American broadcasters are pulling out all the stops in their coverage of this summer’s FIFA World Cup. This edition of soccer’s biggest party will be the largest ever, with 48 teams competing, instead of the usual 32, resulting in nearly double the number of games, and the vast majority of them will be taking place in the good old US of A. And with American interests arguably at an all-time high, Fox Sports is treating the occasion with the respect it deserves.
The broadcasting giant has recruited two legends of the beautiful game as part of their presenting team for their 104-game extravaganza. Former Los Angeles Galaxy striker and all-around soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic is confirmed as an analyst, as is iconic former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. But what about the on-field action itself?
Can the US Win the World Cup?
Well, despite lofty expectations both in the media and with American fans, online betting sites aren’t positioning the USMNT as a genuine contender this summer. The latest odds from 7signs online sportsbook list Mauricio Pochettino’s men as a +6500 outsider to win the tournament, the best priced of any of the three co-hosts, but still a million miles behind +450 favorites Spain. A run to the quarterfinals would be considered a success in the eyes of the more educated soccer fan, but if the Stars and Stripes are to make it that far, which players will need to deliver?
We all know of Captain America himself, Christian Pulisic, and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, but here are three somewhat less-known Americans looking to bring glory to the Land of the Free this summer.
Folarin Balogun
Ever since Landon Donovan retired from international football back in 2014, the USMNT has been crying out for a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net. The likes of Jozy Altidore, Timothy Weah, and Josh Sargeant have all tried to be that man to no avail. Now, however, we finally have that man.
Folarin Balogun is the goalscorer that American soccer has desperately craved for so long. The former Arsenal youngster struck 19 times for Monaco this season, including three goals in four games against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. For the Stars and Stripes, he netted three goals in as many games in Friendlies against Japan, Ecuador, and Paraguay late last year, and if he can deliver a similar kind of form at the World Cup, the US will be in with a solid chance of mounting a deep tournament run.
The goals did dry up in the recent games against Germany, Portugal, Senegal, and Belgium, and that will have caused manager Pochettino some concern. However, his side did score six goals across those four fixtures, with Balogun regularly creating space for both Pulisic and McKennie to shine. If he can find the net in the opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium and break his mini-duck, expect the goals to flow throughout the rest of the tournament.
Chris Richards
Defense wins championships. That’s how the old saying goes, and the United States has a solid one. In fact, their central defensive pairing of Chris Richards and Tim Ream is arguably the biggest strength, providing the perfect platform for the likes of Pulisic, McKennie, and Balogun to shine ahead of them.
Richards began his youth career with FC Dallas before moving on to German giants Bayern Munich at just 18 years of age. He would make just four senior appearances across his four years in Bavaria, before a pair of loan stints with fellow Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim proved that he had what it took to thrive in Europe. However, it’s since his move to English Premier League side Crystal Palace that he has truly emerged as a genuinely elite center back.
The Alabama-born defender joined the Eagles in the summer of 2022 and has made 122 appearances in the four years since. He led the club to a shock FA Cup victory against heavyweights Manchester City a year ago, before then going on to win the UEFA Conference League in May. At 6 ft 2, he’s a behemoth in aerial battles, while his apprenticeship with Bayern ensures that he is more than capable of playing out from the back, providing a crucial platform for manager Pochettino to build around.
Tim Ream
Alongside him stands the veteran Ream. The 38-year-old enjoyed a 12-year career in England with Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, amassing over 300 appearances, with 97 of them coming in the Premier League. He returned to the States in 2024, joining Charlotte FC, and he remains one of the best defenders in MLS.
His advancing years could be cause for concern for some, but there is no substitute for experience, and Ream has it in buckets. He will provide an assured presence at the heart of the defense, and with the 26-year-old Richards alongside him doing much of the legwork, the veteran will be somewhat protected, allowing his game IQ to come to the fore.
