USMNT

Gregg Berhalter’s Legacy

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

Zach McCabe

Gregg Berhalter’s time as the USMNT manager has come to an end. USSF has made the announcement that they have terminated Berhalter’s contract after 5 years in charge of the USMNT. There are many highs and lows during his time as manager with just as many praises and controversies. After the humiliating defeat at Couva during the 2018 World Cup Qualifying, there needed to be a change and the goal for 2022 was to qualify no matter what and how. It was understandable for many fans to let bad results during Berhalter’s first cycle because of the goal we had set for 2022. Now that we made it out of the group during the 2022 WC, the expectations for the USMNT would increase. Those expectations have not been fulfilled since the rehiring of Gregg Berhalter. Here are the top 10 reasons he had to go.

Crashing out of the 2024 Copa America

We were invited and given the rights to host the 2024, Copa America. The USMNT’s first time participating and hosting the tournament since 2016. The only players to appear in both tournaments were Christian Pulisic and Ethan Horvath. On paper, the 2024 squad was better than the 2016 squad in almost every position. Jürgen Klinsmann had a weaker squad but managed to reach the Semi-Finals in the 2016 Copa America. It is one of the biggest accomplishments for the USMNT in recent history. When you look at this year’s roster and what they did last year, the minimum goal should be the Quarterfinals and at most a Semi-Final appearance. The USMNT did not come anywhere close.

Players like Weston McKennie and Musah greatly underperformed. A lack of discipline cost us games, like Tim Weah’s red card, and the foul that led to the Uruguay goal. Against Bolivia, the USMNT only scored 2 goals against the worst team in CONMEBOL (1 win and a -10 GD in their WCQ campaign). Giving up a lead when a man down and ultimately losing to Panama should never have happened, especially against a team that the USMNT has only lost to at home 3 times since 1993. This put the USMNT in the worst possible situation in the tournament, a result against Uruguay and a win or draw for Bolivia.

Good news did arrive for the USMNT when Bolivia tied the game, but this led to Berhalter informing our players prior to a set piece about the score. This gave the indication that he wanted to chase for a draw, which has been a common theme during his tenure. You cannot rely on Bolivia to bail you out. You MUST go for the win. As Herculez Gomez said, it is a loser mentality.

People will blame the refs, Weah’s red card, or not having Dest, but that is not an excuse for poor in-game management by Berhalter. After the firing of Gregg Berhalter, ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle wrote an article where he said that our group exit from the 2024 Copa America is the first time the USMNT had been eliminated in the group stage of a tournament that was being hosted in the US. That is just one more stain on the legacy of Gregg Berhalter.

Poor Match Results

As mentioned, the poor result against Panama, a team we should have defeated even with a man down. There are plenty more matches to talk about. Since being rehired, Berhalter has a 7-1-6 record. The most infamous would be against Trinidad & Tobago away. Again, people will use the excuse that Dest got a red card, and it does not matter since we had qualified for the next round of the 2024 Nations League. That was a game you should not have lost even with a man down, more so than the Panama match. There are many other games that can be mentioned but let’s look at more record first. Berhalter has an overall record of 44-13-17. When playing outside of the US, the record is 4-7-8.

Against top 20 FIFA ranked teams, the record is 5-5-8. Four of those wins came against Mexico and the other being against Iran. When we compare him to Klinsmann and Bob Bradley against top 20 FIFA ranked teams, Klinsmann was 10-6-14 and Bradley was 9-5-15. For Bradley, only 3 of those wins were against the same team (Mexico) and 6 in total were against the same teams (2 times against Ecuador, Germany, and Mexico each) for Klinsmann. This record would make Berhalter the winningest coach by percentage in USMNT history, but there are important contexts to include. Jamaica was just seconds away from eliminating us in the NL Semi-Finals until an own goal by Cory Burke. The USMNT did rally to defeat them 3-1 in extra time, but it was still humiliating for the team.

Then you have the loss against Colombia before the Copa America where we lost 1-5. The last time the team conceded 5 goals was in 2009. A 1-3 defeat against Germany back in Oct of 2023 where we were not competitive at all. From June 5 to November 25, 2022, the US had a 1-5-1 record. The last match I will reference is the match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula where we had no control over the game in the 1^st half. It was not until Ricardo Pepi helped save Berhalter’s job with 2 assists and 1 goal to give us a 1-4 win.

