We are a matter of weeks away from the US men’s national team competing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They go into the first Middle Eastern-staged World Cup with very modest expectations, despite having one of the easier groups in the tournament on paper.
In their final competitive game prior to the World Cup – a dreary goalless draw with Saudi Arabia – head coach Gregg Berhalter admitted there was “anxiety” in his team’s play. That was shortly after getting their “butts kicked” by a Japanese side that has reached the last 16 of the World Cup in three of the last five tournaments.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding USA’s best starting XI, most sportsbooks have Berhalter’s troops as pre-game favorites for their first group stage game against Wales. They are priced at +145 with FanDuel to overcome Robert Page’s Wales (+190), with everything pointing to a keenly contested first encounter. Ahead of the first winter World Cup, first-time users of FanDuel in legal betting markets across the US can avail themselves of FanDuel Sportsbook promo codes with state-specific offers.
In fact, many believe the USA’s first clash with Wales could decide the nation’s fortunes in the tournament. England are in the USA’s group, which means they are most likely to top the group, leaving the US, Wales and Iran to scrap it out for the second qualification spot for the knockout stages. That might seem like a walk in the park compared with what the US national team had to face in 2014 with Portugal, Germany and Ghana in their group. Nevertheless, if the FIFA world rankings are anything to go by, the USA is set to lock horns with three of the top 21 international teams on the planet. In any event, this will require the US to hit the ground running next month.
Who is likely to be on the plane to Qatar for the USMNT?
In goal, Berhalter has something of a dilemma when it comes to choosing a first-choice goalkeeper. Gone are the days of having a rock-solid, outright number-one keeper in the US ranks like Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, or even Kasey Keller. The likes of Matt Turner and Zack Steffen are the most likely candidates to start in goal against Wales, but neither player has enjoyed regular first team football in the lead up to this tournament, which will weigh heavily on Berhalter’s mind.
The bedrock of the US back line is also up for debate too, which will also be a cause for concern among fans. Miles Robinson is almost certain to sit this tournament out following a ruptured Achilles tendon, which is a big blow to Berhalter. Walker Zimmerman appears to be the best homegrown centre back option, although his lack of exposure outside of the MLS bubble is another concern. Experienced centre half Cameron Carter-Vickers hasn’t played much for the USMNT in recent times, but he’s certainly a credible candidate, having spent time in the English Premier League and Championship before a recent switch to Scottish Premier League giants Celtic.
There are no such question marks hanging over Berhalter’s midfield options, with a wealth of dynamic midfielders in the USMNT. Weston McKennie is a sure-fire pick, while Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams are also well cemented in Berhalter’s plans. Malik Tillman could be a wildcard option after the Bayern Munich youngster recently pledged his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. Valencia’s midfield powerhouse Yunus Musah also offers plenty of big-game experience.
In the final third, the USMNT is also suffering with a crisis in confidence, as Berhalter struggles to nail down a focal point for his attack. Ricardo Pepi has become the butt of several unsavory jokes following a 24-game scoreless streak for his club side in Germany. One player that will be catching the eye is Norwich City’s Josh Sargeant. The former Werder Bremen forward has hit the ground running in the EFL Championship this season and Berhalter may see his growing confidence as a positive addition. There’s also Daryl Dike, who is also in the EFL Championship with West Bromwich Albion, and provides a powerful but raw presence.
When you run through the roster and the various selection dilemmas, it’s easy to see why Berhalter is trying valiantly to manage expectations. This competition could be make-or-break for his career with the USMNT.