2026 World Cup - USA team thread

[LaJollaCreek]

We have talented guys in our team. Tillman is the present and future of our midfield.

We do have talent and Tillman will be a staple on this roster for years to come. What I'm saying is overall Belgium is more talented. It's not really a controversial take either.

 

[KingLando]

We do have talent and Tillman will be a staple on this roster for years to come. What I'm saying is overall Belgium is more talented. It's not really a controversial take either.

At least it shouldn't be
Agreed on Tillman---I thought he was easily our best player throughout the tournament

 

[kgilbert78]

As a kid, I remember attending a match under the lights at the United German Hungarian club in Lower Bucks (I think it was an important youth game, if I recall correctly). You're right, continental Europe definitely has a different concept of "club" than we do.


That's why the idea of promotion/relegation makes sense as it would incentivize additional investment in youth academies since various clubs around the country would now have a pathway of advancement (whether through sales or through promotion with said players). In practice, though, I don't see owners and investors in MLS being willing to install the system.

These days pro/rel just causes a lot of bankruptcies--like Glasgow Rangers to name a big team. The current Rangers is actually a relatively new club with the same name as the old. It does not work in the US system and increasingly is not working in the current European system.

 

[KingLando]

These days pro/rel just causes a lot of bankruptcies--like Glasgow Rangers to name a big team. The current Rangers is actually a relatively new club with the same name as the old. It does not work in the US system and increasingly is not working in the current European system.

Agreed...the US will never implement that in any sport (though I'd love it for FBS)

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

Agreed...the US will never implement that in any sport (though I'd love it for FBS)

In terms of pro sports we really only have the infrastructure to do it for baseball, but still impossible. Way easier in soccer in that every pitch is the same size so you only have to maybe add seating/amenities to meet the standards of the higher league. Expensive, sure, but doable. With baseball, the entire dimensions of every field would have to be reworked to account for major league hitters. Totally impossible.

Doing it for college sports would be amazing. Won’t happen, but still.

Id like individual leagues like the Big 10 to do it for non-revenue sports. It would be cool to see late season wrestling duals, swim meets, etc decide whether you’d drop down to the B League so to speak. That way, you’d be guaranteed to play everyone in your sub-league rather than the unbalanced scheduling we see now

 

[Nittany.Lion]

I did not know the money would be shared.

 

[kgilbert78]

In terms of pro sports we really only have the infrastructure to do it for baseball, but still impossible. Way easier in soccer in that every pitch is the same size so you only have to maybe add seating/amenities to meet the standards of the higher league. Expensive, sure, but doable. With baseball, the entire dimensions of every field would have to be reworked to account for major league hitters. Totally impossible.

Doing it for college sports would be amazing. Won’t happen, but still.

Id like individual leagues like the Big 10 to do it for non-revenue sports. It would be cool to see late season wrestling duals, swim meets, etc decide whether you’d drop down to the B League so to speak. That way, you’d be guaranteed to play everyone in your sub-league rather than the unbalanced scheduling we see now

It essentially exists in college, but on a voluntary basis.

 

[DaytonRickster]

That's what it costs--you either find a way or you don't. It's truly that simple. If you want elite training you pay for it. If you can't then you can't and do the best you can. I can't even imagine how much money was spent on me growing up to play hockey. I spent way more than 300 a month for my kids growing up for their training. That's what parents do. I don't understand why people think everything should be free. You pay for what you get.

I currently have two grandchildren in travel sports: soccer and ice hockey. Soccer costing $10-12 K and ice hockey slightly over $20 K (all costs for these two sports). It is a sacrifice they are able to make but many families cannot.

My wife said the same thing. Out of town tournaments = hundreds of dollars in fuel and hotels. Living in the west, kids have to fly to a lot of tournaments, even league games if you play in something like ECNL. I never want to know the total amount of money we spent on youth sports for two kids. (But a good chunk was worth it).

My gradaughter is in ECNL. Very expensive!

 

[BCS PSU]

Agreed...the US will never implement that in any sport (though I'd love it for FBS)

Also, unlike almost every other English Championship side that has a Premier League-ready stadium, almost no USL team has a MLS-ready stadium. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, which won the USL in 2025, play in a high school stadium at Station Square; the Tampa Bay Rowdies play in the old Al Lang Field where the Cardinals used to have spring training.

