I think that is a fair assessment. However, this country, has never had the ability to produce a player of the caliber you're talking about. And we've pretty much accepted that we won't. I mean 2026 is a hell of a ways away and I don't think anyone was ever looking at 2022 like a great cycle. Striker can improve. But I agree it's bad.
But if I'm not mistaken I would say only a handful of guys you're talking about are on that level. You have the messi's, de bruyne's, Haaland's, mbappe's and so on.
But like what did Lewandowski ever win with Poland? Our top guys maybe weaker than good teams best guys, but I think 1-10 they're set up pretty respectably. Their worst guy or two is gonna be rough. But the top 8 players for the first time, I think the US has guys with talent who measure up. Not just athletes.
I mean whether the talent realizes it's potential who knows and of course that's the most important part. But the team has never had anyone like Pulisic or Reyna. McKennie and Musah I wanna see grow together in the midfield. You got Dest with potential. I like Brooks physicality, if he can be a little more consistent. You still got guys like Fuentes to hold out hope for. Richards too.
Their isn't any "world class" talent in my opinion, but potentially right in those two tiers under that of really good players. We've never had that. Like 5 or 6 of these kids are gonna be light years better than US soccer's golden child Donovan. I actually think they are. That fraud could never succeed in Europe and his mentality was crap. I'll stop, I've gone enough already.
They're not gonna win a qworld cup but I'm looking forward to a realistic look at a run to the quarters depending on the draws over the next decade.