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<p>As far fetched as it may seem, there is a USA path to the World Cup Final in 2022. Come to think, there are a handful of potential landing spots depending on how the Group stage plays out.</p>
<p>By no means is the U.S.&nbsp;<em>expected&nbsp;</em>to reach the Final. Even then, the USMNT is certainly on the rise. CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League wins in 2021 show that much. Plus, the Americans finished third in World Cup qualifying despite <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/09/usmnt-injury-crisis-world-cup/">battling injuries</a>. That unfortunate trend might continue as the World Cup nears.</p>
<p>Regardless, the United States is something of a dark horse come the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 World Cup</a>. A young team with the majority of its players appearing in their first World Cup is not the recipe for success. However, it is a talented side with many players now featuring for big-time clubs overseas such as Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and more. For the majority of the names on the projected squad, it is a competitive game against sides outside North America.</p>
<p>Those first games include Wales, Iran and one of the tournament’s favorites, England. These Group stage games will be the starting point on the USA path to the World Cup Final.</p>
<p>You can play along and make your own simulations for the World Cup using our <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup predictor</a>. Find out the Round of 16 matchups based on the results of each Group stage game, including tiebreakers if applicable. Be sure to share your bracket and knockout stages in the comments.</p>
<h3>USA path to the World Cup Final</h3>
<p>Of course, if the United States finishes third or fourth after the round-robin Group stage games, the path to the World Cup Final is pretty short. In other words, it does not exist. Therefore, for our purposes, we will look at what can happen if the U.S. finishes second or first in the group.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that there are way too many permutations of who the United States could play in each round of the knockout stages. Based on how the Group stage plays out, there could be any choice of nation the U.S. plays in the latter knockout stages.</p>
<p>That being said, there are certain similarities. The Group B runner-up plays the Group A winner in the round of 16. Consequently, the Group A runner-up plays the Group B winner in the same round. There are connections for Groups A and B, Groups, C and D, Groups E and F and Groups G and H in the round of 16, and further ones as the knockout stage progresses.</p>
<p><a href="https:\/\/www.worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/images/WC2022_Bracket.pdf"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/www.worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/images/WC2022_Bracket.pdf"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-386614 size-full" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220623_WST_390553_world-cup-bracket.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=725" alt="" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/world-cup-bracket.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/world-cup-bracket-600x363.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/world-cup-bracket-150x91.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/world-cup-bracket-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<h5>Easiest path to the Final</h5>
<p>Let’s start with some wishful thinking. The United States finishes top of Group B. England fans, do not worry. The English still reach the knockout stages in the USMNT’s shadow. The United States, as group winners, plays the runner-up of Group A. Safe to say the Netherlands finishes top of that group if everything goes as planned. The runner-up would then be Ecuador, Qatar or Senegal. Not easy fixtures, but certainly winnable games for the United States. The Americans did defeat Qatar at the 2021 Gold Cup.</p>
<p>So, we’ll say the United States has the task of sending the hosts Qatar home. Gregg Berhalter’s side punches its ticket to the quarterfinals for the first time in 20 years.</p>
<p>The quarterfinals could get sticky. The round of 16 tie between the winner of Group D and the runner-up of Group C could easily be France vs Argentina. Just as easily, it could be Denmark vs Mexico. None of those teams are slouches. In this easiest hypothetical, let’s say the United States plays the winner of Denmark vs Mexico. Maybe France slipped up and finished runner-up in that group. This is another winnable fixture. If it is Mexico, then the United States has ample experience of success in the previous 16 months. However, Denmark is one of the tournament’s outside contenders. The United States puts out a strong performance and reaches the semifinals.</p>
<p>The other quadrant of the bracket is nightmare fuel. If we base who wins and finishes runner-up on <a href="https:\/\/soccer.nbcsports.com/2022/06/14/world-cup-2022-odds-favorites-underdogs-group-stage-winners/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the betting odds entering the World Cup</a>, here are the other four teams in the United States’ side of the bracket:</p>
<p>Germany finishes runner-up of Group E, Belgium wins Group F, Switzerland goes second in Group G and Portugal tops Group H. Now, could a Costa Rica, Canada or Ghana mix all that up? Absolutely. In fact, that is likely to happen. However, in keeping <em>some form&nbsp;</em>of realism, let us say the United States has to play one of Germany, Belgium, Switzerland or Portugal in the semifinals.</p>
<p>These sides are all in the top-16 of the <a href="https:\/\/www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13687" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official FIFA World Rankings</a>. The easiest is probably Switzerland, who does have a knack for playing spoiler at major tournaments (see round of 16 at Euro 2020 against France). At this point in the tournament it largely comes down to fate. The United States could just as easily beat each of these teams as it could lose 4-0. However, it is a legitimate chance at reaching the World Cup Final.</p>
<h5>Worst case scenario</h5>
<p>Let’s pump the USMNT brakes for a minute.</p>
<p>In the worst cast scenario from Group B, we’ll say the United States finishes runner-up. Although it does not matter, we’ll say it came down to the final minutes just to give the USMNT fans a little more stress that they surely love.</p>
<p>Many of these games align with the USA’s easier path to the World Cup Final. Yet, they are just the better team from the group. The round of 16 tie would put the United States against the Netherlands. Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt are world class talents, or at least have potential to be. The greatness stretches across the board for a country that failed to qualify for Russia 2018 and certainly has some pent-up frustration and embarrassment.</p>
<p>But, hey, somehow, the United States beats the Netherlands. Their prize is a date against the winner of France and Argentina. Pick your poison. The Americans get to play the reigning World Champions that has the deepest squad in the World led by the most in-form player on the planet in Karim Benzema plus some PSG player named Kylian Mbappé. Or, the USMNT faces Argentina and Lionel Messi in what is the current PSG player’s likely last World Cup. By the way, Argentina is still on a ridiculous win streak that includes the Copa America and <em>Finalissima</em> over Italy.</p>
<p>If the USA can get past the Netherlands and one of those two sides, it will be the Cinderella run of Cinderella runs at the World Cup. If the groups play out in a certain way, the next four teams could be just as challenging. For example, Brazil and Spain win their groups, as they are expected to do. Belgium and Portugal finish second, which in all honesty could easily happen. The United States plays the winner of whatever team emerges from the dogfight of Brazil, Spain, Belgium and Portugal. These are top-10 sides in the World Rankings, and at that point, as American fans, the U.S. is playing with house money.</p>
<p>Not to be a pessimist, but that seems too far-fetched to be true. However, it would be the most special two weeks in the history of American soccer if half of that happens. Then, just for good measure, cap it off with revenge against England in the World Cup Final.&nbsp;<em>Soccer&nbsp;</em>comes home.</p>


