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)

[NJChiefsFan]

They had 35 straight international games without a loss. Were those all just against weak South American teams?

[Hark Clunt]

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

They had 35 straight international games without a loss. Were those all just against weak South American teams?

no, they beat brazil in the copa america final. in rio de janeiro.

[Hark Clunt]

mexico would love nothing more than to knockout argentina. they're gonna shithouse this game to the bitter end. gonna be an intense 2nd half.

[Womble]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Besides Messi, Argentina has Zero players who could start for any top team like Brazil, France, England, or any of the top squads in the Premier League or La Liga. Even a 25 year old Messi wouldn't be able to carry this squad of mediocre players.

Martinez and Alvares would start ahead of Dembele for France.

[Baby Lee]

When preparation meets opportunity

[Womble]

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

They had 35 straight international games without a loss. Were those all just against weak South American teams?

The problem that Brazil/Argentina have is the new Nations League championship in Europe. They used to be able to face the big European teams in friendlies in international breaks but now the European nations calendars are full from this new tournament. The only opportunity they now have of playing the top Euro teams is at the World Cup and Brazil have been knocked out by them every time they play one in the knockouts since 2002. It's essentially uncharted territory for them.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

Besides Messi, Argentina has Zero players who could start for any top team like Brazil, France, England, or any of the top squads in the Premier League or La Liga. Even a 25 year old Messi wouldn't be able to carry this squad of mediocre players.

Di Maria starts for PSG

[Baby Lee]

That was UTTER BRILLIANCE.

So cool, so composed.

[NJChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Womble

The problem that Brazil/Argentina have is the new Nations League championship in Europe. They used to be able to face the big European teams in friendlies in international breaks but now the European nations calendars are full from this new tournament. The only opportunity they now have of playing the top Euro teams is at the World Cup and Brazil have been knocked out by them every time they play one in the knockouts since 2002. It's essentially uncharted territory for them.

I think it hurts Mexico and the US as well. Would be nice to play these elite countries more, regardless of results.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by loochy

Di Maria starts for PSG

Di Maria is FIFA's Scotty Pippen.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Womble

Poor analogy mate. Thing is mate we didnt lose and yet people here are acting like we did, mate. And it puts you in a pretty bad place heading into the final game and we're through already, mate. That's what's the pisstake is about mate.

It’s actually a great analogy. England tied a team they should have beaten easily. Way to mock and celebrate your tie. Congratulations on moving on. No doubt England will continue that World Cup form against better teams.

[Gary Cooper]

Originally Posted by loochy

Di Maria starts for PSG

In a farmer's league mostly. Point is, Argentina lacks overall quality in their side. They're a good team but it's hard to envision them handling Spain, France, or Brazil in this tournament.

[JPH83]

Originally Posted by Womble

The problem that Brazil/Argentina have is the new Nations League championship in Europe. They used to be able to face the big European teams in friendlies in international breaks but now the European nations calendars are full from this new tournament. The only opportunity they now have of playing the top Euro teams is at the World Cup and Brazil have been knocked out by them every time they play one in the knockouts since 2002. It's essentially uncharted territory for them.

Yeah Brazil and Argentina have had real problems being f***ing brilliant forever. The Nations League's a turd competition nobody cares about and was introduced well past 2002. They have the Copa to play as a team and a million players in the Champions League the NL is going to make zero difference. We're both England fans, we both know Brazil and Argentina would beat us handily.

[Womble]

Originally Posted by JPH83

Yeah Brazil and Argentina have had real problems being f***ing brilliant forever. The Nations League's a turd competition nobody cares about and was introduced well past 2002. They have the Copa to play as a team and a million players in the Champions League the NL is going to make zero difference. We're both England fans, we both know Brazil and Argentina would beat us handily.

We'd be favourites to beat Argentina. I'd have Brazil as favourites against us because of our defense but if we had the Chels full backs fit we'd be evens with them. The Euro Nations is a bullshit competition but crucially we are constantly playing the top European nations so we know what to expect. Brazil and Argentina come into this tournament not knowing how they will be against a big Euro team. The last time Brazil played one was 4 and a half years ago in their loss to Belgium in the World Cup. Just look at the Argentina results in the 2018 too when they lost 3-0 to Croatia in the groups and to France in the last 16. There's a definite question mark and they are not aided by not being able to test themselves against their rivals.

[Womble]

There's a potentially funny and really ridiculous scenario in group C where if Mexico and Argentina win 2-0 the 2nd place spot out of Poland and Mexico will go to the team with the least yellow cards. Poland are on 4 and Mexico are on 6.