USA World Cup 2022 Preview: Young Squad Ends Eight-Year Wait

The U.S. men are back at the World Cup after missing out in 2018, turning the page on an aging group with a young core that’s achieved plenty at some of Europe’s top clubs.

Call it vindication, or vengeance, or the USMNT’s rendition of the “Redeem Team.” The Americans are back on the big stage after a disastrous qualifying campaign left them watching the 2018 tournament from home. 2022’s qualifying run wasn’t always pretty, but key results against Mexico and Concacaf’s weaker teams gave the U.S. enough cushion to secure a spot in this year’s World Cup.

It’s been a long journey from the embarrassment in October 2017, one that began with the hiring of Gregg Berhalter in December of the following year. Since then, the U.S. has developed a number of young promising prospects into stars and built a squad capable of winning every Concacaf competition.

In June 2021, the U.S. beat Mexico in a thrilling Nations League final, then just weeks later topped El Tri again in the Gold Cup final with a markedly different squad. Pair those results with a win over Mexico in qualifying, and the Americans picked up three consecutive wins against their neighborly rivals for the first time since 2007.

While this U.S. team is talented, there are plenty of question marks heading into Qatar. The largest of them all is the revolving door at striker, while in the back, emerging center backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards are out injured and will miss the World Cup, leaving that position thinned out. Matt Turner has picked up most of the starts recently in goal, but he’ll have to shake off the rust collecting while he largely sits on Arsenal’s bench.

Berhalter will have a lot of sorting out to do before Nov. 21 vs. Wales, and recent results show it. In the final two friendlies before Qatar, the U.S. was handily beaten 2–0 by Japan, and then failed to impose itself against Saudi Arabia in a 0–0 draw. But all the pre-tournament noise will be drowned out by excitement come kickoff in Qatar: the U.S. men are back in the World Cup.

Group B Schedule (all times Eastern)

- Wales, Nov. 21, 2 p.m.

- England, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.

- Iran, Nov. 29, 2 p.m.

Coach

Gregg Berhalter, hired in December 2018

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire/Imago Images

Players to Watch

Christian Pulisic, forward

The star of this generation of American players finally gets his shot at a World Cup. Pulisic has struggled to find his footing at Chelsea over the last year, but his pace and decisiveness make him one of Group B’s most dangerous attackers.

Tyler Adams, midfielder

Adams is the man that makes this midfield go. The Leeds United player was a steady presence for the U.S. throughout qualifying as the deepest lying midfielder. Adams will need to provide plenty of cover playing in front of what could be a rotation on the back line.

Sergiño Dest, fullback

A versatile playmaker, Dest can play as the wide defender on both sides of the pitch. The AC Milan loanee is more comfortable aiding in the attack than he is defending. He’s dangerous with the ball at his feet and has the ability to cut inside and produce an attacking opportunity—or the occasional spectacular finish—when needed.

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire/Imago Images

Breakout Candidate

Tim Weah, winger 

The 22-year-old is ready for his moment on the big stage. His family name has already brought him into the limelight: His father, George, starred for Liberia as a striker in the 1980s and 90s and is known as one of the greatest African soccer players of all time. But for all his accomplishments, George never reached a World Cup. 

The younger Weah has a chance to be an impact player in his first go at a major international tournament. He’s an intelligent, pacy winger that has a good shot to start on the right side of the U.S.’s attack. Weah’s club career at French club Lille has been stop-and-go. A strong showing in Qatar would show he’s more than capable of filling his father’s gargantuan footsteps. 

World Cup History

- 11th appearance

- Last appearance: 2014 (Round of 16)

- Best finish: Third place in 1930

Outlook and Expectations

Everything has been building for eight years for the U.S. The generation of players who have grown into consistent roles with the national team since 2014 is one of the most talented groups in a long time.

Despite the core’s youth, the pressure is on for Berhalter. Questions have been asked as to whether his style is sustainable for an international competition with a group of players who compete together for just a few weeks each year. The group is by no means easy—England is one of the world’s deepest teams, while Iran and Wales both possess threats. But anything less than an appearance in the knockout stage would be abject failure for the USMNT.

World Cup Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (NYCFC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)

DEFENDERS: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

FORWARDS: Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)