As hard as it may be to believe, there is a path that the USA can follow to reach the World Cup Final in 2022. Is it feasible to believe?

USA path to the World Cup Final in 2022 - World Soccer Talk

USA path to the World Cup Final in 2022

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<p>Three of the four games during <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/09/usmnt-search-for-a-striker/">this June window</a> have gone quite well for the USMNT.</p>
<p>First, Cincinnati hosted a solid 3-0 friendly win over World Cup-bound Morocco. Then, there was a 0-0 friendly draw with quality South American side Uruguay in Kansas City.</p>
<p>After that game, the mentality change slightly. Friendlies finished, and competitive games loomed on the calendar. The first of those competitive games was a decent, workman like performance in the Nations League opener. The U.S. dispatched Grenada, 5-0, in Austin. Now comes the most challenging game of the summer. The U.S. takes a trip down to Central America for a competitive Nations League fixture against El Salvador.</p>
<h3>USMNT road struggles</h3>
<p>The argument can be made that the Uruguay game was the toughest game of the window for the US. After all, Uruguay is the 13th-ranked country in the world. Plus, some of its players apply their trade in the European club game. However, that was just a friendly. Moreover, it was in front of a home crowd.</p>
<p>This game against El Salvador is tougher beyond the sense that it is a competitive game. It is a road game where the U.S., historically, struggles to get results. The last American win in El Salvador came in a World Cup Qualifier all the way back in <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/158795">October of 2004</a>. That year, Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson each scored to earn three points for the US on the way to Germany 2006. In fact, wins on the road have been something of a challenge for the USA for several years now.</p>
<p>During the current cycle, November 2017 to present, the U.S. posted a record of just two wins, seven losses and six draws in true road games. In the previous cycle, from September 2014 to October 2017, the USMNT road struggles persist with a record of 6-7-4.</p>
<p>The best teams in the world are able to go into hostile environments and get results. If the U.S. wants to become one of those teams, this trip to El Salvador would be the perfect time to start.</p>
<h5>El Salvador</h5>
<p>El Salvador proved to be a tough out for the U.S. during the most recent World Cup Qualifying campaign. The two games between the two sides yielded a scoreless draw in San Salvador before a 1-0 win in Columbus. That did not prevent the Salvadorians from being pretty poor overall.</p>
<p>El Salvador finished seventh in the eight-team qualifying group with just 10 points from 14 games. However, they decided to stick with former US international Hugo Perez as their manager. He provides a level of stability lacking in El Salvador for quite some time. Allegations of match fixing and consequent suspensions and fines transpired.</p>
<p>Their roster features six players based at U.S. clubs. Goalkeeper Tomas Romero represents LAFC, and Darwin Ceren plays for Houston Dynamo. The other four players all play in the USL Championship. They are Ronald Rodriguez (FC Tulsa), Eric Calvillo (El Paso Locomotive), Roberto Molina (Las Vegas Lights) and Joaquin Rivas (FC Tulsa).</p>
<p>El Salvador leads CONCACAF Nations League Group D. However, it has two games to its resume, while the U.S. has just one.</p>
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<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Nation</th>
<th>Points</th>
<th style="text-align: center;">Record (W-L-D)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><em>El Salvador</em></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1-0-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><em>United States</em></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1-0-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><em>Grenada</em></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0-2-1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h5>
When, Where</h5>
<ul>
<li>Tuesday, June 14, 2022</li>
<li>Estadio Cuscatlan</li>
<li>San Salvador, El Salvador</li>
<li>10pm ET</li>
<li>FS1, Univision, TUDN</li>
</ul>
<h5>All-Time Series</h5>
<ul>
<li>USA leads 19-0-6</li>
</ul>
<h5>Last Meeting</h5>
<ul>
<li>Thursday, January 27, 2022</li>
<li>Lower.com Field</li>
<li>Columbus, Ohio</li>
<li>USA 1-0 El Salvador</li>
</ul>
<h5>Current FIFA Ranking</h5>
<ul>
<li>USA: 15</li>
<li>El Salvador: 74</li>
</ul>


In the CONCACAF Nations League, the USMNT has a chance to tackle is road struggles on Tuesday night in El Salvador.

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USA path to the World Cup Final in 2022

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Preview: USMNT road struggles on center stage at El Salvador