Tactics

One of the biggest problems that Gregg Berhalter has is in-game management and pre-game tactics. His go to formation is a 4-3-3, which is not always bad, but it is defensive minded and creates little chances. We have seen that over the 5 years of having him as a manager. During the 2022 WCQ, our goals per match were 1.5 and 1.8 during the 2021 Gold Cup. The goals conceded per match was 0.2 during that Gold Cup and 0.7 during the WCQ. Yes, statistically we would not concede a goal, but the USMNT was likely to only win 1-0. No one likes a 1-0 game, because not only is it boring, but it is risky. All it would take is for the opposition to score 1 goal to take 2 points from you. Make it a mission to get 2 goals every game to give you some breathing space. Berhalter also looks to park the bus, even when it is a tie.

Against Panama in the Copa America, Berhalter decided to park the bus when it was tied and with a man down at the start of the 2^nd half. That is a high toll to ask the players to park it for 45+ minutes. You knew you were playing Uruguay next, and that Panama has a very good chance of beating Bolivia. A draw against Uruguay was going to be very difficult. Yes, we were a man down, but that does not mean we should have given up getting the 2^nd goal. As we saw, we conceded a 2^nd goal and it cost us to be in the worst possible situation in the group stage.

Besides parking the bus, Berhalter wants us to score primarily off the wings and from crosses. Against Jamaica during the 2024 NL, we attempted 41 crosses with only 11 being accurate. None of the 3 goals in that match came from a cross. Against Trinadad & Tobago at home during the QF of the 2024 NL, they went 11 for 39 on crosses. The first goal did not come until the 80^th minute mark, which should never have come close to being a draw against Trinadad & Tobago at home. Only 1 of the 3 goals we scored in the last 10 minutes were from a cross. When BJ Callaghan led the team during the 2023 NL, our crosses were reduced to 17 attempts in both matches. In both matches, the goals came from up the middle where the team scored a total of 5 goals and 0 goals conceded.

It was some of the best football that this group of guys have played in the last 5 years. The players can score more goals than 1 and can score goals without crossing the ball. As we can see, Berhalter does not know how to react when things do not go to plan as we saw against Panama and against Colombia. A coach needs to be able to react and make the right call when things go sideways. That is a major weakness of his and pundits have pointed it out in the past. After Wales got their goal in the 2022 WC against the USMNT, Berhalter responded by substituting in Jordan Morris instead of Gio Reyna. Gio Reyna is a playmaker, Jordan Morris is not. At the time, the US did not have a playmaker on the pitch and that would be the time to use our best player in that role, Gio Reyna. That is not the first time.

During his 2^nd cycle, Berhalter would commonly substitute Gio Reyna off when he decides to hold a draw or goes a man down. The US did not win a single game when Gio was subbed off. During the Copa America, Berhalter left Johnny Cardoso on the bench for Tyler Adams. Johnny was developed in Brazil and played in several Copa Libertadores and was a standout in LaLiga once he arrived. Tyler Adams only played a total of 138 minutes between the EPL and the EFL Cup last season (Adams was out for majority of the season due to injuries). Common sense would say to start Johnny Cardoso, but Gregg Berhalter did the complete opposite. Besides that, Weston McKennie had been playing poorly for the USMNT all year and looked visibly unfit during the Copa America.

Berhalter continued to start McKennie and gave him a total of 258 minutes. Berhalter continued to award McKennie with starts and minutes when common sense would say that he must be benched. Berhalter also had a major problem with rotating players and that had a major impact on the endurance of the players when it came to tournaments. It was noticeable during the 2022 WC and Copa America. These are all things that will be remembered by fans.

Player Selection

During his 1^st cycle, Gregg Berhalter called up an astounding 65 different players in just competitive matches alone. During the WCQ, he called up 39 different players to the camps. Yes, after the 2018 cycle, the USMNT had to rebuild, but does it really require trying out 65 different players to figure that out? For the WCQ, 13 of the 39 did not make the final cut. I can understand making 2-3 changes every camp at the youth level, but this is the senior level. He had already been with the team for 2 years. He should have had a better idea who he needed to bring with him to the WCQ, which started in the Fall of 2021.

The changes in the WCQ roster make sense if there is an injury, but not all the changes were made due to injuries, i.e., Gianluca Busio and Paul Arriola. Berhalter had from 2019 to the Summer of 2021 to determine his WCQ roster and the alternate players. When creating a team, either for business or sports, you need cohesion, or brotherhood to Berhalter, to get the best out of the team when the results matter.

Continuously making changes for the most important competitive matches in your tenure will lead to problems. By the end of the WCQ, the USMNT tied for 3^rd in points and only qualified through goal differential. The USMNT had a record of 7-4-3 with the away record being 1-3-3. Who knows what that record could have been if the roster was more consistent. Berhalter has improved his roster selection by focusing more on the players in Europe than the players in the MLS. The argument for having half the roster or more being MLS players because they were veteran players and the players in Europe were too young. It is an understandable reason, if that is the case.

He did make significant changes to the roster when he took back control of the team by removing Jordan Morris, Jesus Ferreira, and Cristian Roldan from the team. In this current cycle, Berhalter called up 36 different players in the 14 matches he oversaw. To note, 7 of the 36 are or were MLS-based players.

Achievements

Gregg Berhalter does deserve big credit to the achievements he made while the manager of the USMNT. While in charge of the team, he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup and won the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021 and 2024. Now, you can make an argument that the players had a bigger part in that, when this is the best generation of players we have ever had. Berhalter was still the manager and deserves the credit as well.

After the US failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, Gregg Berhalter accomplished qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. It might not have been the prettiest World Cup for the USMNT, but the team did advance to the first round of the knockout stage. That will be a positive note for his legacy as a USMNT manager. The only thing that is missing from his list of achievements is a signature win.

There is one more piece to Gregg Berhalter’s legacy that will be remembered by many fans, but I doubt would be a footnote to his legacy (it would eventually be forgotten). That being his relationship with the players. I touched a little on in the “Tactics” section by awarding players starts and minutes when they did not deserve it, but it goes further than that. It is known and visible that Berhalter showed favoritism towards certain players, those being the players on the “leadership committee”. These players continued to play match after match when they did not deserve it or were too physically tired to continue.

Tyler Adams mentioned in a press conference during the 2024 Copa America that he never speaks to Berhalter about soccer outside of the camps. Whether with just a few or everyone, it is a concern that a coach does not speak to his players about the sport, on or off the field. During the Copa America, it began to look like the players saw Berhalter as more of a friend than a coach. It can be seen just as a fan by comparing the discipline of the players in the 2022 cycle to the 2024 cycle. That is a huge concern within a team because it creates complacency and that was visible during the 2024 Nations League and the Copa America.

On paper, Gregg Berhalter will appear to be a top USMNT manager in its history, but once you peel those away and look deeper, he would be ranked below the likes of Bob Bradley, Bruce Arena, and Jürgen Klinsmann.

USMNT

Ranking the Most Impactful USMNT Players in World Cup History

Published

6 days ago

June 13, 2026

Thomas Deschaine

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

The U.S. Men’s National Team has played 37 World Cup matches across ten tournaments, producing no shortage of memorable moments and standout performances. Below is my ranking of USMNT players based on their World Cup impact, some from a single tournament, others across multiple appearances.

I’ve taken a few liberties with ties, as in several cases no single player clearly stood above the rest; instead, the moment itself, and the collective effort, defined the performance.

Honorable Mention:

Marcelo Balboa – Appearing in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994, and 1998), he anchored the USMNT defense throughout an important era of growth for the program. He also came close to one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a spectacular bicycle kick attempt off a corner against Colombia that nearly found the net.

Michael Bradley – Across three World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014), Michael Bradley was a driving force in the USMNT midfield, known for his engine, composure, and leadership. He delivered a crucial game-tying goal against Slovenia in 2010 and later provided the assist on Julian Green’s memorable strike in 2014, consistently stepping up in key moments on the world stage.

Cobi Jones – While Cobi Jones remains the all-time leader in USMNT caps and earned 11 World Cup appearances across three consecutive tournaments, he did not register any goal contribution in any of those World Cups.

Eddie Pope – Across three World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2006), Eddie Pope was a cornerstone of the USMNT backline, known for his composure, positioning, and aerial dominance. He played a vital role in the team’s run to the quarterfinals in 2002, anchoring a disciplined defense and providing veteran leadership against some of the world’s top attacking talent.

Matt Turner – If Turner earns the starting role and delivers a standout performance during a deep USMNT run, coming up with game-changing saves, he could break into the top 10 while surpassing the current records for wins and shutouts.

