While I do think the world rankings aren’t fully comprehensive, the US has consistently been top 20 for a long time. That alone would put them into the conversation.
With the number of young Americans in top academies in Europe I’d say it’s only a matter of time until they start seeing semifinal appearances at least.
They also have players like Pulisic and now Balogun who can spirit goals out of seemingly nothing like Dempsey and Donavan did in years past — except now there’s a decent team behind them and not just Michael Bradley playing backwards passes every time he gets the ball
Brazil and russia were big countries. They have matches grouped in areas of the country.
US team also isn’t good
While I do think the world rankings aren’t fully comprehensive, the US has consistently been top 20 for a long time. That alone would put them into the conversation.
With the number of young Americans in top academies in Europe I’d say it’s only a matter of time until they start seeing semifinal appearances at least.
They also have players like Pulisic and now Balogun who can spirit goals out of seemingly nothing like Dempsey and Donavan did in years past — except now there’s a decent team behind them and not just Michael Bradley playing backwards passes every time he gets the ball