Ranking the Importance of the USMNT’s World Cup Group Stage Games
· Yahoo Sports
The 26-man roster is unveiled, and now, after a few friendly games, it’s time for the U.S. Men’s National Team to officially start the World Cup.
It’s the first-ever 48-team tournament, and while that changes how teams advance from the group stage, the opening part of the event hasn’t changed much, except for a few extra days of rest before their next match.
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The USMNT will play three group stage games, and if they can finish top two or end up as one of the better third-place sides, they’ll move on to the knockout stage, which now starts at the Round of 32.
What is the most important leg of the USMNT’s three group stage games?
Here is how I’d rank them going into the tournament.
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Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States walks across the field in the second half against New Zealand during an international friendly match at TQL Stadium on September 10, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)More news: USMNT World Cup Full Roster Leaked Before Official Announcement: Report
1. vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles)
The opening game, unsurprisingly, is the most important. A victory in the first game against a good but not great Paraguay squad that the USMNT has beaten recently would almost guarantee them a spot in the Round of 32 before even traveling to Seattle to play Australia.
A tie or a loss, though, and the fear of failing under the spotlight grows heavy.
2. vs. Türkiye (Los Angeles)
The toughest game for the USMNT comes in their final group-stage match against Türkiye. While you can argue the USMNT has a stronger overall squad, Türkiye might have the best individual players in Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, especially given Christian Pulisic’s current form.
If the U.S. wants to win the group, they’ll almost assuredly need a result against Türkiye. The worst-case scenario for the U.S. would be needing to beat Turkey in the final group game to advance.
3. vs. Australia (Seattle)
Australia is extremely similar to the U.S. teams of old. They work hard, are physical, and have a lot of young talent emerging from their domestic league that is still finding its footing. Mohamed Touré is coming off a great run with Norwich, and although he isn’t considered a true star in world soccer, he is someone who can score goals in bunches.
If the U.S. overlooks Australia, it’ll be to their detriment, as it was a quarter of a century ago when the U.S. beat Portugal to shockingly open their World Cup group stage in South Korea.
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