Some call the USMNT underrated, others call it overrated.
The former look at the surprisingly young crop of players at Gregg Berhalter’s disposal and judge his accomplishments. A Gold Cup, a UEFA Nations League, a World Cup qualifier, all in about a year. To top it off, the main contingent of US representatives on the side are very young.
Of all the teams that qualified for the 2022 World Cup, the United States is by far the youngest based on the average age of players throughout the tournament. With an average age of 24.5 years, the USMNT is almost a year younger than Ecuador, the second youngest team to qualify.
Essentially, the USMNT faced skeptics in the past. Those who call the USMNT underrated, not overrated, believe the Berhalter boys can do it again.
However, there are those who consider that the United States is overrated. They may attribute the successes in North America to a relatively weak opposition. Sure, the United States qualified, but they finished third in CONCACAF behind Canada and Mexico, struggling to four draws and three losses along the way.
Against opposition from outside the continent, the United States has a mixed bag of results. More recently, the USMNT lost in a dismal performance against Japan. Then, four days later, Berhalter’s team met Saudi Arabia in a depressing goalless draw.
Injuries are not helping the prospects for the World Cup. However, those who believe the USMNT is overrated by entering Qatar find deeper issues than just who is available. With a tough group in store, the United States may be in over their heads.
Is the USMNT overrated or underrated?
Now the USMNT is less than a month away from the World Cup. For the vast majority of the projected final roster, this is their first trip to the tournament. There they face Iran, Wales and a semi-finalist from four years ago, England.
It is not an easy group, given that they have the best average FIFA World Ranking among all the groups. Anyway, it’s not impossible.
In your eyes, does the USMNT represent a team that people look down on and that can rise up against pressure and expectations? Or is the USMNT not in the right mindset and the three group stage games will come as a wake-up call that it’s too late?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
