While the U.S. men’s national team continues preparing for this fall’s World Cup with Sunday’s friendly against South American power Uruguay, the game that’ll have the most impact on the Americans’ fortunes in Qatar will be played more than 4,000 miles to the east in Wales.
Hours before the U.S. takes the field at Sporting Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Park, Wales will host Ukraine in Cardiff to determine the last of Europe’s 13 World Cup participants. The victor will become the Americans’ opponent on the tournament’s opening day, thus establishing the matchup that’ll set their World Cup tone while, potentially, adding to a group already rich in emotion and narrative.
Wales, long overshadowed by England, is vying for its first World Cup berth in 64 years. But the Dragons’ recent return to the top tier of the global game, highlighted by a run to the Euro 2016 semis and a place in FIFA’s top 20, has been eclipsed by the sentiment fueling Ukraine’s qualification bid.