There's nothing that would be wrong with the current MLS-USL system if it were used like a true major-minor league like in MLB and the NHL. It's just that the USL teams need to be affiliated with the MLS teams, and then the MLS teams need to promote from within, which hopefully means that most of the promoted players would be promising US players.

We don't need to copy everything that Europeans do regarding this sport because not everything they do is good or works. Also, many of the English Championship and lower teams actually at one time were or still are huge soccer clubs, many of which played in the first division at one time. That's obviously not the case with the USL teams. In fact, many if not most of the MLS teams still need to establish a loyal fan following; MLS teams in major ciities like Boston, NYC and Chicago don't exactly attract huge throngs to their games.

 

[CyphaPSU]

We do have talent and Tillman will be a staple on this roster for years to come. What I'm saying is overall Belgium is more talented. It's not really a controversial take either.

I was not rebutting your posts. Just highlighting a positive for the thread about the USMNT in the wake of Monday's failure.

We don't need to copy everything that Europeans do regarding this sport because not everything they do is good or works. Also, many of the English Championship and lower teams actually at one time were or still are huge soccer clubs, many of which played in the first division at one time. That's obviously not the case with the USL teams. In fact, many if not most of the MLS teams still need to establish a loyal fan following; MLS teams in major ciities like Boston, NYC and Chicago don't exactly attract huge throngs to their games.

It's not about copying Europeans. The pro/rel concept is used by most leagues around the world on every continent (including our own). Even Mexico is returning to it. While not a rule, FIFA does encourage an open, merit-based pyramid structure for domestic soccer. Like I have already stated twice, I do not see pro/rel as a practical reality in the US (financially does not make sense with how we structure pro sports) even if it would come with some benefits.

 

[BCS PSU]

I was not rebutting your posts. Just highlighting a positive for the thread about the USMNT in the wake of Monday's failure.


It's not about copying Europeans. The pro/rel concept is used by most leagues around the world on every continent (including our own). Even Mexico is returning to it. While not a rule, FIFA does encourage an open, merit-based pyramid structure for domestic soccer. Like I have already stated twice, I do not see pro/rel as a practical reality in the US (financially does not make sense with how we structure pro sports) even if it would come with some benefits.

My point was that pro/rel in US soccer just is impossible because the lower level teams do not have either the infrastructure or finances to play first division soccer, and most if not all MLS teams are in no position to be relegated, as it would kill them financially. My guess is that a lot of MLS teams are losing a lot of money as it is.

 

[Grant Green]

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Hope he bounces back and has one last good successful final run. The US sports media hypes people up just waiting to rip them apart. What's even worse is the ex-players who continue to pile on. Happens all over, but it's a hard watch. Plugs Donovan is now like this after he hid his entire career here in the MLS outside of a couple months loan to Everton.

 

[PSUForever]

We have talented guys in our team. Tillman is the present and future of our midfield.

We don't have the required depth and when we say "talented" I still believe our "talented" players have ball skills below most of the starters on the elite teams.

 

[kgilbert78]

Also, unlike almost every other English Championship side that has a Premier League-ready stadium, almost no USL team has a MLS-ready stadium. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, which won the USL in 2025, play in a high school stadium at Station Square; the Tampa Bay Rowdies play in the old Al Lang Field where the Cardinals used to have spring training.

There's nothing that would be wrong with the current MLS-USL system if it were used like a true major-minor league like in MLB and the NHL. It's just that the USL teams need to be affiliated with the MLS teams, and then the MLS teams need to promote from within, which hopefully means that most of the promoted players would be promising US players.

We don't need to copy everything that Europeans do regarding this sport because not everything they do is good or works. Also, many of the English Championship and lower teams actually at one time were or still are huge soccer clubs, many of which played in the first division at one time. That's obviously not the case with the USL teams. In fact, many if not most of the MLS teams still need to establish a loyal fan following; MLS teams in major ciities like Boston, NYC and Chicago don't exactly attract huge throngs to their games.

Here's a list for the Bundesliga, which has only been around since 1964 (before that, the German champion was determined in a playoff between the various regional league winners).

Link

There are 57 teams. Of those, three went bankrupt and disappeared, but were replaced, eventually, with a similarly named team (much like Glasgow Rangers). Three teams are at the 5th division level, one in the 6th, and one in the 7th. 10 are in 4th division leagues, which are largely semi-pro.

 

[BobPSU92]

Oft-injured. He just can’t catch a break.

 

[kgilbert78]

Hope he bounces back and has one last good successful final run. The US sports media hypes people up just waiting to rip them apart. What's even worse is the ex-players who continue to pile on. Happens all over, but it's a hard watch. Plugs Donovan is now like this after he hid his entire career here in the MLS outside of a couple months loan to Everton.

Donovan started with Bayer Leverkusen's second team and played a few games with their first team and also was at Bayern Munich for a spell.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Donovan started with Bayer Leverkusen's second team and played a few games with their first team and also was at Bayern Munich for a spell.

He hid almost his entire career in the MLS. He had a whopping 38 appearances between those 2 clubs and Everton and at the peak off his career he hid in the MLS. Most of those were also loan spells after the MLS season was done. He had closer to 400 appearances in the MLS....so yes he hid in the US.

 

[BCS PSU]

He hid almost his entire career in the MLS. He had a whopping 38 appearances between those 2 clubs and Everton and at the peak off his career he hid in the MLS. Most of those were also loan spells after the MLS season was done. He had closer to 400 appearances in the MLS....so yes he hid in the US.

There's nothing wrong with hiding in the MLS; that league has come a long way since 1996 and it needed players like Donovan and Dempsey to play in it to legitimize it. IMO, it would be best if the vast majority of the USMNT eventually came from the MLS.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

There's nothing wrong with hiding in the MLS; that league has come a long way since 1996 and it needed players like Donovan and Dempsey to play in it to legitimize it. IMO, it would be best if the vast majority of the USMNT eventually came from the MLS.

Dempsey play for years at Fulham and Tottenham. He made an impact there at both clubs. The MLS unless it changes will not help push players in the US against the best competition. Nobody in their right mind believes that or at least that do actually follow the sport. Maybe PSU should play in D2 to get better?

 

[kgilbert78]

He hid almost his entire career in the MLS. He had a whopping 38 appearances between those 2 clubs and Everton and at the peak off his career he hid in the MLS. Most of those were also loan spells after the MLS season was done. He had closer to 400 appearances in the MLS....so yes he hid in the US.

I was correcting your comment that the only place he played outside of MLS was Everton. You are incorrect. He also had about 30 appearances for Leverkusen's second team as a younger player--and he started his pro career in Europe. In those days it was not easy for a US player to get time at a European club. About the only one in that era who was really successful at that was Cherundolo, with over 300 Bundesliga starts, but he started with Hannover 96 when they were in the second division and became so integral to the team they kept him after promotion. Feel free to hate on Landon, but it was a different time.

 

[BCS PSU]

I was correcting your comment that the only place he played outside of MLS was Everton. You are incorrect. He also had about 30 appearances for Leverkusen's second team as a younger player--and he started his pro career in Europe. In those days it was not easy for a US player to get time at a European club. About the only one in that era who was really successful at that was Cherundolo, with over 300 Bundesliga starts, but he started with Hannover 96 when they were in the second division and became so integral to the team they kept him after promotion. Feel free to hate on Landon, but it was a different time.

The fact is that Donovan affected games much more than Pulisic usually does unless he's playing a lesser Serie A team in the first half of the season until he fizzles out like last season.

 

[BCS PSU]

Dempsey play for years at Fulham and Tottenham. He made an impact there at both clubs. The MLS unless it changes will not help push players in the US against the best competition. Nobody in their right mind believes that or at least that do actually follow the sport. Maybe PSU should play in D2 to get better?

I know that Dempsey played at Fulham and Tottenham and that one of his Fulham teams even made it to the UEFA Final or whatever it was called back then.

Obviously, the MLS is not where it needs to be right now but it's getting better yearly. My hope is that it eventually can approach being a top six league in the world, which isn't impossible.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

I was correcting your comment that the only place he played outside of MLS was Everton. You are incorrect. He also had about 30 appearances for Leverkusen's second team as a younger player--and he started his pro career in Europe. In those days it was not easy for a US player to get time at a European club. About the only one in that era who was really successful at that was Cherundolo, with over 300 Bundesliga starts, but he started with Hannover 96 when they were in the second division and became so integral to the team they kept him after promotion. Feel free to hate on Landon, but it was a different time.

Dempsey was in the same exact era and had 72 goals in the UK and had 218 appearances. Claudio Reyna was there years prior to that generation playing all over at Wolfsburg and then even captained Man City for a while. Quite a bit of that 94 team also played in Europe too. Harkes, Ramos, Lalas, Stewart....etc. also played throughout Europe. I'm Claudio's age and from a much smaller town in NJ that had Hamburg come over and take a US born player in the 8th grade to join their academy in the 80's. You pointing out short stints didn't change the fact Donovan could have played more in Europe and passed it up.

The MLS did hamper his ability to get signed, but not due to skill, but they needed his face for the league. For anyone that actually does follow the sport like you do as well.....you know where the best players cut their teeth and play at. If you think those loan stints and him not cutting it at Bayern moved my needle, you're incorrect. Whether it's Donvan, Howard, Roy Keane, Gary Neville.....ex players piling on after a loss to get views is stupid to me as they know better, but they need to stay relevant with a hot take.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

The fact is that Donovan affected games much more than Pulisic usually does unless he's playing a lesser Serie A team in the first half of the season until he fizzles out like last season.

Playing in a weaker league against weaker competition doesn't make people better. Playing for less money to do this is hardly an incentive as well. Hmmmmm, go to Italy and play for AC Milan or Chelsea in the UK......or in Charlotte for less money....hmmm? Tough call. I mean honestly if you think this is some path you can run with it as it's not going to stop the best players going to the best clubs and leagues. Have at it, it's like wishing Santa was real or something...it's just not a reality.

 

[BCS PSU]

Playing in a weaker league against weaker competition doesn't make people better. Playing for less money to do this is hardly an incentive as well. Hmmmmm, go to Italy and play for AC Milan or Chelsea in the UK......or in Charlotte for less money....hmmm? Tough call. I mean honestly if you think this is some path you can run with it as it's not going to stop the best players going to the best clubs and leagues. Have at it, it's like wishing Santa was real or something...it's just not a reality.

Playing in the MLS certainly hasn't hurt Messi, who's playing better soccer now than he did at the end of his tenure with PSG despite being close to 40.

Also, I said that the MLS needs to continue to improve, which it has. I also said that it's my hope, repeat hope, that eventually the MLS will develop to a point in which most of the USMNT will play in it, because I think that it's always best to have most of your national team players playing in your domestic league.

Finally, obviously, the MLS isn't comparable to the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga and probably even Serie A. However, IMO, it's not that far behind the other major European leagues and even the English Championship.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Playing in the MLS certainly hasn't hury Messi, who's playing better soccer now than he did at the end of his tenure with PSG despite being close to 40.

Also, I said that the MLS needs to continue to improve, which it has. I also said that it's my hope, repeat hope, that eventually the MLS will develop to a point in which most of the USMNT will play in it, because I think that it's always best to have most of your national team players playing in your domestic league.

Wow, ahhh yes it's the MLS that lifted Messi....where as PSG slowed him down. He used the MLS as a retirement package, but you want to pretend they developed Messi....incredible. Messi doesn't play in Argentina. Ronaldo hasn't played in Portual in 2 decades. Harry Kane is Germany. Haaland is in England. Mbappe is in Spain.

Let me just clear this up for you, it's not a reality at all of that occurring. The best players in the world all travel and play at the best clubs against the best competition. That is what the best actually want to do. You can keep hoping and repeating this, but Pulisic will be in the MLS when he sees his career sliding or they offer him a sweetheart ownership deal like they have to some other stars....like Messi and Beckham. I go to MLS matches, but I've also gone to EPL and championship matches.....it's just different. It's faster, more technical, and a better atmosphere. The MLS as it is setup today will not overtake any of the big leagues....you can keep hoping and saying this, but it's not going to happen. If you don't want to hear that or cannot understand it....that isn't on me.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Playing in the MLS certainly hasn't hurt Messi, who's playing better soccer now than he did at the end of his tenure with PSG despite being close to 40.

