The U.S. men’s national team entered the 2022 World Cup with a young core and showed promise by advancing from the group stage, tying England and beating Iran. In the round of sixteen, the Netherlands exploited defensive lapses and won 3-1, leaving players like Weston McKennie disappointed but motivated to use the loss as fuel. Expectations grew that the group would mature into a peak around the 2026 World Cup, aided by home-field advantage. Over the following four years, focus and progress faltered, turning early anticipation into anxiety. Qualification for the next World Cup became assured, but the team still needed to find stability before playing host this summer.
"But, over the next four years, the U.S.M.N.T. did not focus. And anticipation has curdled into anxiety. The team's qualification for next month's World Cup was assured from the moment the United States was "
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