USMNT in danger of not going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Gregg Berhalter has done a terrific job with the Stars and Stripes but even so, the USMNT is in danger of not going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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Christian Pulisic's team faces not one, but the three toughest opponents in CONCACAF: Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica.

Why is the USMNT in danger of not going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

The underlying issue is the difficulty of the opponents: although Gregg Berhalter's team has been dominant in most of the World Cup Qualifiers, they must not forget that this round is all about killing or being killed.

And in that case, if there are three teams that are ready to give everything on the field, it is precisely those that Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic's team will face, and they must arrive at this match with the same mentality as their rivals. 

Therefore, it is necessary to review the performance of the USMNT's next opponents to know how things could turn out for Gregg Berhalter's team. 

The Mexican national soccer team

The most bitter rival of the United States in CONCACAF, this team until before 2021 was the Giant of the confederation because it used to win with some ease not only international tournaments. 

It also won the World Cup Qualifiers with ease, but from 2021 to the present, this team has made life difficult for itself by calling up players who do not have the necessary merits to play in the qualifiers. 

Or in the opposite case, they do not call up players who in the Liga MX tournament perform much better than those called up, as in the case of Alan Mozo of Pumas UNAM.

However, the way things are going, everything indicates that the team coached by Gerardo Martino will take to the field at the Azteca Stadium with a knife between their teeth, to try to snatch the three available points from the Stars and Stripes.

Panama

The team coached by Thomas Christiansen knows that in their visit to Orlando next Sunday, March 27, they will be playing for their lives as they are in fourth place in the competition. 

The squad currently has 17 points and if they beat Honduras next Thursday, March 24, and the USMNT loses or draws with Mexico, they will put Gregg Berhalter's team in serious trouble. 

Christiansen has called up not only Cecilio Waterman but also Romell Quioto, the lethal CF Montréal attacking midfielder who has been scoring in the current MLS campaign. 

In addition, he will also count on Bryan Acosta, one of the most dangerous elements of the Colorado Rapids, which will put pressure on the midfield. 

Costa Rica

Another of the most dangerous rivals in the confederation, coached by Luis Fernando Suárez, who not only has an excellent squad that he has been directing since 2021. 

They also have a player in goal who could easily be considered the best goalkeeper in the history of CONCACAF: Keylor Navas. 

The Tico goalkeeper is not only a La Liga champion, but has won the UEFA Champions League on 3 occasions, and 4 FIFA Club World Cup titles.

What other weapons does Suarez have to face the USMNT? He has Ronald Matarrita, who scored with FC Cincinnati, and Joel Campbell, who is having a great tournament with Monterrey.

Should the USMNT be worried? Yes, but if they stick to Gregg Berhalter's game plan, they probably won't miss out on the chance to go to the World Cup in Qatar, unlike in Russia.

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