It really does seem like almost anything is possible for the U.S. men’s national team at this World Cup.
There is a very defensible pessimistic view that the USMNT is too flimsy at the back, too inexperienced, lacking a defined method for breaking down opponents and an established scorer, and facing a difficult group. The result could be something similar to the 1998 tournament when it finished dead last out of 32 teams, losing to Iran in the process.
But! There are also lots of reasons to believe this World Cup could more closely resemble 2002: young up-and-coming stars breaking out on the world stage and helping the USMNT to the quarterfinals … or beyond??
It all seems to be on the table. Ahead of Monday’s kickoff, let’s break down the four paths this World Cup journey could take the USMNT, with the (extremely unscientific) likelihood of each situation happening.