When the United States men's soccer team travels to Qatar this November to participate in the 2022 World Cup, the stadium atmosphere and environment may feel familiar to head coach Gregg Berhalter. The 48-year-old New Jersey native played for the U.S. teams that made the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, and understands the immense pressure of building a respected program.
Suffice to say, the American fans haven't been satisfied with the international results over the past two decades. They've reached the quarterfinal round of the knockout stage only once since 2002, and in 2018, they actually failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. The U.S. secured a 2022 World Cup berth despite a loss on the final night of qualifying, so there are doubts on whether Berhalter can push them to new heights on the game's biggest stage.
"It's this undercurrent, and it's not going anywhere -- this dissatisfaction with the way U.S. soccer is run," ESPN soccer podcast host JJ Devaney explained to The DA Show on Wednesday. "All that pressure is on Berhalter to pick guys from Europe, knowing we've got so many. So when an MLS guy comes in and doesn't do well, 'Oh, Berhalter,' hands are thrown into the air. I think he's done well, considering all of that laden toxicity...
"To whom so much is given, so much is expected... It's not, 'We've got all this talent, ergo we should be this good.' International football isn't the standard it used to be. That's another one thrown at Gregg Berhalter -- that we should be doing better and should get out of this group. And I look at the group, it's not as clear-cut as that... But, expectations are high. That's kind of a good thing. But, I'm sure Berhalter would like to be flying under the radar a bit more."
The World Cup draw was held in Qatar last Friday, and the U.S. was placed in Group B with powerhouse England, Iran, and the UEFA playoff winner (Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine). The Americans clinched a World Cup berth by finishing top-three in CONCACAF qualifying with 25 points (7-3-4 record) in 14 games. Needing to avoid a defeat by six-plus goals, their 2-0 road loss to Costa Rica last week ultimately didn't matter.
The Americans are led by star forward Christian Pulisic, who's scored 17 goals for Chelsea in the English Premier League over the past three years. The 23-year-old recorded his first international hat trick on Mar. 27, in a 5-1 home win against Panama. The World Cup is scheduled to run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, and according to Elo ratings, the U.S. currently has a 37-percent chance to reach the Round of 16 and an 18-percent chance to reach the quarterfinals.
The entire 2022 FIFA World Cup conversation between Devaney and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
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