Only old men yelling at dark clouds of cynicism have failed to see the light: Soccer has made it big in America.

But the quality of soccer made in America by dudes wearing red, white and blue?

Well, that’s a whole ‘nuther story.

In ’Murica, we’re good at road-tripping at Buc-ee’s.

Making deep World Cup runs? Not so much. 

Soccer carrying the “Made in the USA” label is still no more reliable than a rusty Jeep with a clunky transmission.

Try as it might, the USMNT has been unable to kick its game into high gear.

Yes, Colorado natives Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson have minted 24-karat gold success for U.S. women’s soccer. 

But our men?

Meh. At best.

While Christian Pulisic and his teammates will give it a good old-fashioned  American try, it’s unlikely a World Cup staged in our backyard will do anything to change the world futbol order.

Since taking over as USMNT head coach in September 2024, Mauricio Pochettino has emphasized establishment of the squad’s championship mindset, while he has struggled to determine his best starting XI and his tactical set-up has been a frustrating work in progress.

“For me, it’s about winning. I think if you don’t win, what does it matter?” Pochettino has relentlessly trumpeted to American players. “If you are second, nobody ever remembers. And I believe you should aspire to win it.”

Love the big, bold ambition. But a reliable defender who wouldn’t leave U.S. keeper Matt Freese out to dry would be better.

Barring the biggest miracle in the history of a competition that began way back in 1930, Team USA won’t win this World Cup. Or even come close. And that’s unfortunate, if only because it will give the fuddy-duddies who view soccer as a threat to the American way of life a reason to be smug.

A true futbol blueblood like Spain, France or Brazil will hoist the championship trophy. In fact, reaching the quarterfinals would be a stunning achievement for this American squad.

Maybe Colombia or Senegal can make a magical tourney run that captures the imagination of the world. But if you’re looking for a Cinderella story, it probably won’t be written in red, white and blue.   

The real victory of this World Cup is how far soccer has grown in the American sports consciousness. It’s not a niche sport anymore. Far from it.

Touchdowns and blitzes remain the unchallenged pillars of U.S. sports fanaticism. But with all due respect to the passion that Coloradans exhibit for the Avalanche, hockey is not one of the big four pro sports in these United States. From California to Florida, soccer has lapped hockey in popularity.

In a survey recently released by the research folks at Nielsen, U.S. fans were asked to identify their interest level in specific sports.

The responses were what you’d expect at the top of the poll, with football at 59%. Basketball ranked second (48%), and baseball was third (45%). But soccer not only has captured the interest of 31% of the American population, its popularity is particularly strong among key demographic groups of Millennials and Gen Z.

Soccer is no longer the next big thing in the USA. It has been fully woven into the country’s sports fabric.

“We built a soccer nation together,” longtime MLS commissioner Don Garber told me in April, when the Broncos’ stadium rocked to the rim as Lionel Messi played the first game of his brilliant career in Colorado.

In 2026, the World Cup coming to our shores isn’t a colonization mission by the international futbol community. It’s a celebration of a fanbase 62.5 million strong that has a growing passion for the sport.

“We’ve earned the right to host this World Cup,” Garber said. “We hosted the World Cup back in 1994, because FIFA was trying to create a scenario in the United States where soccer could capture the opportunity to build a new market. Well, a little more than 30 years later, that market isn’t just built. It’s robust. It’s the most valuable soccer market in the entire world.”

In a star-driven society, the American soccer public has been conditioned to stand up and cheer the excellence of Harry Kane of England and Kylian Mbappe of France.

While there will be moments of brilliance by midfielder Tyler Adams or striker Folarin Balogun that will bring fans out of their seats, the USMNT has yet to develop the U.S. soccer equivalent of LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes.

Could an American legend be born at this World Cup?

Probably not.

But during the course of 104 matches of this World Cup, somewhere in the USA, the seeds will be planted. 

And if one young American boy is inspired to grow up and be the GOAT, it will be the forever legacy of this tournament.