If it were up to the U.S. men’s national team, it likely wouldn’t be continuing its World Cup preparations against FIFA’s 170th-ranked side. But that’s the hand it was dealt as it began its Concacaf Nations League title defense on Friday at Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium. And it took full advantage of the opportunity.
The U.S. beat Grenada, 5–0, in its last match on American soil before the World Cup begins in November, with roster hopeful Jesús Ferreira scoring four of the five goals to put the Americans on course for three points. The top team in each of the four groups in Concacaf League A will reach the final four next year. It was that Nations League final four platform that helped serve as a springboard for this young U.S. group, with dramatic wins over Honduras and Mexico setting the foundation for the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying success that would follow.
The U.S. entered on the heels of a win over Morocco and draw vs. Uruguay in a pair of friendlies against World Cup-bound teams, and after Friday’s rout of the Spice Boys and Tuesday night’s match in El Salvador, there will be just a pair of September friendlies in Europe against Asian competition standing between the U.S. and its World Cup group games.
