Group D preview: What defines success for the USMNT?
Apple TV MLS analyst Taylor Twellman breaks down the USMNT's path through Group D at the FIFA World Cup and what success should realistically look like on home soil.
Group D preview: What defines success for the USMNT? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Video Transcript
Quarterfinal determines whether or not the United States had a successful World Cup.
I don't think it's an easy group.
I think when it first came out, we didn't know that Turkey would be the playoff team.
Now that Turkey's a playoff team, I think it becomes a little bit more difficult.
But I would still say they should win the group.
Their goal, if they win the group, they play a third place team in the first knockout round stage.
They don't play England, France, Argentina, or Spain until the quarterfinal.
That gives them the best shot of making a run in the tournament.
They've got to put a real emphasis on winning their group and being there.
And if they do, great, but I, I think this connotation of this is a easy group, I like the word favorable a little bit better, 'cause I think it underestimates Turkey a- and Paraguay.
The first game, if you win the first game of the World Cup, especially in a 48 team, you're The odds are, I, if I'm not mistaken, 80% chance that you get out of the group.
So Paraguay's the most important game, but I think the most influential game will be the game against Turkey, because that will be ultimately the decider if you win the group or not.
Quarterfinal determines whether or not the United States had a successful World Cup, and I know that's potentially a little harsh depl- depending on how the knockout stage plays out.
But listen, you're a host.
This is your golden generation of players.
That generation of players that are playing at high levels throughout Europe, they're just entering the prime of their careers.
48 teams, eight third place teams, quarterfinals or bust for me.
