The Official 2022 FIFA World Cup Thread

[TripleThreat]

YOUNG AMERICANS
The USMNT was by far the youngest team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, garnering valuable experience going through the rigors of World Cup qualifying. Through 14 qualifiers, the USA Starting XI came in at an average of 23.82, almost two years younger than the next closest team, Ghana at 25.67. Together, the other 31 participating teams averaged a Starting XI age of 27.5 through qualifying, nearly four full years older than the U.S. Sources say this is one of the youngest, but most talented teams the U.S. has ever fielded. While they may not win the world cup this year, they may garner the experience needed to make a serious run on home soil in the year 2026 when the World Cup comes back to North America.

2022 USA World Cup Roster

FORWARDS
Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
Josh Sargent (Norwich City)
Timothy Weah (Lille)
Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)

MIDFIELDERS
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
Kellyn Acosta (LAFC)
Tyler Adams (Leeds United)
Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo)
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Yunus Musah (Valencia)
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

DEFENDERS
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan)
Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
Shaq Moore (Nashville SC)
Tim Ream (Fulham)
Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach)
DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami)
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

GOALKEEPERS
Ethan Horvath (Luton Town)
Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Matt Turner (Arsenal)

[Hark Clunt]

nah, that was the equivalent of brady getting a shitty roughing the passer call.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by penguinz

We do not want to play Poland. We can't score agains avg keepers.

Well, yeah, I'd prefer Australia beat Poland in this scenario.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by penguinz

We do not want to play Poland. We can't score agains avg keepers.

Correct. But if Poland wins, Australia has a much better chance against them than they do against Argentina. Personally, we have enough of a challenge of our own in getting past the Dutch. If we make it to the round of 8, I don't care if we play Pele in his prime, that's a huge accomplishment for US soccer.

[Gary Cooper]

Originally Posted by penguinz

That would be the same as saying if PMII gets destroyed after he already released his pass it is not a penalty.

Not exactly, considering the difference in rules. There's not enough goals in soccer to just award a team a gift on a call like that. Football is all about awarding first downs for every penalty.

[Eleazar]

Argentina breaks through just after half, it’s 1-0

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Correct. But if Poland wins, Australia has a much better chance against them than they do against Argentina. Personally, we have enough of a challenge of our own in getting past the Dutch. If we make it to the round of 8, I don't care if we play Pele in his prime, that's a huge accomplishment for US soccer.

We are not beating NED without divine intervention.

[penguinz]

All those amazing saves and that is what he finally gives up.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by penguinz

We are not beating NED without divine intervention.

That's kind of my point.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by penguinz

We do not want to play Poland. We can't score agains avg keepers.

You're splitting hairs if you're saying there's some big gap between Wojciech and Martinez. They are both great keepers, and Martinez just won the Copa America Bet Keeper award in 2021.

We would rather play Poland and it's not close. Costa Rica's keeper Navas just proved it don't matter how good you are at keeper, you need a good front line too or you're gonna get scored on regardless.

[GloryDayz]

Argentina finally gets one in the goal... Wow, still many props to the polish goalkeeper.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Not exactly, considering the difference in rules. There's not enough goals in soccer to just award a team a gift on a call like that. Football is all about awarding first downs for every penalty.

I am going to bet my expertise in this is a bit higher than yours. It was a clear PK and the only reason it was not blown instantly by the referee was because VAR is in place. With no VAR he is going to talk to his AR over the comms to see if ball will still in play when the contact happened.

[Eleazar]

Mexico has finally scored, 1-0 to the Mexicans

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by Razaele

Mexico has finally scored, 1-0 to the Mexicans

Assuming Argentina wins/draws, there gonna need to find a way to net 3-4 more of those to advance.

[Eleazar]

Missed the first half but after seeing the replay I think that’s a penalty.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

You're splitting hairs if you're saying there's some big gap between Wojciech and Martinez. They are both great keepers, and Martinez just won the Copa America Bet Keeper award in 2021.

We would rather play Poland and it's not close. Costa Rica's keeper Navas just proved it don't matter how good you are at keeper, you need a good front line too or you're gonna get scored on regardless.

Polands size and strength is too much for the USA as well. I would rather play Argentina. USA can at least muscle them a bit more and try and turn it into a physical battle depending on what the ref decides to let play.