Football

World Cup 2022: Positive takeaways for USMNT after Round of 16 exit

A 3-1 humbling at the hands of the Netherlands brought an end to USMNT’s adventures in Qatar. Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries was the star of the show with two assists and a goal to his name. 

USA

The Netherlands will take on the challenge of Lionel Messi and co. in the quarter-finals while the USA get on their return flights. 

The Americans defied expectations by reaching the knockout rounds, a marked improvement by a side that failed to qualify for the quadrennial event four years ago. 

However, they would be ruing their inability to unlock the Dutch defence, whom they bossed in possession. Moreover, their lack of a natural goalscorer proved to cause their downfall as Gregg Belhalter used a third different striker in the edition. 

Despite the ousting at the first hurdle, Team USA legend Clint Dempsey hailed his countrymen’s efforts. There are positive takeaways from their adventures in Qatar, which bodes well for the 2026 tournament scheduled in their backyard.

USMNT’s average age at Qatar 2022 was just 25. If the unit continues together and can add further quality to their ranks, they can use their experience to further advance in the North American edition in 2026.

Taking into the response received by American fans in attendance and back home in the USA, the stature of football has improved. It should surely inspire the next generation of players and Dempsey is of the opinion that it would help them in the long run. 

‘Look back to 2018, where we were when we didn’t qualify for the World Cup,’ Dempsey remarked on Fox Sports’ post-match program. ‘They got this country believing again.’

‘It’s the experience you get from being in the World Cup and getting out of the group that was one of the highest ranked in all of this tournament and everybody being in the top 20,’ Dempsey said.

‘That’s what we need, and we need to inspire these kids that are coming up, who are going to be the 23-, 22-, 21-year-olds that are going to break into this team and make it better for 2026.’

‘They were watching.’

USA went toe-to-toe with the Netherlands

After taking the lead through Memphis Depay, the Dutch were pegged in their own half. The Netherlands had a 2-0 lead at half-time but it did not stop them from getting a dressing down from Luis van Gaal during the break. 

Team USA held their own against the Dutch, winning the midfield battle despite having Frenkie de Jong on the opposite side. Dempsey was pleased with the fight shown, that not only resulted in them clawing one goal back but also gave them a glimmer of hope for an equalizer. 

‘Midfield was fantastic,’ he said. ‘All these young players, playing at big clubs, they don’t fear anyone, you can see that. They didn’t fear the Dutch.’

‘But even after they scored those two goals, we got that one goal back, there was that moment where you’re thinking, ‘Could it be? Could we get it done?’ Dempsey said. ‘It was just too much for us tonight.’


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