During the last week of March 2022, the US Men’s National Soccer team traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, in the midst of their spring break to compete for a spot in the 2022 World Cup. 

On September 2, 2021, the World Cup Qualifiers began in Concacaf. USA’s first match was against El Salvador, which ended in a draw of 0-0. The US then went on to face Canada, which resulted in another draw of 1-1. In their third match, the USA got their first win of the tournament against Honduras by 4-1. Team USA carried their momentum on to Jamaica and won another game 2-0. On October 10, 2021, the team was handed their first loss 0-1 to Panama in a very close game. The team continued to keep up their momentum for the rest of the tournament. In their final round at the World Cup Qualifiers, the USA was beaten once more 0-2 by Costa Rica. Team USA finished in 3rd place with a record of seven wins, two losses and five ties.

Despite their loss in the final round, the men were able to qualify for the World Cup due to their standings in the tournament and how they finished. Luckily, the team had lost by less than a deficit of six, which permitted their qualification. The US previously attempted to make it to the World Cup back in 2018, but unfortunately, were not able to compete.

Their participation in the World Cup was the first in almost four decades. The team made history for enduring the 36-year drought and finally qualifying once more for the World Cup. The first stage of the World Cup is set to start on November 21, 2022, for the US and their opponent is unknown. We wish them all our best so they can return back to the United States as World Cup champions.