U.S. World Cup worries grow, draw with Saudis in last tuneup
U.S. internationals worry ahead of World Cup draw. With top-seeded Brazil facing Colombia on Thursday, the U.S. may not be too eager to take the field.
As the first World Cup in 12 years draws to a close, the U.S. is still struggling for momentum following its first-ever victory in a major tournament.
Some would say that’s because the U.S. isn’t playing to its full potential.
Instead, it may be the case that the Americans are still dealing with the consequences of its shock defeat to Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the Gold Cup four weeks ago.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster for sure,” midfielder Michael Bradley said. “I think it’s a matter of we got a bad result in a really tough environment, and you get a bad result even though you have everything going your way. Our biggest goal is just to keep on going.”
In an effort to do just that, national team staff are now trying to take stock of what went wrong and correct them in the face of adversity. Before it’s too late.
There’s another issue looming on the horizon, too: How will the U.S. fare should it move on to the second round of the World Cup, which begins May 24 in Brazil?
Ahead of that contest, the U.S. will go into Thursday’s friendly play against Colombia with three questions:
1) Is the national team ready to handle a bigger challenge?
The U.S. is in its second World Cup, and a first win came in the 2006 Gold Cup. It’s been 10 years since the U.S. last had a run to the quarterfinals in men’s or women’s soccer at the men