The United States heads into the World Cup hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002.While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and only a few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16.“It would be everything to win, and especially to do it in your home, in front of your friends, your families, the people that have supported you throughout your whole career that are closest to you,” midfielder Weston McKennie said.The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans are 1-7 in knockout World Cup matches, the only win over regional rival Mexico in 2002.Since reaching the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930, the furthest the U.S. has advanced was the 2002 quarterfinals. While it has lost eight straight matches to European opponents since 2022, getting outscored 22-6, the Americans have a high level of confidence.Coach Mauricio Pochettino, hired in September 2024 after the U.S. was eliminated in the Copa America group stage, told players they can win the title.“Why not us?” he said during a March training camp. “We need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream.”The Americans open against Paraguay on June 12 before facing Australia and Turkey in Group D.Goalkeeper used to be an American strength, with Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan all highly regarded.Matt Turner, the U.S. starter in 2022, has been displaced as No. 1 by Matt Freese. The Americans are likely to head to the World …
