The United States heads into the hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002.
While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and only a few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16.
鈥淚t 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,鈥� midfielder said.
The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans are 1-7 in knockout World Cup matches, the only win over regional rival Mexico in 2002.
Since reaching the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930, the furthest the U.S. has advanced was the 2002 quarterfinals. While it has lost eight straight matches to European opponents since 2022, getting outscored 22-6, the Americans have a high level of confidence.
Coach , hired in September 2024 after the , told players they can win the title.
鈥淲hy not us?鈥� he said during a March training camp. 鈥淲e need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream.鈥�
The Americans open against Paraguay on June 12 before facing Australia and Turkey in Group D.
Long line of top goalkeepers has ended
Goalkeeper used to be an American strength, with Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan all highly regarded.
, the U.S. starter in 2022, has been displaced as No. 1 by . The Americans are likely to head to the World Cup without a Europe-based keeper for the first time since 1990.
鈥淲e had this goalkeeping thing figured out for a long time, didn鈥檛 we? Going all the way back,” Howard said. 鈥滻t just seems like we鈥檝e had a little bit of a rut.”
Pulisic scoring drought a concern
Christian Pulisic, the top American player, since November 2024.
He also headed into mid-April scoreless in 14 games with AC Milan since Dec. 28.
鈥淗e鈥檚 going to score because he has the quality,” Pochettino said.
At 27 in his prime, Pulisic is expected to carry the U.S. in the tournament as he did in 2022, when advanced the Americans to the knockout stage.
鈥淭here鈥檚 pressure, I feel it. Yes, it鈥檚 there but it鈥檚 nothing that I can鈥檛 handle,鈥� he said.
Options thin in central defense
is a rare American central defender playing in a top league, at 26 having an outstanding season at Crystal Palace. He missed the 2022 tournament because of a hamstring injury.
Tim Ream, the U.S. captain for much of World Cup lead-up under Pochettino, is 38 and after the 2023-24 season.
Auston Trusty, 27, has been a starter for Scotland’s Celtic since late October and Mark McKenzie, also 27, is a regular for Toulouse.
Pochettino has at times since last fall used a three central defender back line.
Injury worries
Right back Sergi帽o Dest, a starter in 2022, hopes to heal in time from a sustained playing for PSV Eindhoven on March 7.
, another 2022 veteran, will miss the tournament because of an Achilles injury and John Tolkin, No. 3 on the left back depth chart behind Antonee Robinson and Max Arfsten, is .
Son of Super Bowl winner
Alex Freeman, a defender who transferred from Orlando to Villarreal in January, is a , a former All-Pro wide receiver who won the 1997 Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
鈥淕rowing up I always got asked if football was the path, but when I was younger I always had a secret love for soccer,鈥� Alex said.
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