#10 – 1930 USMNT Pioneers-TIED

Jimmy Douglas
World Cups: 1 (1930)
Matches: 3
Wins: 2
Shutouts: 2

Bert Patenaude
World Cups: 1 (1930)
Matches: 3
Goals: 4
Assists: 2

With limited historical data and in the context of the very first FIFA World Cup, I’m combining two true pioneers of the USMNT. Jimmy Douglas remains the only USMNT goalkeeper to record two wins and two shutouts in World Cup play, all achieved at the inaugural 1930 tournament, where the United States secured a third-place finish.

On the attacking side, Bert Patenaude scored four goals in that same tournament, including a hat trick in the U.S. second and final group-stage match. His performances were instrumental in helping guide the United States to its third-place finish in the first-ever FIFA World Cup.

#9 – 1950 USMNT Heros-TIED

Frank Borghi
World Cups: 1 (1950)
Matches: 3
Wins: 1
Shutouts: 1

Joe Gaetjens
World Cups: 1 (1950)
Matches: 3
Goals: 1
Assists: 0

Another historic meeting, shaped by similar circumstances to the first group, but what is known for certain is that the USMNT pulled off a stunning victory over one of the top sides at the 1950 World Cup. Frank Borghi delivered a remarkable performance in goal throughout the match, standing firm under relentless pressure.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Joe Gaetjens scored a crucial goal to give the USMNT the lead. From there, the match shifted entirely onto the shoulders of the U.S. defense and goalkeeping, who held strong to secure a famous 1–0 victory over England one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

Earnie Stewart
World Cups: 3 (1994, 1998, 2002)
Matches: 11
Goals: 1
Assists: 0

#8 – 1994 USMNT Trailblazers-TIED

Eric Wynalda
World Cups: 3 (1990, 1994, 1998)
Matches: 8
Goals: 1
Assists: 0

Two of the USMNT’s early trailblazers, Eric Wynalda and Earnie Stewart, delivered defining World Cup moments on home soil at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Both played pivotal roles in energizing a new generation of American soccer fans.

The USMNT’s first goal of that tournament came via one of the most iconic set pieces in World Cup history, earning a crucial draw in the opener. That momentum carried forward when Stewart netted the game-winner against heavily favored Colombia, securing the United States’ first World Cup victory since 1950.

#7 – Claudio Reyna
World Cups: 4 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006)
Matches: 10
Goals: 0
Assists: 0

Named to four World Cup squads and appearing in three, Claudio Reyna was a cornerstone of the USMNT for more than a decade. While he didn’t record a goal contribution on the World Cup stage, his influence was undeniable, dictating tempo, providing composure in midfield, and serving as captain in both the 2002 and 2006 tournaments.

#6 – DaMarcus Beasley
World Cups: 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Matches: 11
Goals: 0
Assists: 1

DaMarcus Beasley is the only USMNT player to appear in four World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014), a testament to his remarkable longevity, versatility, and consistent impact across multiple generations.

He emerged on the global stage at the 2002 World Cup as an explosive, attack-minded winger, using his pace and direct play to stretch defenses and play a key role in the United States’ run to the quarterfinals. As his career progressed, Beasley reinvented himself, most notably transitioning to left back by the 2014 World Cup, where his experience, defensive discipline, and composure helped stabilize the back line against elite international competition.

#5 – Brad Friedel
World Cups: 3 (1994, 1998, 2002)
Matches: 6
Wins: 2
Shutouts: 1

Brad Friedel’s World Cup legacy is defined by consistency, composure, and elite shot-stopping across multiple tournaments. He served as the primary starter at the 2002 World Cup, made a start at the 1998 World Cup, and was the backup to Tony Meola in 1994, providing a steady, reliable presence in goal during a pivotal era for the USMNT.

His standout performances came in 2002, highlighted by his penalty-saving heroics. Friedel recorded two penalty saves in the tournament (excluding shootouts), tying the World Cup record for most in a single edition. His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments played a key role in the United States’ run to the quarterfinals and solidified his place among the program’s all-time great goalkeepers.

#4 – Brian McBride
World Cups: 3 (1998, 2002, 2006)
Matches: 10
Goals: 3
Assists: 1

Brian McBride’s World Cup legacy is defined by big goals, relentless work rate, and a fearless, physical style that helped set the tone for the USMNT on the global stage. He scored the team’s only goal at the 1998 World Cup against Iran, rising to meet a corner kick with authority.

