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Στις 6 το απόγευμα ώρα Ελλάδος

USMNT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE: 'WE CAN BE GIANTS EVENTUALLY'

AL RAYYAN, Qatar – For the last four years, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and the rest of the U.S. men's national team have talked openly and often about their collective goal of "changing the way the world views American soccer."

Despite Saturday's disappointing but deserved 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, the Americans believe they have done exactly that over the last two weeks in Qatar.

"This tournament has really restored a lot of belief, restored a lot of respect to U.S. Soccer and soccer in our country," McKennie told reporters in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat at Khalifa International Stadium. "I think we've shown that we can be giants eventually. We may not be there yet, but I think we're definitely on our way."

It's understandable that some fans don't want to hear that. Not now. In the wake of yet another bitter World Cup exit in the first match of the knockout phase — the Americans were also eliminated at this stage in 2010 and 2014 — it's easy to be pessimistic, to think that no progress has been made. The heartbreak is still fresh. It's hard to put that emotion aside and look clear-eyed at the bigger picture.

McKennie is right that the U.S. men still aren't yet legitimate World Cup contenders. 

The Netherlands — the best country never to win the title and one capable of hoisting the trophy later this month — were an obvious step up in class. The Dutch ruthlessly punished the U.S. for not converting its chances. Before the Americans knew what hit them, they were already chasing the game.

The future is bright, we can't wait for 2026 🇺🇸 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mNAjEGt4Ii

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 4, 2022

But the USA's performance in Qatar must be viewed in the context of what came before it. The American men didn't even qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Not only did this historically young team made it back, they survived arguably the toughest group in the competition and, in the process, provided some hope that they can make real noise in 2026, when the country will host an expanded 48-team event along with continental neighbors Canada and Mexico.

"We didn't qualify for the last World Cup, and here we are in the round of 16," an almost inconsolable Pulisic said after their run here came to an end. "We've definitely come a long way."

That doesn't mean the Americans leave Qatar satisfied. They think they could've gone a little further this year, and they're as disappointed with Saturday's loss as anyone. 

Nobody was more upset than Pulisic, whose game winner in the final first round match against Iran will be the lasting image of this squad's run. 

"It hurts after a tough loss like that," Pulisic said. "We feel like we could have could have had more."

For the U.S. players and their supporters, that pain will no doubt linger. As the days and weeks pass, though, fans and the team will perhaps gain a greater appreciation of the journey they went on together over the last three weeks. 

"There's, for sure, moments that we can be proud of," Pulisic said.

Their performances might even have changed a few minds.

"They're really tough," Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert said of the Americans. "They go like hell. They're working together. They don't give up. The U.S., they have a good squad. We're happy that we beat them."

"Everyone can be proud with how we've handled ourselves, how we've carried ourselves, and the effort we've put in," U.S. left back Antonee Robinson added. "It's a very young group."

The second-youngest squad in the tournament, in fact. For all of them except veteran right back DeAndre Yedlin, this was their first World Cup experience.

"I think this team has given a lot of people hope. I think people see the talent on this team, and they get excited," Yedlin said. "It's a step forward."

Several things can be true simultaneously. Players and fans can be both sad and proud. They can be both happy with reaching the second round after an eight-year World Cup hiatus and still not satisfied by it. 

The U.S. team's showing at Qatar 2022 can be both a success and a disappointment. That mix of emotions alone is a sign of progress.

There were no silver linings when an almost entirely different American squad failed to make it to the biggest stage four years ago. This new generation picked a devastating program up off the mat. 

Despite taking one on the chin against a superior foe with the entire world watching, the core of this U.S. team will live to fight another day. 

"This was a big opportunity for a lot of us in this tournament and I think we did really well with it," McKennie said. "Obviously, we went out, and it sucks. But at the same time, a lot of us will use this as a chip on our shoulder over the next four years to try and prove what we can do."

Read more from the World Cup:

UFC Tonight: Thompson vs Holland results and post-battle examination

No. 4 USC Football Tumbles To No. 11 Utah At Pac-12 Title Game

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Argentina reach quarter-finals for 10th time: Beat Australia 2-1, Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo

Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 in the second pre-quarter final of the Football World Cup being played in Qatar. With this win, Argentina have secured their place in the quarter-finals for the 10th time. They will face Netherlands in the quarter finals. This match between both will be played on December 9. Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a brilliant goal in his 1000th match and played an important role in the team's victory.

