We're heading into the third and final match of the group stages, and both the U.S. and Mexican national teams still have the possibility to advance into the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It's Monday, November 28, and we have entered a crucial week for American and Mexican soccer and their World Cup aspirations.
Let's start off with the United States Men's National Team.
1. England (4 points)
2. Iran (3 points)
3. United States (2 points)
4. Wales (1 point)
Currently, the United States sit in third place in Group B of the tournament after drawing against Wales 1-1 in the first match and drawing 0-0 against England.
And although the U.S. is technically not in a qualifying spot, they will be facing Iran on Nov. 29, for an opportunity to punch their ticket into the Round of 16s.
How the U.S. could qualify
Iran is currently holding the second spot in the group with 3 points entering Tuesday's match against the U.S. A win for Iran would automatically qualify them for the next round of the tournament with 6 points.
If the United States defeats Iran tomorrow night at the Al Thumama Stadium, the U.S. would end up with a total of 5 points, which would surpass Iran, which would then remain with just three points. Wales, who currently sits in last place with just one point, has the most complicated path to qualifying for the knockout stages.
The Welsh National Team needs to not only defeat England, but Iran and the U.S. will need to draw or defeat the English national team by a four-goal margin. England has a 68 percent win probability entering their encounter with Wales tomorrow, according to data.
But back to the U.S. team.
With all things being said, regardless of what happens with Wales and England tomorrow, if the U.S. defeats Iran tomorrow, they are automatically qualified to play in the Round of 16s.
The United States has the second-youngest roster among all 32 participating national teams in this tournament, playing with an active roster that averages 25 years of age. Yet, the Americans are standing their ground on the world stage.
Despite their age, most of the Americans in the starting line-up are playing in important European leagues, which more often than not, play in favor of their national teams due to the high competition within the old continent.
And so far in this tournament, it was evident that this young core group is up for the biggest challenge of their careers by putting up a fight in this World Cup.
Last week, the English faced off against the U.S. in a highly anticipated match-up in Group B. The Americans put up a fight that rewarded them with a draw that places them just one victory away from qualification.
One of the millions of American soccer fans happy with their national team's performance is Alex Espinoza, a South Bay native, and a lifelong U.S. National Team supporter.
Espinoza said that there are evident flaws in the team such as producing constant scoring by their offense, but he is still delighted with the team's relentless character shown on the field despite being such a young team.
The 33-year-old local believes that if the USMNT continues to show character as they did against England, then the goals will eventually come if they go on to advance into the later stages of the World Cup.
"Considering how young this squad is, only having one player on the roster with World Cup experience, I can’t help but be proud and excited with this USMNT," said the Southbay local. "There are concerns with the goal scoring and that goes back to the roster selection, but if we continue to play as we did against England, the goals will come. Our midfield has been a bright spot throughout this tournament, and Tyler Adams is showing why he was selected to wear the captain's armband. Regardless of how far this team goes, it’s exciting to see the future of this young squad."
How Mexico could qualify?
The Mexican National Team still has the opportunity to advance into the knockout stages when they face Saudi Arabia this coming Wednesday at the Lusail Stadium.
El Tri is coming off a 2-0 loss against Argentina.
The Mexican National Team, led by Argentinian head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, had the opportunity to officially eliminate Leo Messi's Argentina from the World Cup with a victory Saturday night.
In the 64th minute of the match, Leo Messi launched a strike from outside the penalty box to score the first goal of the match. Mexico's conservative approach placed them in position of potentially miss out on advancing to the knockout stages, which is something that hasn't happened since the 1978 World Cup.
Group C
1. Poland (4 points)
2. Saudi Arabia (3 points)
3. Argentina (3 points)
4. Mexico (1 point)
El Tri is currently sitting in last place in Group C, and they not only have to win against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, but they also have to rely on Poland's result against Argentina.
If Argentina defeats Poland on Wednesday, Mexico is practically out of the World Cup.
This position Mexico finds itself in is disappointing to fans who grew up watching Mexican soccer. One of those fans is Carlos Gonzalez, also a South Bay native and a long-time supporter of the Mexican national team.
Gonzalez says that if there's anything we have learned so far in this World Cup, it's that the American soccer federation is on the right track compared to its neighbors to the south.
"In this particular World Cup, these 2 national teams have shown that the USMNT is on the rise while Mexico is on the struggle bus with head coach Tata Martino," Gonzalez says. "Mexico is playing very laid-back, in defense mode rather than attacking. Last game against Argentina they played with 5 defenders, I get it, you have to try and stop Messi, but how are you supposed to win if you don’t try to score?"
While the U.S. is continuously sending its young talent to Europe, El Tri still relies on older veteran players who are not only past their prime years but are now playing in North America instead of Europe.
The end of a generation is concluding for the Mexican side, as veteran players like Andres Guardado, Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Herrera, and others are partaking in their last World Cup. The era that Mexico fans and media long considered "The Golden Generation" is on the verge of failing to do what past generations have not done since 1986, and that's reaching the Quarterfinals of the World Cup.
And the Mexican National Team will take on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, November 30, at 11 a.m. PST.
Both games will be televised on Fox Sports.
