USA vs The World (Cup)
At Smack Apparel we pride ourselves on being an βeverything sportsβ company. With the World Cup coming up next week we wanted to make sure our Smack Fam is ready for some office talk around the water cooler.
Here are some quick facts about USA Soccer that will have you going from clueless to sounding like Ted Lasso.
Youthful Energy
This year USA will feature the youngest team in the entire tournament but donβt let their age fool you, these kids can ball. While we may be young, this is the first time in the history of USA;s men's soccer that the roster consists of players who are playing in the four biggest leagues in the world.
Here to Play
Not to get too technical but this yearβs team is going to showcase a total philosophical change in the way US Soccer goes about their business. In years past the US soccer model was to play really structured defense and hope they could score a goal on a corner kick, a free kick or on a counter attack. This new USA has other plans. Expect to watch a team that isnβt afraid to take risks (for better or for worse) and wants to have possession of the ball more than they want to defend.
This new philosophy is more in line with how the rest of the world plays and the US is making a conscious effort to adapt to the worldβs game.
Matt Turner
Thereβs a new man in goal for the US Soccer team and his name is Matt Turner. Turner has an incredible story as his rise to the number one goalkeeper in this country was anything but traditional. Turner didnβt start playing soccer until the age of 16 and only started playing so he could stay in shape for other sports. He was a quick study and decided to fully commit to soccer when he walked on to the soccer team at Fairfield University. Turner had a solid collegiate career which awarded him a try out with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.
Turner made the team, eventually won the starting job and since then his career has taken off like a rocket ship. Turner made the move to England this summer and is the number two goalkeeper for Arsenal in the English Premier League. He is capable of making big time saves which is important because he will have to stand on his head if the US has any chance of making a run
Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic
Here are two names to jot to memory as we think these are the most important players on the roster. Gio Reyna (son of former US National team player Claudio Reyna) is arguably the best player that US Soccer has ever rostered. His name isnβt in the headlines as much because he has dealt with a rash of injuries but when he is on the field he is a complete difference maker.
Christian Pulisic aka Captain America is a name that should sound familiar to even the least knowledgeable sports fans out there. He was the first US Soccer player of this new generation to make the leap overseas straight out of highschool and has been playing in the spotlight for nearly six years now. Pulisic is the face and heartbeat of this team and this opportunity is one he personally has been waiting for a long time after missing out in 2018. We fully expect Pulisic to stand out and have a hell of a tournament.
Should We Believe?!
You're damn right we should! While we may be young the US soccer team has a swagger about them we havenβt seen in a long time. These kids go up against the best players in the world on a weekly basis when they are playing for their club teams and show zero fear when they all get together and represent our country.
Of course USA winning a World Cup is a long shot but crazy things in sports happen all the time and this year's team might just be crazy enough to pull off the miracle!