We are less than 24 hours away from the United States Men’s National Team’s first World Cup match since 2014. This game has been anticipated ever since the team’s loss against Trinidad and Tobago that knocked them out of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The long break between World Cup appearances has caused this trip to be even more special. Adding to that, the team that is being sent to Qatar is very promising. In past years, the American squad has been predominantly constructed of older players who have had an abundance of experience playing for the national team; however, this year, the team is filled with young players with only a few veterans on the team. This youthful squad plays with flare and will give the U.S. a good chance at going far into the tournament. But the question is just how far?

In its last World Cup, the U.S. made it out of the “group of death” but lost to Belgium in the round of 16. This result was a pleasant surprise to many American fans because the team lacked young players and their group was the toughest in the tournament. This year, both of those factors should not worry fans.

Players such as Weston McKinnie and Christian Pulisic bring that young flare to the squad that not many other U.S. teams have had. The energy the team has makes it a more exciting team to watch and cheer for. Past teams have also not had many players that play club soccer outside of the U.S., but this team has an abundance of them. Most of these players are better suited for the competition because they play against them all of the time. For example, Tim Ream, a center-back for the U.S., plays for Fulham in the Premier League and faces off against many of the players from other international teams such as Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Both Kane and Sterling are playing for England in this World Cup which makes it even more valuable that Americans are playing against them in club season.

During the 2014 World Cup, the U.S. was put into a group with Ghana, Portugal, and Germany. Somehow, the Americans placed second in the group and advanced to the knockout stages. The group in the 2014 tournament is nothing compared to the group that the Americans drew for the World Cup, so it should be smooth sailing into the knockouts for the U.S.

England, Wales, and Iran will be the three teams the U.S. will have to face in order to advance. Iran doesn’t have much talent and should be an easy three points for the Americans; however, the other two games could be a little closer, but I still have confidence that we will prevail. Wales’ only good player is Gareth Bale and he himself cannot beat the U.S. by himself. The only game that will pose a threat to the U.S. is the match against England. The English squad is very skilled but most of the players have been out of form recently. Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold are two that come to mind when talking about bad form. Other players from England are recovering from injury or are currently injured like Reese James. With all these factors, the American squad has a good chance against England.

Although the team may do well in the group stage, I do not believe that the U.S. can make it farther than the round of 16. Most predictions say that the U.S. will face off against Argentina in the first round of the knockout stages. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world, and I don’t think this team will lose a single game in the entire tournament. Even though they may breeze through its group games, I sadly admit that the U.S. will not make it past the round of 16.

However, I wish the U.S. team the best of luck and hope that it can prove me wrong by making it to the title game. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears open for updates on the U.S. team as they represent the stars and stripes on one of the world’s biggest stages.