The World Cup Draw Is Complete And The United States Has A Pretty Good Path Out Of The Group
The draw is (finally) done and with the United States set to host the World Cup for the first time since 1994 we definitely avoided the "Group Of Death" scenario. The United States is in a group with Paraguay, Australia, and the eventual winner of the European playoff group consisting of Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo. Things could've been a LOT worse.
Paraguay isn't a slouch, but they're the lowest qualifier from South America. On paper, USA is a much deeper and stronger team.
Australia was probably the worst team available from Pot B and the United States just beat them in a friendly not too long ago.
The tricky part will be the European team. Odds are that it will be Turkey. That will be settled after those playoffs start March 26th. Turkey, if they survive the playoff, might end up being the favorite to win the Group with the US right behind them. They've got really good players up and down their lineup. I will be rooting for Kosovo to come through the group, but Turkey isn't the worst thing ever. Not a bad thing to have one team that will challenge you thoroughly in the group before heading to the knockout phase of the tournament.
Borderline best case scenario for the United States who never seems to have good draw luck. The expanded field this year kind of waters down the group stage. No such thing as an easy draw for the United States and I wish we got Uzbekistan somehow, but beggars can't be choosers.
The US has played well the last few times out. Feels like they've turned a corner under Poch. I can't decide what I think qualifies as a "successful" tournament for our "golden generation" on home soil, but I am officially not worried about getting out of the group. Especially because there's going to be a few third place finishers that get through to the playoff anyways. Great opportunity to do something memorable this year.
Full field
If there is a group of death it's looking like the England group. Croatia on their last run with their own golden generation which has been so close to winning a major trophy so many times. Panama is frisky. Ghana still gives me PTSD as an American.
I love this tournament. Now we just need to get the Irish fans in to make this an incredible field for the world's biggest tournament.