RISE OF AMERICA: USA YOUNG-GUNS AIMING HIGH

Featured Image Credit: AS English

Football in the United States of America has never hit the heights as it has elsewhere across the globe.

Not only for the reason that “soccer” is the common term for the beautiful game in the country, but also for the low marketing of the sport. It really makes the Americans an outcast of the game, somehow.

But things are about to turn around for the men’s national squad as they beef their line-up in a different manner this time around. Following a long lay-off due the coronavirus pandemic, the Americans got satisfying results during the international break, drawing goalless against Wales and thrashing Panama 6-2.

For sure, football fans around the world didn’t expect this coming from the US national team. Though it can be said that these are friendlies and does not have much bearing, there are very good reason why people shouldn’t simply sleep on the Americans at this point of time who are very motivated to make up for failing to qualify in the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup.

With Major League Soccer players taking up the majority of the national squad in recent years, this generation is far different. National team coach Gregg Berhalter went with a line-up that comprised of Americans playing across Europe in the likes of Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie. This trend proved to be a difference-maker for the national side with a lot of experience brought in the game.

Blending Europe’s top runners and playmakers with MLS’ sharp strikers, makes the team a threat to the opponents. And results so far, have proved their development in the game.

The most notable aspect about their new look national squad however, is their youthfulness. With the squad age average of 22 years old, it can be said that this is still a growing team not just in age but also experience.

Clearly, Berhalter has a plan for this new generation of American footballers.

“It is a young group with a tremendous amount of talent. It gives you a lot of optimism, how they’ve been performing at such a young age. It will be great for us to get our hands on them and start forming the team and carrying on from where we were, integrating some of those young players”, Berhalter said according to NBC Sports.

Truly, they are a nation on the rise. This is how the United States may look in the coming years. And yes, Americans and other nationalities alike may possibly eye on this young squad’s journey towards sweeter success.