It was clear prior to the 2022 World Cup that Luis Enrique had his Spain team organized. They had been progressing well since Euro 2020 and expected to reach the semi-finals in Qatar. Whilst it’s not always wise to draw conclusions from one match, the 7-0 dismantling of Costa Rica was eye-opening. So dominant was […]

Japan’s national team navigated a mediocre group in 2018 (Colombia, Senegal, and Poland) to earn four points and a trip to the knockout rounds. How will they fare at World Cup 2022? Even with a better squad – their FIFA ranking has improved from 50 to 24 in four years – the draw provides a […]

The U.S. felt good about its qualifying chances heading into the final game of qualifying in 2017. Bruce Arena and co. beat Panama by four goals in Orlando and traveled to Trinidad & Tobago. All the USMNT really had to do was show up, and they held a spot in Russia. Of the 27 potential […]

Despite what Gregg Berhalter, Earnie Stewart, and Carlos Cordeiro have tried to tell US fans, 2019 was a resounding disappointment for the USMNT. A trio of ugly friendly losses to Jamaica, Venezuela, and Mexico, failing to win the Gold Cup, and then losing to Canada for the first time since Ronald Reagan was president do […]

Former Fulham player Brian Ruiz hammered the final nail in England's coffin earlier today during a shocking 1-0 victory over a one-dimensional Italian side. It is now impossible for the Three Lions to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament. Costa Rica have been the embodiment of this year's World Cup spirit and surprised […]