While the United States men’s national team’s World Cup game on Friday against England did not result in a victory, there were still many positive takeaways from the 0-0 tie and the point they earned in Qatar.
USA vs. England was the most highly anticipated game for American fans in their year’s event. The English team is ranked fifth in the world, and there was going to be no better litmus test of how good this U.S. team is among the opposing squads in Group B.
After 90-plus minutes of play, soccer fans around the world found out that this ultra-young U.S. team has the ability to hang with the very best in the sport. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest takeaways from the USMNT’s game against England in World Cup 2022.
USMNT outplayed England for much of World Cup match
While England had the U.S. on the ropes in the early going, it wasn’t long before the USMNT took control and turned the tables in their match. Heading into the game, the U.S. was the underdog against the highly ranked English squad. However, for much of the game, the U.S. team played like it was the fifth-ranked side in the world.
They threatened often with corner kicks, and players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were a handful for England throughout the game. Considering the fact that the USMNT is one of the youngest squads in the tournament, getting a shutout against England is a major win.
To go from being a team expected to be outplayed to one where not getting a win left fans frustrated is a testament to how well the USMNT team performed on Friday.
England may not be as good as advertised
While a lot of credit and flowers need to be thrown in the direction of the USMNT, England’s performance was surprising. A top-five team featuring superstar Harry Kane should not struggle that much against a team at the back end of the FIFA top 20.
England had trouble dealing with the U.S. midfielders, and it got very few good opportunities at the net on Friday. It’s surprising considering they posted six goals and dominated Iran in its World Cup opener. The USMNT is better than Iran, but going from six goals to zero against an inexperienced U.S. team is a major disappointment for England.
Nevertheless, with the win in their first game, the English have virtually assured a trip to the elimination round of World Cup 2022.
Christian Pulisic continues his ascension as the undisputed face of U.S. soccer
Pulisic continues to be the star of this World Cup for the USMNT. Now, that doesn’t mean he is a player on the level of Kylian Mbappe or Sadio Mane, but when it comes to American soccer, he is placing himself among the best the national team has ever seen.
While goal scoring continues to be a weakness of U.S. soccer, the 24-year-old gives American fans hope that they have a bright future. He is one of the few players on the roster who is a legitimate scoring threat, and if he can finally break out in this World Cup, the USMNT may have a chance to get into the elimination round of the tourney.
USA vs. Iran is now a must-win
Speaking of the elimination round, the USMNT is now in a must-win scenario heading into its final group matchup against Iran on Tuesday. After Iran stunned Wales with a late goal and victory — along with the Americans' frustrating tie Friday — the USMNT now resides in third place in Group B.
Due to only earning a pair of draws so far in World Cup 2022, the U.S. finds themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario next week against an Iranian team that was able to do something the U.S. could not in their World Cup debut: Beat Wales.
More must-reads: