USA predictions, squad details, manager and tournament odds for the World Cup 2022, brought to you by the Ranks FC team.
With the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Sergino Dest and Brenden Aaronson making their mark across the Atlantic, this is a US team with a very European feel.
The quality of player is improving and the general expectation is rising too. The problem is their inexperience and quality in key areas. They have a young squad - the average age is about 24. To have a whole team of players this young is not ideal, especially when they missed out on Russia and are playing at their first World Cup.
USA are lacking dependable centre backs and centre forwards too but this is an important tournament. There is always a stigma attached to US soccer and USMNT need a good run in Qatar more than ever. America will host the World Cup in 2026 and want to raise their profile globally and at home.
Who is the USA manager?
Coach Gregg Berhalter has struggled to impress the fanbase as a whole and at times his job security has been under a cloud.
But the fact he has come through some adversity to actually lead the US into a World Cup should help him deal with big moments in the tournament - and he feels the squad have a togetherness and understanding that can help them into the knockout phase.
Berhalter has been in charge since the end of 2018 and will need to make it out of the group to keep his reputation intact.
What tactic can we expect from them?
Tactically the aim for this team will be to play with fast progression and to feed the wide players. We can expect a 4-3-3 formation and there will be pressure on the likes of Pulisic, Reyna and Aaronson to produce magical moments in the final third.
They do not hold an obvious goal threat but hope that their high energy game will force mistakes they can then thrive upon. There will be plenty of attention on getting the most out of midfielders Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah and McKennie, who form the strongest unit of the side when all three are available.
Who are the players to watch for USA?
Christian Pulisic is the poster boy of USMNT and he needs to make sure he is in form. That is not straightforward given the fact he plays a bit-part role at Chelsea but the 24-year-old shoulders so much responsibility.
It feels like he has been around this set-up for a long time given the hype around him at a young age and has 21 goals from 52 international appearances. Pulisic will play off the left flank and is integral to any success.
The pressure in terms of goals is likely to fall to Jesus Ferreira, a Colombian born front man who has seven goals from 15 games. It has been difficult for Berhalter to find a reliable No.9 heading into the tournament.
Ferreira plays for FC Dallas and scored 18 times in MLS last season. He’s not yet great, but he is very good, and at 21 years old he might have a rawness that helps him shine.
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How did USA qualify for the World Cup?
This is a team that really struggles with consistency but they qualified automatically, finishing third in Concacaf, just ahead of Costa Rica.
There were disappointing moments along the way but good ones too - such as a 2-0 win over rivals Mexico. The most important thing is not the manner in which they made it though, it is that they MADE it.
What are the ambitions for this USA team?
The opening game against Wales will give us a big indicator of whether this team can deliver. The aim is to first get out of the group but then go as far as they can. The ceiling is probably quarter-finals for this team and that has to be the ambition.
If they are going to change the perception of USA, results are needed. But we must realise this is a young team and while they have big aspirations, the lack of experience might be key.
USA World Cup Odds
Best odds for them to win the competition are 200/1 - long odds for sure but USA are no longer a nation that can be mocked in the football world - they have a growing domestic league and are producing talent for big European clubs.
The group of players on show here know each other so well and that will be a true strength. The unity must help them through tough games and then the star names must deliver moments that make the difference.
This is a big tournament for USMNT and they are capable of causing problems for Wales, Iran and even England in the early stages
