If we're being realistic, the United States were never going to win the 2022 World Cup. Christian Pulisic, who is the poster-boy of 'soccer' in America, wanted to change the way his country were seen in the sport. He wanted them to be taken more seriously.
"Maybe it hasn't been the top sport back in the States and we want to change the way the world sees American soccer – it's one of our goals," the Chelsea attacker explained prior to the World Cup starting. "We haven't been at the level of some of these world powerhouses in recent decades, but we've had good teams with a lot of heart. We can take it to the next step – a successful World Cup would change a lot."
Put in a group with England, Wales and Iran, USA had a serious chance of progressing to the knockout stages. And they did. After back-to-back draws with Wales and England, the USMNT beat Iran 1-0 to ensure qualification from the group, with that man Pulisic scoring the winner.
