The hopes and goals of the United States males’s nationwide crew got here to an finish on Saturday, because the USMNT was knocked out of the World Cup with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands.
If you’re a supporter of the USMNT, the top of their run doesn’t imply your rooting pursuits have to attract to an in depth. There is numerous unbelievable soccer left to be performed, and as such, it could be time to discover a new crew to comply with for the subsequent few weeks.
If you might be having bother arising with a nation to help, now we have you lined. Here are some strategies.
The crew that knocked the US out: The Netherlands
For some, there’s honor and glory in seeing a crew that eradicated your nation go on to glory.
If that sounds such as you, then supporting the Netherlands could be the transfer.
What may sweeten the deal? The undeniable fact that they’ve by no means gained the World Cup. Despite showing in three World Cup Finals — most lately in 2010 — they’ve by no means claimed soccer’s final prize.
The greatest underdogs left: Australia
If you might be studying this, you might be seemingly a USMNT fan, which implies you might be already aware of rooting for an underdog.
If that sounds such as you, then it’s time to root for the Socceroos.
Australia confronted a tough path to the World Cup, having to work by a playoff simply to make it to Qatar. But having certified for the World Cup, they superior out of group play due to a pair of 1-0 victories of their closing two matches in Group D.
Their reward? A date with Lionel Messi and Argentina, one of many favorites heading into the World Cup to win all of it. In that match they are going to be maybe the final word underdogs.
But if rooting for an underdog is one thing you like to do, then the Socceroos are your new crew. They enter the spherical of 16 because the lowest-ranked crew left in line with FIFA’s rankings.
There is one caveat to this, nevertheless. Argentina and Australia sq. off on Saturday, and by the point you might be studying this, Australia might have been eradicated. If you might be nonetheless in search of an underdog, then South Korea is the subsequent choice, given their very own FIFA rating.
A legend chasing the inconceivable dream: Lionel Messi and Argentina
Speaking of Argentina, if storylines are a driving drive behind your rooting pursuits, then throwing your help behind Lionel Messi’s quest for a World Cup ought to draw your consideration.
While Messi’s legacy within the sporting world is solidified no matter how Argentina fares within the World Cup, the residing legend is enjoying in his final World Cup, having but to hoist the trophy. He confirmed that again in October, and talked in regards to the “anxiety and nerves” of enjoying in his closing World Cup.
While Argentina bought out to a sluggish begin in group play, dropping to Saudi Arabia in beautiful trend, they nonetheless emerged because the winners of their group, due to a pair of 2-0 wins. The first got here in opposition to Mexico, and the second in opposition to Poland noticed Argentina win Group C.
Argentina has not gained a World Cup since 1986 — the yr that noticed Argentina rating on Maradona’s “Hand of God” purpose within the quarter-final in opposition to England — and a victory on this match would see Messi lastly maintain the World Cup aloft.
But he’s not the one residing legend chasing that inconceivable dream.
Another legend chasing a World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
Lionel Messi is just not the one residing legend nonetheless dreaming of a World Cup, as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo additionally has but to style that glory.
Ronaldo grew to become the primary participant to attain in 5 completely different World Cups, when he scored in Portugal’s 3-2 victory over Ghana to open their World Cup. The purpose additionally made him, at 37, the oldest participant to attain a purpose for Portugal in a World Cup.
However, this has been a fairly tumultuous yr for Ronaldo. He parted methods with Manchester United simply because the World Cup started, and there are studies that he has been provided a blockbuster contract to play for Al-Nassr within the Saudi Professional League.
What might carry that yr to a extra pleasant finish?
Winning his first World Cup.
If that feels like a very good storyline to you, then Portugal is your crew the remainder of the way in which.
The crew with the perfect nickname: Japan
Maybe you might be in search of a very good nickman to anchor your help over the subsequent few weeks.
Look no additional than Japan.
The Samurai Blue certified for the knockout spherical because the winners of Group E, due to their 2-1 victory over Spain of their closing match of group play. While there are different super nicknames within the sport — together with nicknames for groups nonetheless standing, such because the Socceroos, the Taegeuk Warriors, and the Three Lions — there’s something about Japan’s nickname that conjures up pictures of delight.
And talking of delight, you possibly can see what their qualification for the knockout spherical meant to their supporters:
Japanese followers weep as they witness their crew stun Spain and prime their group, eliminating Germany. Football is at its finest when it empowers followers to dwell out their wildest goals and make reminiscences they may carry without end. How are you able to not love this Sport? pic.twitter.com/PpQdCpEJXm
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) December 1, 2022
Awesome.
The defending champions: France
Not since 1962 as a nation gained back-to-back World Cups, when Brazil defeated Czechia to win their second-straight title.
France is hoping to match that feat.
In the historical past of the World Cup, solely two nations have tasted the glory of profitable back-to-back World Cups. Italy was the primary to perform that feat, profitable in 1934 and once more in 1938. Brazil matched that, with their victories in 1958 and 1962.
France, by profitable in Qatar, would turn into simply the third nation to ever win back-to-back World Cups.
If rooting for historical past is your factor, France could be your crew.
Or it won’t be.
The crew chasing historical past: Brazil
Brazil might turn into the primary nation to win six World Cups with a victory in Qatar.
They already paved the way with 5 World Cup victories, trailed by each Germany and Italy, however a victory on this yr’s World Cup would see Brazil put a ways between themselves and people two nations.
Hopefully these strategies have pointed you in the appropriate course.
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