In 2002, he played a pivotal role in the opening-match upset of Portugal, constantly pressuring the defense and helping spark the historic win, before delivering again with a goal against Mexico in the Round of 16 to send the US. to the quarterfinals.

His grit and determination were on full display in his final World Cup in 2006, when he famously continued playing after suffering a broken nose and a bloodied face, an enduring symbol of his toughness, leadership, and commitment to the team.

#3 – Tim Howard
World Cups: 3 (2006, 2010, 2014)
Matches: 8
Wins: 2
Shutouts: 1

A starter in back-to-back World Cups, Tim Howard delivered on the biggest stage when it mattered most. From his record-setting 16-save performance against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeeping displays in World Cup history, to his consistent ability to keep the United States competitive against elite opposition, he repeatedly elevated his game under pressure.

His shot-stopping brilliance, commanding presence, and calm leadership in high-intensity moments define a legacy that places him among the most influential goalkeepers the USMNT has ever had on the World Cup stage.

#2 – Clint Dempsey
World Cups: 3 (2006, 2010, 2014)
Matches: 10
Goals: 4
Assists: 0

From his goal just 29 seconds into the match against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup, the fastest in USMNT World Cup history, to his composed finish against England in 2010 World Cup that helped secure a crucial draw, to becoming the first American to score in three different World Cups, Clint Dempsey consistently delivered on the game’s biggest stage.

Those moments, combined with his toughness, edge, and ability to show up in key situations, cement his place as one of the most impactful USMNT players in World Cup history.

#1 – Landon Donovan
World Cups: 3 (2002, 2006, 2010)
Matches: 12
Goals: 5
Assists: 3

From his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria that sent the USMNT into the knockout stage, to his goal in the “Dos a Cero” victory over Mexico that helped propel the team to the quarterfinals, to his deflected strike off Jorge Costa that contributed to him being named Best Young Player of the 2002 World Cup, Landon Donovan consistently delivered on the biggest stage.

Taken together, those moments make a strong case that he’s been the most impactful USMNT player in World Cup history, and it only adds to the “what if” of how much more he might have achieved had he been part of the 2014 squad.

USMNT

The Return of Third-Place Qualifiers at the FIFA World Cup

Published

6 days ago

June 13, 2026

Thomas Deschaine

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

The expansion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams will dramatically change the race to reach the knockout stage. Under FIFA’s new format, the top eight third-place teams will advance to the Round of 32 alongside the top two teams from each group.

For the past seven World Cups, only the top two teams in each group have advanced to the knockout stage. The last time third-place teams moved on was at the 1994 World Cup, where the USMNT benefited from the format before losing to eventual champions Brazil in the Round of 16.

So how many points will teams need to advance in 2026?

History suggests that five points should safely secure a place in the knockout stage. Across the past seven World Cups, every team with five or more points advanced out of the group stage.

Three points, however, has almost never been enough. The only team to advance with just three points during that span was Chile at the 1998 World Cup.

Four points has produced mixed results. At the 2022 World Cup, three groups featured two teams finishing on four points, but only one team from each of those situations advanced. Similar scenarios also occurred at the 2010 and 2002 World Cups.

Overall, 46 teams have finished the group stage with four points since 1994, but only 20 advanced to the knockout stage. The USMNT accounts for three of those successful four-point campaigns, advancing in 1994, 2002, and 2014.

1986 World Cup

Semi-Finals Match between Belgium and Argentina

The 1986 World Cup was the first tournament with 24 teams to allow four third-place group stage teams to advance to the knockout round. While the 1982 World Cup also featured 24 teams, it used a different format with a second round made up of four groups of three teams, with only the group winners advancing to the semi-finals.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1986 World Cup was that two teams advanced to the knockout stage with just two points, something that seems highly unlikely under the format for the 2026 World Cup.

Among the third-place qualifiers, Belgium made the deepest run, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Argentina.

1990 World Cup

WCUP WORLD CUP SOCCER AREGENTINA GERMANY OLD RIVALS

World Cup Final Argentina against Germany

At the 1990 World Cup, every third-place team that advanced to the knockout stage finished with three points. The biggest surprise was Argentina, the highest-ranked third-place team, making an incredible run all the way to the World Cup Final before falling 1-0 to Germany.

1994 World Cup

The 1994 World Cup was arguably the most fascinating tournament when it came to the impact of third-place teams advancing to the knockout stage and likely played a major role in FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament to 32 teams in 1998.