Also, I said that the MLS needs to continue to improve, which it has. I also said that it's my hope, repeat hope, that eventually the MLS will develop to a point in which most of the USMNT will play in it, because I think that it's always best to have most of your national team players playing in your domestic league.

Finally, obviously, the MLS isn't comparable to the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga and probably even Serie A. However, IMO, it's not that far behind, if it even is behind, the other European leagues and even the English Championship.

Very true. I'll also say that I'd rather guy get minutes in MLS than head to Europe to ride the pine at a bigger club. Guys like Slonina, Miazga, Turner, etc would imo have been better off playing every week in MLS than sitting and not developing. It's not just about getting to Europe, it's about getting to the right spot in Europe. Really hope that Cavan Sullivan doesn't end up in the same boat in two years with heading to such a big club, as we need him playing meaningful games and developing.

The level of play in MLS gets better every year. It's not at the level of the top 5 leagues (and won't be for a long time)...but there are guys throughout the World Cup making an impact from leagues like Turkey, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Portugal, etc. Those leagues are much closer to the MLS level.

 

[BCS PSU]

Very true. I'll also say that I'd rather guy get minutes in MLS than head to Europe to ride the pine at a bigger club. Guys like Slonina, Miazga, Turner, etc would imo have been better off playing every week in MLS than sitting and not developing. It's not just about getting to Europe, it's about getting to the right spot in Europe. Really hope that Cavan Sullivan doesn't end up in the same boat in two years with heading to such a big club, as we need him playing meaningful games and developing.

The level of play in MLS gets better every year. It's not at the level of the top 5 leagues (and won't be for a long time)...but there are guys throughout the World Cup making an impact from leagues like Turkey, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Portugal, etc. Those leagues are much closer to the MLS level.

I totally agree with what you said in your first paragraph and previously have posted the same sentiment.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Very true. I'll also say that I'd rather guy get minutes in MLS than head to Europe to ride the pine at a bigger club. Guys like Slonina, Miazga, Turner, etc would imo have been better off playing every week in MLS than sitting and not developing. It's not just about getting to Europe, it's about getting to the right spot in Europe. Really hope that Cavan Sullivan doesn't end up in the same boat in two years with heading to such a big club, as we need him playing meaningful games and developing.

That is a different conversation when it comes to gettting time. The players that can and do play at the highest level are much better off in Europe. Better coaching, facilities, and competition. It's not even close.

If you're riding the pine by all means move...MLS, Mexico, Belgium....where ever, but name one world star who has come to the US in his prime to get better? They see the MLS as a retirement home just like the Saudi league, but the MLS isn't paying those Saudi dollars with 100 million+ dollar contracts. The MLS is giving ownership pieces to the global stars like Beckham or Messi.....so yeah....it was worth it to them. They also come over super late in their careers when they are struggling there and still dominate the MLS by a country mile. Sullivan will get loaned out I imagine when he gets there or will be on the academy team so he will get on the pitch at that point. If he stayed and floundered in the MLS at his age with this talent, what a waste. If you cannot make it in Europe in todays game, you aren't going to help the USMNT for the most part get better.

Appearances by US players so they aren't ones riding the pine, they are on the pitch against better competition as you're simply not good enough to play against the best in the world. I want the US to get better, but know playing down a league is sandbagging.

McKennie 46
Tillman 42
Pulisic 38
Weah 36
Dest 36
Trusty 37
Scally 35
Richards 33
Pepi 32
Adams 26 (injuries held him back, can happen here too)
Robinson 24 (injury stretch there, but is the RB when healthy for years now at Fulham)

 

[kgilbert78]

Dempsey was in the same exact era and had 72 goals in the UK and had 218 appearances. Claudio Reyna was there years prior to that generation playing all over at Wolfsburg and then even captained Man City for a while. Quite a bit of that 94 team also played in Europe too. Harkes, Ramos, Lalas, Stewart....etc. also played throughout Europe. I'm Claudio's age and from a much smaller town in NJ that had Hamburg come over and take a US born player in the 8th grade to join their academy in the 80's. You pointing out short stints didn't change the fact Donovan could have played more in Europe and passed it up.

The MLS did hamper his ability to get signed, but not due to skill, but they needed his face for the league. For anyone that actually does follow the sport like you do as well.....you know where the best players cut their teeth and play at. If you think those loan stints and him not cutting it at Bayern moved my needle, you're incorrect. Whether it's Donvan, Howard, Roy Keane, Gary Neville.....ex players piling on after a loss to get views is stupid to me as they know better, but they need to stay relevant with a hot take.

Again, I was correcting your comment about Everton being the only place he played.

So who was the guy from Joisey?

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Again, I was correcting your comment about Everton being the only place he played.

So who was the guy from Joisey?

Local guy who came back after 4 years there to play at Clemson. Seitz was his last name, left after 8th grade and then came back for college. We ended up playing and absolutely whacking their B team when they came over for some summer friendlies only to get killed by a Scottish side 2 years younger at the time, but the Scottish side also had the NJ POY and a few other additions.

 

[kgilbert78]

Local guy who came back after 4 years there to play at Clemson. Seitz was his last name, left after 8th grade and then came back for college. We ended up playing and absolutely whacking their B team when they came over for some summer friendlies only to get killed by a Scottish side 2 years younger at the time, but the Scottish side also had the NJ POY and a few other additions.

We had some lower level pros at my HS--but that was before MLS. Though the current interim Union coach played at my HS.

 

[BobPSU92]

Mauricio Pochettino to make decision on USMNT future next week

Mauricio Pochettino said he will make a decision regarding his future as coach of the United States national team next week.

www.espn.com

 

[DaytonRickster]

Mauricio Pochettino to make decision on USMNT future next week

Mauricio Pochettino said he will make a decision regarding his future as coach of the United States national team next week.

www.espn.com

If he likes a big challenge, he stays on.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

A far better analysis of the USA development, as well as development in other countries, than was previously debated in this thread.

The USMNT's struggles at the World Cup can't be fixed by overhauling youth development

Everyone thinks they can fix the USMNT. But maybe the U.S. is actually making progress and luck just hasn't been on its side -- what then?

www.espn.com

 

[BobPSU92]

Norway FA chief to file ethics complaint, says FIFA's Infantino must admit Folarin Balogun 'error'

The president of the the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) said she will ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint over the suspension of Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban.

www.espn.com

 

[kgilbert78]

Norway FA chief to file ethics complaint, says FIFA's Infantino must admit Folarin Balogun 'error'

The president of the the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) said she will ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint over the suspension of Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban.

www.espn.com

This is the meme. But ... it's not 100% accurate. FIFA already did this for CR 7 at the beginning of the tournament. He should have been suspended for the first two games, due to a nasty red card that got him a three game suspension, one of which he served, but FIFA couldn't stand to have one of the biggest stars miss out. The US president had nothing to do with that. The CR 7 move is what opened the door to what happened with Balogun.

BTW, I think both should have served their suspensions. Then there never would have been a question raised. CR 7 set a terrible precedent.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

This is the meme. But ... it's not 100% accurate. FIFA already did this for CR 7 at the beginning of the tournament. He should have been suspended for the first two games, due to a nasty red card that got him a three game suspension, one of which he served, but FIFA couldn't stand to have one of the biggest stars miss out. The US president had nothing to do with that. The CR 7 move is what opened the door to what happened with Balogun.

BTW, I think both should have served their suspensions. Then there never would have been a question raised. CR 7 set a terrible precedent.

Both should not have played for sure, but one was in the middle of the World Cup where the host nations President called in a favor. The other was FIFA bending over backwards to protect their brand ahead of their global show.....both are awful reasons that go against the spirit of the game. Just another case of awful leaderships doing corrupt things.

 

[PSUForever]

A far better analysis of the USA development, as well as development in other countries, than was previously debated in this thread.

The USMNT's struggles at the World Cup can't be fixed by overhauling youth development

Everyone thinks they can fix the USMNT. But maybe the U.S. is actually making progress and luck just hasn't been on its side -- what then?

www.espn.com

It is interesting that one key factor in the USMNT not being stronger and more competitive versus the top teams is Reyna and Pulisic never reached superstar status. Haaland and Odegaarde have and therein lies the difference in the two teams, U.S. and Norway. Luck is involved. Did the Patriots really think Tom Brady would be, well Tom Brady?