As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, Tony Meola, former U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) goalkeeper, reflects on the pressure of competing at home, reminiscent of his experiences during the 1994 tournament.
Meola, now an analyst for CBS Sports Golazo Network, expressed concerns about the current USMNT’s preparedness for the upcoming World Cup, stating, “I don’t feel like we’re ready right now.”
This sentiment echoes among many former players and analysts as the nation gears up for another chance to make a mark in world soccer.
When the U.S., Canada, and Mexico were announced as hosts for the 2026 World Cup in 2018, it was a significant moment filled with hope and anticipation.
That hope has become intertwined with questions about whether the national team has progressed enough since the 1994 World Cup, where Meola’s team gained recognition for pushing soccer into the American consciousness, despite being eliminated in the knockout stage.
The 2022 World Cup saw glimpses of potential from the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna, but as the squad matures, there remains a sense of uncertainty regarding their ability to compete at the highest level.
The team exited the 2022 tournament in the Round of 16 without having delivered a signature victory.
With the approaching World Cup, players are aging and gaining valuable international and club experience, raising the stakes for their performance in the forthcoming tournament.
However, the team hasn’t stopped to reflect on their development; following a lackluster showing at last summer’s Copa América, where they failed to make it past the group stage, criticism has only mounted.
Charlie Davies, a former player and current commentator, emphasizes the need for tangible achievements to live up to the ‘Golden Generation’ label: “You can’t be a ‘Golden Generation’ until you do something that hasn’t been done before.”
The recent changes in coaching staff also highlight the urgency for results, moving on from longtime coach Gregg Berhalter to Mauricio Pochettino, a manager with a wealth of experience on significant soccer stages.
Despite this change, Pochettino’s tenure has been met with mixed results — the team boasts a record of five wins and five losses in ten games, including disappointing losses in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Pochettino’s reputation precedes him, and U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker is optimistic about his ability to harness the nation’s young talent to prepare for the World Cup.
Yet, apprehensions still linger, particularly concerning the goalkeeper position.
With past starter Matt Turner facing a lack of playing time at Crystal Palace, the question remains whether he can regain form before the tournament.
This has led to speculation about other goalkeeping options, such as Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, and Matt Freese should Turner not meet expectations.
Meola has voiced concerns over the unsettled goalkeeper position, expressing that there are numerous unanswered questions before the tournament begins.
Another critical focus for the team is the center back position, where the team lacks clarity.
While Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest are expected to solidify their spots on the outside, the middle remains contested among players like Chris Richards, Tim Ream, and Miles Robinson.
Edu and Davies have also highlighted the center forward role as crucial, especially following the acquisition of Folarin Balogun.
Yet beyond him, the pool of strikers still raises doubts about depth and consistency.
Conrad has also turned his attention to center midfield, where he believes several options, including Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah, should compete.
One of his more controversial takes involves Gio Reyna, suggesting he might not make the final roster based on current form and competition.
In contrast, the team’s outside backs are seen as a strength, backed by players like Robinson, Dest, Pulisic, and Weah, providing some reassurance ahead of the World Cup.
In the lead-up to the tournament, the USMNT’s schedule includes CONCACAF Gold Cup matches and several friendly fixtures, allowing players to showcase their skills and form.
Crocker, the technical director, is keen on optimizing the final roster, which will be capped at 26 players and announced just ten days before the tournament.
He recognizes the importance of building depth in every position and adapting to unexpected developments, like injuries or players hitting form late.
Twellman, who has extensive experience with the national team, has been vocal about the ‘sense of apathy’ surrounding the USMNT, correlated directly to the results produced by the team in recent years.
Crocker has acknowledged the critical feedback surrounding the program, but he remains focused on internal improvements and player performance rather than external opinions.
As anticipation builds for the World Cup, questions abound about whether the USMNT can elevate its game and finally fulfill the potential attributed to this group of players.
In a year filled with uncertainties, it is clear that much work lies ahead for the U.S. and its hopeful his team will be battle-ready when the world’s attention turns to them on the grand stage.
image source from：https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/soccer/fifa-world-cup-us-mens-national-team-one-year-out-rcna208835
