America’s national soccer team is preparing for the World Cup with ambitious goals of securing their first knockout round triumph since their memorable 2002 campaign.
The squad faces significant challenges heading into the tournament, particularly with what many consider their weakest goalkeeper situation in 40 years and limited central defensive options from elite European leagues. However, their co-host status provides favorable seeding that could help them avoid top-tier competition until reaching the round of 16.
“It would be everything to win, and especially to do it in your home, in front of your friends, your families, the people that have supported you throughout your whole career that are closest to you,” midfielder Weston McKennie said.
The national team seeks to demonstrate soccer’s growing prominence in a country where it continues to lag behind the NFL, MLB and NBA in fan interest. Their World Cup knockout record stands at a disappointing 1-7, with their sole victory coming against Mexico two decades ago.
The Americans haven’t advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 1930’s inaugural World Cup, when they reached the semifinals. Their best modern performance came in 2002 when they made the quarterfinals. Recent form against European teams has been concerning, losing eight consecutive matches since 2022 while being outscored 22-6, yet team confidence remains high.
Mauricio Pochettino, who took over as head coach in September 2024 following the team’s Copa America group stage exit, has instilled championship ambitions in his players.
“Why not us?” he said during a March training camp. “We need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream.”
The tournament begins for the Americans on June 12 against Paraguay, followed by Group D matches against Australia and Turkey.
The goalkeeper position, once a position of strength featuring standouts like Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, has become a major concern.
Matt Freese has taken over the starting role from Matt Turner, who held the position during the 2022 tournament. The team may enter the World Cup without a European-based goalkeeper for the first time since 1990.
“We had this goalkeeping thing figured out for a long time, didn’t we? Going all the way back,” Howard said. “It just seems like we’ve had a little bit of a rut.”
Star player Christian Pulisic, widely considered America’s top talent, hasn’t found the net in international competition for eight matches dating back to November 2024.
His club form has also been concerning, going scoreless in 14 appearances for AC Milan since December 28 through mid-April.
“He’s going to score because he has the quality,” Pochettino said.
At 27 years old and in his athletic prime, Pulisic carries the weight of expectations as he did in 2022, when his crucial goal against Iran in the group stage finale secured advancement to the knockout rounds.
“There’s pressure, I feel it. Yes, it’s there but it’s nothing that I can’t handle,” he said.
Defensively, Chris Richards represents one of the few American center-backs competing at the highest level, enjoying an excellent campaign with Crystal Palace at age 26. He was unavailable for the 2022 World Cup due to hamstring problems.
Team captain Tim Ream, who has led the squad through much of Pochettino’s tenure, is 38 and moved from Fulham to Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer following the 2023-24 season.
Auston Trusty, 27, has established himself as a regular starter for Celtic in Scotland since late October, while Mark McKenzie, also 27, plays consistently for Toulouse.
Pochettino has experimented with a three-center-back formation since taking charge last fall.
Right-back Sergiño Dest, who started in 2022, is working to recover from a hamstring injury suffered while playing for PSV Eindhoven on March 7.
Veteran center-back Cameron Carter-Vickers will miss the tournament entirely due to an Achilles injury, and John Tolkin, third in the left-back pecking order behind Antonee Robinson and Max Arfsten, faces uncertainty with a knee problem.
Alex Freeman, a defender who made the move from Orlando to Villarreal in January, brings an interesting family connection as the son of Antonio Freeman, the former All-Pro receiver who captured the 1997 Super Bowl with Green Bay.
“Growing up I always got asked if football was the path, but when I was younger I always had a secret love for soccer,” Alex said.