Here’s a look at the top five FIFA World Cup group stage tiebreakers, which will almost certainly come into play this summer, especially when it comes to ranking the third-place teams.

Overall Goal Difference: The greatest goal difference in all group matches.
Overall Goals Scored: The greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
Head-to-Head Points: The greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned.
Head-to-Head Goal Difference: Superior goal difference in the group matches between the teams concerned.
Head-to-Head Goals Scored: The greatest number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned.

Both Group D and Group F saw three teams finish with six points, something that has not happened at the FIFA World Cup since. That created dramatic tiebreaker scenarios that ultimately determined where all six teams finished in their groups. Of those six teams, only two reached the quarterfinals, with Bulgaria making the deepest run by reaching the semi-finals.

Group E may have been the most fascinating group of the 1994 World Cup. Mexico, Ireland, Italy, and Norway all finished with four points and an identical goal differential of zero. Norway was eliminated after scoring just one goal, the fewest in the group.

Italy, meanwhile, advanced as a third-place team and went all the way to the World Cup Final before losing to Brazil in a penalty shootout, an incredible run considering how close they came to being eliminated in the group stage.

Will the 2026 World Cup Deliver Another Chaotic Group Stage?

With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, the traditional “group of death” may not carry the same weight at the 2026 tournament. Still, that doesn’t mean the group stage will lack drama. Fans will be hoping for the kind of chaotic and unpredictable scenarios that made the 1994 World Cup so memorable, where final group matches carried massive stakes and teams were fighting for survival until the final whistle.

From an entertainment perspective, more meaningful matches late in the group stage would be a huge boost for the tournament, but only time will tell if the expanded format can truly deliver that same level of tension and excitement.

USMNT

The USMNT’s World Cup Legacy: Highs, Lows, and Defining Moments

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2026

Thomas Deschaine

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on Xhttps://x.com/uskeeper/ and us_keeper on Instagram)

The USMNT’s World Cup story stretches back nearly a century to the inaugural tournament in 1930. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the United States’ 12th appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.

Over that time, the Americans have played 37 matches, earning 9 wins, 8 draws, and 20 losses, while scoring 40 goals and conceding 66. The U.S. has advanced to the knockout stage in seven of those tournaments.

Five different USMNT goalkeepers have recorded clean sheets at the World Cup, Matt Turner and Frank Borghi with two each, and Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, and Jimmy Douglas with one apiece.

The USMNT’s top World Cup scorers, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, and Bert Patenaude, all netted multiple goals in a single tournament, cementing their places in U.S. soccer history.

1930 – Uruguay

The inaugural World Cup in Uruguay saw the USMNT surprise the world by reaching the semifinals before falling 6–1 to Argentina. The U.S. dominated the group stage, defeating Belgium and Paraguay 3–0, with Bert Patenaude making history as the first player ever to record a hat trick at a World Cup. The Americans ultimately finished third, still their best result on the world stage to this day.

1934 – Italy

The USMNT’s 1934 World Cup appearance would be a brief one. Just days before the tournament began, the Americans secured qualification by defeating rivals Mexico 4–2 in Rome. Drawn straight into a knockout format, the U.S. faced host nation Italy in their opening match, falling 7–1. Aldo Donelli scored the team’s only goal, following up his remarkable four-goal performance from the qualifier.

1950 – Brazil

The USMNT pulled off arguably the greatest upset in World Cup history, and certainly their biggest win to date, by defeating England 1–0, thanks to Joe Gaetjens’ famous goal. Despite that historic triumph, the Americans fell 3–1 to Spain in their opener and 5–2 to Chile in their final group match, ending their tournament at the group stage.

1990 – Italy

After a forty-year absence, the USMNT returned to the World Cup with a young, hungry, and largely untested squad. Despite a rough start, suffering a 5–1 loss to Czechoslovakia, the Americans rebounded with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over host and eventual third-place finisher Italy before narrowly falling 2–1 to Austria. The invaluable experience gained at this tournament would help lay the foundation for the team’s performance at the 1994 World Cup.

1994 – United States

After several attempts to host a World Cup, the United States was finally awarded the 1994 tournament. The USMNT faced a very tough group but showed determination in all three matches. They opened with a 1–1 draw against Switzerland, with Eric Wynalda scoring a brilliant set-piece goal, still considered one of the best in World Cup history. In their second match, the Americans secured a 2–1 victory over a strong Colombian side, marking their first World Cup win since 1950. A narrow 1–0 loss to Romania in the final group match didn’t stop the U.S. from advancing to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated 1-0 by eventual champions Brazil. The 1994 World Cup had a lasting impact, helping to inspire and shape soccer culture in the United States.

