Having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team will be anxious to make an impression at this year’s tournament. There is some serious talent in the current roster and it will all be martialed by Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
The minimum target for USMNT will be to get out of their group and progress to the knockout stage. The team is, however, in a tricky section so let’s take a closer look at their opponents.
How Far Can They Go?
The USA has been drawn into Group B alongside England, Iran, and Wales. The sides will play each other once, and the best-performing teams from each section will go through to the knockouts.
According to the bookmakers, England is the favorite to win it, followed by Wales and the US who have very similar odds. Those World Cup betting odds are provided by sportsbooks attached to SBO.net. On the site, there are options for all group winners, together with match betting and other futures.
As soon as the group kicks off, the market will switch to in-play platforms and it will be available until the final games are decided. Visitors to the SBO website can also access news updates and blog posts, together with comprehensive reviews of each betting operator.
There will also be an opportunity to get involved with the markets. Each sportsbook will accept registrations and many start the journey with a generous welcome offer. A qualifying bet will usually be required and a range of funding options can help with deposits.
Along with fast and friendly customer service facilities, other advantages can include additional bonuses, in-play betting, and the possibility of live streaming sports for those who maintain a funded account.
To summarize, the betting community will want to follow this site throughout the World Cup, but who are the teams standing in the way of the USA’s progression?
USA v Wales: November 21
USA’s first game is also their most important. If there is a winner in this opening match, they will have a significant advantage in terms of qualification to the next round. The US has yet to face Wales in a major tournament, but the teams have previously met twice in international friendlies.
The good news is that the United States has the upper hand in terms of head-to-head fixtures. USMNT won 2-0 in 2010 while the 2020 match ended in a goalless draw.
This is, however, a tougher Welsh side. Included in the ranks is Gareth Bale whom Los Angeles FC signed for in January. Bale was part of a strong national squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
USA v England: November 25
This will undoubtedly be the toughest tie for the USA team. England reached the semi-finals of Russia 2018 and they are among the outright favorites to win the tournament in Qatar.
In Harry Kane, they have one of the most prolific strikers in world football and he’s set to break England’s national scoring record at this World Cup.
This is another game where the head-to-head results make positive reading for USMNT fans. England’s loss to the US in the 1950 tournament was considered to be one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time. More recently, the 2010 United States team held the English to a 1-1 draw in South Africa 2010.
Many years on, it’s doubtful as to whether either of those results has any meaning. In all probability, USMNT may have to write this game off and look to pick up points elsewhere.
USA v Iran: November 29
Iran is expected to finish bottom of this group. All remaining teams should be targeting three points against these opponents, so it’s important for the USA to pick up a result against the Welsh.
This is, however, the one game where previous results make for sorry reading. The US and Iran have met just once at the World Cup and that game resulted in a 2-1 win for the Iranians at France in 1998.
More recently, a 2000 friendly produced a 1-1 draw. USMNT fans most hope that qualification is within reach when their team takes on Iran in Doha on November 29.