In 2018, the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) lost to Trinidad & Tobago, failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. 

     Thereafter,  the USMNT fired their coach to focus on a younger generation led by stars such as Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner. Those stars helped push the USMNT to the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup, along with winning the Gold Cup (once) and Nations League (twice).

     The USMNT is looking to go far in the most prestigious tournament in South America, the Copa America, which will be held in the U.S. in 2024. Fans expect the team to make it out of their group and into the round of 16, especially with home-field advantage for the tournament.

     “It will be interesting to see how they perform [at Copa America]… having home-field advantage should definitely help them,” senior Grant Phillips said.

     The USMNT has even bigger hopes for the World Cup in 2026, with today’s young stars being older and fitter to play at a tournament of that level when it comes around.

     “Even though there could be matches in Canada or Mexico, it [being in the U.S.] is still a huge advantage for the USMNT. For the World Cup, this is the window we have to do something big,” men’s soccer coach Kash Knight said.

     The USMNT players and fans alike have high expectations for the future; however, only time will tell what their limit will be.