1998 – France

It was an up-and-down cycle for the USMNT, but their fourth-place finish at the 1995 Copa América had fans optimistic about the team’s potential heading into 1998. However, the shocking omission of longtime captain John Harkes, who had worn the armband 30 times, raised serious questions. Meanwhile, trailblazers from earlier cycles struggled to make an impact: Alexi Lalas didn’t play a single minute, Marcelo Balboa saw just eight minutes of action, and Eric Wynalda featured in only two matches for a total of 51 minutes. The Americans went on to lose all three group-stage games, finishing last among the 32 teams.

2002 – Korea / Japan

After a hard-fought qualifying campaign, the USMNT made a memorable run at the 2002 World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals after a historic 2–0 win over regional rivals Mexico. The Americans put in a strong performance against Germany but were denied a potential equalizer when a clear handball went uncalled, ending their dream run with a narrow defeat. Landon Donovan’s breakout performance earned him the tournament’s Best Young Player award.

2006 – Germany

The USMNT entered the 2006 World Cup brimming with confidence, dreaming of another deep run. But drawn into a brutal Group of Death, those hopes quickly unraveled. A 3–0 loss to the Czech Republic stunned the team, though a fierce 1–1 draw with Italy briefly reignited belief. Then came heartbreak, a controversial penalty on Oguchi Onyewu doomed the US to a 2–1 defeat to Ghana and a shocking early exit.

2010 – South Africa

Riding the momentum of their 2009 Confederations Cup runner-up finish, the USMNT entered the 2010 World Cup with real belief and growing hype. Every match in South Africa was a test of grit and heart. The opener against England ended 1–1, with Clint Dempsey’s late first-half strike shocking the favorites. In their second match, the Americans stormed back from two goals down to draw 2–2, keeping their hopes alive. Then came one of the most iconic moments in U.S. soccer history, Landon Donovan’s stoppage-time winner against Algeria, sealing a dramatic 1–0 victory and a place in the knockout stage. But the dream ended in heartbreak, as Ghana once again eliminated the U.S. in extra time, 2–1.

2014 – Brazil

The mood heading into the 2014 World Cup was cautious after Jurgen Klinsmann’s shocking decision to leave Landon Donovan, the team’s all-time leader in goals and assists, off the roster. The USMNT opened against familiar nemesis Ghana, who had eliminated them in the previous two tournaments. This time, redemption arrived when substitute John Brooks headed home a late winner to seal a thrilling 2–1 victory. In their second match against powerhouse Portugal, the Americans came within seconds of back-to-back wins before a last-gasp equalizer from Silvestre Varela snatched away the dream. A 1–0 loss to Germany in the final group game proved enough to advance on goal difference. In the Round of 16, the U.S. faced Belgium’s golden generation, pushing the match into extra time behind Tim Howard’s record-breaking 16 saves, but ultimately fell 2–1 in a valiant defeat that earned global respect.

2018 – Russia

An aging and uninspired USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, marking one of the darkest moments in American soccer history. Bruce Arena later suggested that, had the U.S. made it, the roster would have looked much younger and more dynamic. Still, it’s hard to imagine that group advancing past the group stage, unless teenage sensation Christian Pulisic had delivered a breakout performance on par with Landon Donovan’s heroics in 2002.

2022 – Qatar

A new generation of USMNT players brought back the energy and passion missing in recent cycles. After a turbulent qualifying journey, the Americans opened the World Cup with a 1–1 draw against Wales, Tim Weah’s first-half goal canceled out by Gareth Bale’s late penalty. A gritty 0–0 result against England kept hopes alive before Christian Pulisic’s heroic goal against Iran sent them to the knockouts. Out of gas in the Round of 16, the U.S. fell 3–1 to a superior Netherlands side.

2026 – United States / Mexico / Canada

One thing is certain; the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unlike anything the world has ever seen. It’s destined to break records, captivate audiences, and redefine what soccer means in America. But the story still to be written is that of the USMNT. Can they rise to the moment, ignite a nation, and make a historic run on home soil, proving once and for all that soccer in the United States has arrived and is here to stay?