In the 35th minute of the match, Messi scored a great goal to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. It was the 789th goal of Messi's career. Junion Alvarez scored in the 57th minute of the match to give the team a 2-0 lead.

Messi surpasses Ronaldo Messi has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in World Cup goals. It was Messi's 9th goal of the World Cup, while his third goal of the tournament. Ronaldo has scored eight goals in the World Cup so far. Along with this, Messi has managed to score a goal in the World Cup knockout for the first time.

Australia scored a goal with Fernandes' own goal. Australia got their first goal in the 77th minute. The ball hit Argentina's Enzo Fernandes and went into the goal post when his player Craig Goodwin took a shot. This is how Fernandes scored his own goal. Australia then had a chance at the end of injury time, but Argentina goalkeeper Amy Martinez saved it and gave the team the win.

Argentina reached the quarter-finals after eight years Argentina reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup after eight years. Earlier in 2014, Argentina managed to reach the quarter finals. Even then Lionel Messi was the captain of the team. Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 to enter the semi-finals.

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World Cup 2022: Memphis Depay trolls Charles Barkley following the Netherlands' win over US

Memphis Depay scored in the 10th minute

Memphis Depay opened up the scoring for the Netherlands in the first half against the United States soccer team in their World Cup match on Saturday and the squad never looked back.

Daley Blind added one more before the first-half whistle to put the Netherlands up 2-0. The U.S. would get one back in the 76th minute with an incredible goal from Haji Wright. But Denzel Dumfries would be unmarked in the 81st minute and fire one past Matt Turner.

The Netherlands won the match 3-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

After the match, Depay fired a shot at Charles Barkley, who predicted the U.S. would beat the Netherlands following the team’s win over Iran.

"Lotta bark, no bite," Depay tweeted.

Lotta bark, no bite. pic.twitter.com/a43wWacY9v

— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) December 3, 2022

Barkley said Tuesday the Netherlands was in trouble.

Memphis Depay during Netherlands' World Cup match against the U.S. in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

"We’re going for it all," he said. "I want Spain. I want Brazil. I want Germany. I want France. Oh, they got my boy Mbappe over there in France. He ain’t no joke, but we’re going to beat the Netherlands."

“I GUARANTEE THE NETHERLANDS IN TROUBLE" 🗣⚽️ Charles is all in on the @USMNT pic.twitter.com/QL5Idqydrk

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 30, 2022

Barkley said the U.S. would open up "a can of whoop a--" on the Dutch.

Netherlands players celebrate their second goal by Daley Blind during the World Cup match against the United States, at the Khalifa International Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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Argentina reach quarter-finals for 10th time: Beat Australia 2-1, Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo

Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 in the second pre-quarter final of the Football World Cup being played in Qatar. With this win, Argentina have secured their place in the quarter-finals for the 10th time. They will face Netherlands in the quarter finals. This match between both will be played on December 9. Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a brilliant goal in his 1000th match and played an important role in the team's victory.

In the 35th minute of the match, Messi scored a great goal to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. It was the 789th goal of Messi's career. Junion Alvarez scored in the 57th minute of the match to give the team a 2-0 lead.

Messi surpasses Ronaldo Messi has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in World Cup goals. It was Messi's 9th goal of the World Cup, while his third goal of the tournament. Ronaldo has scored eight goals in the World Cup so far. Along with this, Messi has managed to score a goal in the World Cup knockout for the first time.

Australia scored a goal with Fernandes' own goal. Australia got their first goal in the 77th minute. The ball hit Argentina's Enzo Fernandes and went into the goal post when his player Craig Goodwin took a shot. This is how Fernandes scored his own goal. Australia then had a chance at the end of injury time, but Argentina goalkeeper Amy Martinez saved it and gave the team the win.

Argentina reached the quarter-finals after eight years Argentina reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup after eight years. Earlier in 2014, Argentina managed to reach the quarter finals. Even then Lionel Messi was the captain of the team. Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 to enter the semi-finals.

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You can leave your thoughts in our comment box

You can contact us to let us know if we are missing something on our page. I hope you like it. In fact, Thank you for your visit to the StepPhase website.

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