At this point, a championship is all that matters. The USMNT has no other alternative. Why? They're in the best situation they could possibly be in: They're the underdog. There's no problem with any result. A win in the World Cup is only a bonus, whereas it's an expectation with Germany. They have everything to lose. So does Italy, Argentina and England. The US has nothing to lose. Being the underdog is the perfect position for America, and the current state of soccer in the country. The mental stress is down, as a result the team should play with confidence and rhythm. But, in the back of their minds, winning the whole thing should be a real ambition (as opposed to past efforts wherein the teams from 1990-2014, with coaches ranging from Sampson to Arena to Klinsmann, were told - by the entire world - to realistically accept their fate). In this way, the US should sneak past the expected winners while they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Let England, Italy and Germany have all the expectations, as the US rolls past with absolutely nothing to lose.
The qualification rounds might be difficult, they should be difficult, just as the European competition is not secure for any one team. Sure, the US is in CONCACAF, the forgotten division, but nothing's guaranteed. The long haul of qualifications should serve as the perfect warm-up round for the US to overcome the odds in the next World Cup. They've got to play like underdogs, but think championship. The odds are against them, but it's possible. Anything's possible.
The qualification rounds might be difficult, they should be difficult, just as the European competition is not secure for any one team. Sure, the US is in CONCACAF, the forgotten division, but nothing's guaranteed. The long haul of qualifications should serve as the perfect warm-up round for the US to overcome the odds in the next World Cup. They've got to play like underdogs, but think championship. The odds are against them, but it's possible. Anything's possible.
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