After not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) was at its lowest point in recent memory. Since then, younger players have signed onto European clubs, a new manager has been hired and pledges from dual nationals were received. Things are only looking up for the USMNT and the proclaimed “Golden Generation.”
The last time the U.S. was in the World Cup was in 2014. Of the 23 players on that roster, 13 players were on a European club at the time. A reason for the disappointment in international competitions, like the World Cup, is that the USMNT lacked players who were acclimated to playing in Europe with top-tier talent. That should be no issue with this group of players as they continue to develop in Europe.
For the first time in U.S. history, the team has players that not only play for clubs in Europe, but they contribute for some of the best teams in the world. The USMNT has players on FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and many other top European clubs. On top of that, these players are mostly under the age of 22.
By playing in the Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain and Bundesliga in Germany, U.S. players are now on the same playing field that their international competition is on. Not to mention that they get to practice and play against the best players in the world. Sergiño Dest gets to practice and play with Lionel Messi, and Weston McKennie gets to practice and play with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Headlining the “Golden Generation” of the USMNT, there is plenty of European experience already. There are forwards like Tim Weah (20, LOSC Lille), Josh Sargent (20, Werder Bremen) and Daryl Dike (20, Barnsley), as well as wingers like Christian Pulisic (21, Chelsea) and Yunus Musah (17, Valencia CF). Midfielders such as Giovani Reyna (17, Borussia Dortmund), Weston McKennie (21, Juventus) and Tyler Adams (21, RB Leipzig). There are also high-profile defenders like Sergiño Dest (19, FC Barcelona), Chris Richards (20, Bayern Munich) and Antonee Robinson (22, Fulham). Goalkeeper Zack Steffen (25, Manchester City) is the man who has the task of filling the shoes of USMNT legend, Tim Howard.
In 2020, Sergiño Dest became the first American player to ever play a game for FC Barcelona, possibly the greatest club in the entire world. Additionally, Weston McKennie became the first American to ever play for the Italian juggernaut Juventus. Barriers are constantly being broken with this generation of USMNT players.
Dual nationals, or players that qualify to represent multiple nations, have been very important in the outlook of the U.S.’s future in international soccer.
Reyna, Musah and Robinson had the chance to represent England, and Sergiño Dest had the opportunity to represent the Netherlands. Ultimately, they all chose to represent the United States. With the U.S. getting pledges from dual nationals, the team’s future has continued to improve.
With the 2022 World Cup being so soon, the 2026 World Cup seems like a realistic goal. Key players will be about 26-27 years old, nearing the primes of their careers and gaining experience from 2022’s World Cup. In 2026, the USMNT’s Golden Generation should be able to contend for the World Cup title.
