Qatar 2022/ Team USA Seeks Another Semi-Final Achievement

Doha, November 11 (QNA) - Although the United States of America (USA) has made various sports achievements on multiple levels, football always represents a stumbling stone for the USA, especially in the history of its participation in the most significant football event – the FIFA World Cup finals. Despite coming third in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, it is unusual for the USA to advance in the tournament, as it reached the quarter finals only once since the opening tournament at FIFA World Cup Korea and Japan 2002. At FIFA World Cup Qatar 2020, the "Uncle Sam" team will eye on repeating the 92 years ago achievement of reaching the semifinals, especially after falling in a balanced group. The USA was drawn into Group B along with England, Iran, and Wales, while United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) manager Gregg Berhalter is confident that the team has the chance and the ability to make it to the next round of the tournament. Berhalter, who became the manager of the USMNT following their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, relies on a squad that includes prominent names like Chelsea player Christian Pulisic, Valencia player Yunus Musah, and French Lille player Tim Weah, who is also the son of one of the football legends and former Liberia striker, George Weah. In addition to this trio, the USMNT own a strong squad, especially in the midfield. The USMNT also have an experienced coach who has known the players over the past four years leading them to qualify for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The coach also knows what it takes to achieve success in big tournaments. The midfield, which includes the Leads United players Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, will be the "Uncle Sam" team strength point. The duo has good ball possession and will help control the course of the match. The defense in Berhalter’s squad, which he has not yet decided on its best basic elements, remains a weak point. However, the improving performance of the trio, Portuguese Boavista player Reggie Cannon and the US Major League Soccer (MLS) players Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long will make the coach rely on them as key players. Meanwhile, the USMNT goalkeeping will be for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner as the coach relied on him in the team’s recent matches. The USMNT will start their matches in Group B at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by facing Wales on Nov. 21 at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and then face England on Nov. 25 at Al Bayt Stadium. The USMNT will conclude their matches in the group stage by facing Iran on Nov. 29 at Al Thumama Stadium. The United States Soccer Federation chose Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, as the USMNT camp during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while the training will be at Al Gharafa Sports club stadium. The USMNT will show up at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for the eleventh time in their history after securing one of the three direct cards of the Concacaf World Cup qualifying. The USMNT came third with 25 points from 7 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses. Despite participating in ten previous World Cups, the best achievement for the USA was in the first world cup when it secured third place out of only 12 participating teams. During 9 World Cup editions over almost a century, the USMNT reached the quarter finals only once at FIFA World Cup Korea and Japan 2002 before losing to Germany (0-1). The USMNT also reached the knockout phase (Round of 16) twice at FIFA World Cup USA 1994 and FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. On the continental level, the USA has a distinguished record in Concacaf Gold Cup as it won the title seven times, the last of which was the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup which was held in the USA. The USMNT, since the establishment of its federation, presented a group of prominent players such as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan who together hold the all-time leading scorer of the USMNT with 57 goals. The USMNT also have prominent players such as Cobi Jones, who is the most participating player with the team with 167 international games, in addition to Eric Wynalda who scored 34 goals in 107 games. Brian McBride is also one of the most prominent players in the history of the USMNT. McBride scored 30 goals in 95 games he played with USMNT and played in many European clubs including Premier League’s Everton F.C. and Fulham F.C. and Bundesliga’s Wolfsburg. (QNA)