Now, they’re one step closer of hoisting the trophy.
For the USMNT, it’s not only about trying to become World Champions in 2022. The fact is that a very young generation of players is having their first real test towards the main goal: 2026. Less than four years from now, the United States will be host nation with Mexico and Canada. That’s the dream.
Considering that scenario, the United States presented in Qatar their second-youngest roster in tournament’s historywith an average age of25 years, 175 days. For the first time ever, three U-20 players wereon the final list of aWorld Cupwith the USMNT.Joe Scally(19 years and 313 days), Yunus Musah(19 years and 345 days) andGio Reyna(19 years and 361 days). They want to make history.
What is the best performance of the USMNT in a World Cup?
Prior to2018, the USMNThad qualified for sevenconsecutiveWorld Cups(1990-2014) after four decades of missing the tournament (1950-1990). The best participation for theUnited Stateswas inUruguay 1930when they reached the semifinals and finished as third-place.
Though the third place in 1930 was a remarkable achievement, it’s important to emphasize thatthere were only 13teamsand all of them arrived by invitation. The first World Cup ever was the only one with no qualifiers and, when Uruguay was selected as the host country, many European contenders declined to participate.
After Uruguay 1930, the United States failed to surpass the groupstage in their next three appearances: 1934, 1950 and 1990. Their breakthrough achievementin modern years came as host in 1994 when they reached the Round of 16, but were eliminated by the eventual champion: Brazil. In 2002, the USMNT had their second-best performance in history reaching the quarterfinals.
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