Will the New, European-Playing Generation of American Soccer Stars Bring Glory in the World Cup?

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Team USA qualified for the World Cup in Qatar after shockingly missing out in Russia four years ago. Generation shift is coming into fruition, and with new prominent players with impactful roles in big European clubs, America could revive World Cup ambitions.

Although qualifications in the CONCACAF group weren’t perfect, the US men’s national team qualified behind Canada and Mexico. The new core of players also notched the Nations League, the Gold Cup, and a win over Mexico last year.

It all starts with Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic is Chelsea’s forward/winger who plays as a rotation player with impactful appearances in both Premier League and UEFA Champions League. His versatile two-foot style, agility, and stature are a great reason to buy Chelsea tickets. In the packed attacking room for the Blues, Pulisic scored six goals in 22 appearances in the 2021/22 season. He also played in seven Champions League games, where he scored twice.

Christian Pulisic is the first US team player to play and win the Champions League. The American forward is undoubtedly a leader of the national team and the most prolific star capable of making a difference in the attacking area. Pulisic was among players who failed to qualify for the last World Cup and used that experience to improve.

He was the top scorer with six goals in CONCACAF qualifications, including a hat-trick in the last home game when the US demolished Panama 5-1.

Other emerging US stars that play in Europe

Giovanni Reyna played a crucial role in the Borussia Dortmund squad, and the 19-year-old lifted his first trophy after BVB won the DFB Pokal, defeating RB Leipzig in the final. Son of renewed player Claudio Reyna, played for City FC Academy until he transferred to Borussia in 2019.

The attacking midfielder debuted for Borussia in 2020 and scored his first goal in his second month in rotation. He became the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history. He scored the first Bundesliga goal in the next season in only 17 years.

Weston McKennie draws massive attention from major European clubs. He moved from Schalke 04 to Juventus, where he established himself as a dependable box-to-box midfielder. Weston had 34 appearances and four goals in the first entire season with Juventus.

Sergiño Dest is an upcoming star full-back currently on the Barcelona roster. He came from Ajax and is yet to establish himself as a first-team player. However, in the last season, he appeared 17 times and scored two goals as a defender. Another talented defender Chris Richards is currently on the Bayern Munich roster, where he tries to compete for the first team. He was on loan in Hoffenheim and is presently on Bayern’s squad.

Mallorca’s Matthew Hope is a talented forward who came to Spain from Schalke 04. He was the first American to score a hat-trick in Bundesliga, and after a rewarding season in sunny Mallorca. Hope draws the interest of Premier League teams.

Former New York Red Bulls defender Tyler Adams plays for RB Leipzig, and Timothy Chandler plays for UEFA League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Playing in big-name European clubs will help the USA match up against England, Iran, and Wales in World Cup Group B.

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