‘Not ridiculous’: US dreams of World Cup glory after big wins

SEATTLE – Could the US really win the World Cup?

After two victories from their first two matches, that is the wildly optimistic question being posed to many American TV pundits, including Fox Sports’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who answered with a simple “Yes”.

While aware they are still vast underdogs against traditional powerhouses like Spain, France and Argentina, the US players were not exactly afraid to stoke those hugely ambitious dreams either, after beating Australia 2-0 on June 19.

“I think we came here to compete, and to compete, you have to win every game,” 24-year-old US midfielder Malik Tillman told AFP after the win.

“In the end, if you want to win the tournament, same again, you have to win every game. I think that’s also our goal for the next one.”

So far, the US have only faced limited opposition in Paraguay, whom they beat 4-1, and Australia. Next up is Turkey, who have already been eliminated, in what will be a dead rubber for both teams.

Sterner tests surely await in the knockout stages, with Belgium and Spain among the likeliest foes in wait if the Americans win their last-32 match.

It is worth noting that the US have won only one knockout-stage game in World Cup history – a 2-0 win over Mexico in the round of 16 in 2002, when they fell to Germany in the quarter-finals.

World Cup hosts do have an impressive track record of lifting the trophy on their home turf.

Six have done so in the tournament’s history, most recently in 1998 by France, who followed up that triumph by building a dynasty and reaching three more finals – winning the title in 2018.

But none have ever been such extreme long shots as the US, perennially seen as potential future giants of untapped promise, too distracted by home-grown sports like American football, basketball and baseball to truly compete in the world’s most popular sport.

If that has started to change, the rapid rise of the domestic Major Soccer League has played a part, providing local talent like 21-year-old Alex Freeman, who scored against Australia on June 19.

The emergence of a “golden generation” of stars playing for Champions League clubs – like AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Bayer Leverkusen’s Tillman – has also been significant.

But perhaps no factor has been as great as the expensive hiring of elite coach Mauricio Pochettino, who deconstructed and rebuilt an underperforming, complacent squad in his own image.

US and Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards on June 19 praised the former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach’s track record and motivational powers for instilling belief.

“We’ve seen him do it with big teams, and he’s very passionate in the way that he speaks,” he said.

“It kind of reflects on us as well. So we take that passion and we try to apply it to how we go out there on the pitch.”

While urging his players to remain grounded and focused, the 54-year-old Pochettino has urged fans to dream, frequently asking “Why not us?” in public comments.

But one of his predecessors, Bruce Arena, has been more cautious.

Speaking on an episode of FanDuel’s Coaches Corner show on June 20, the former US coach said Pulisic’s fitness will be a major issue for the squad as the level of competition rises.

“That’s a big question mark for the US team, how they can get Christian back on the field because they certainly miss him in the attack and the competition is going to get better,” Arena said.

Another former US coach Bob Bradley, who coached the Americans when they won their World Cup group in 2010, said Pulisic’s absence changed the team but praised their agility and strength.

“We miss his creativity and his dribbling,” he said. “But we’re a really athletic team and for the second game in a row, our athleticism really pushed the opponent.”

Arena feels tougher opponents would provide a clearer indicator of the US team’s strength. “We are going to find out a lot more about our team in the round of 32, and then the round of 16,” he said.

So, does Richards really believe the US could pull off what would be the greatest upset World Cup triumph in modern history?

“Obviously we take it one game at a time,” said the 26-year-old.

“But I don’t think it’s ridiculous to say that we want to win it.”

AFP, REUTERS