USA Qualifies, Draws Jolly 'ole England

The US Men's National Team tried, but only lost 2-0 Costa Rica, where only a 6-goal loss would have pushed to 4th place in the CONCACAF Octagonal, and into a playoff with New Zealand.  The USA (#15 in the world) is back in the World Cup and today, knew most of their fate.  They were drawn into England's (#5) Group B along with one of Asia's top teams, IR Iran (#21), and the European playoff winner (either Wales (#18), Scotland (#39), or Ukraine (#27)).

USA were able to get into Pot 2 (next 8 best teams, Pot 1 was host Qatar (#51) and the top 7 teams) and therefore avoid two major powers (such as Group C with Argentina (#4) & Mexico (#9) and Group E with Spain (#7) & Germany (#12)).  Last time ('14... sigh, the '18 debacle still hurts), they were in Pot 3 and drew Germany & Portugal (but still escaped to the Round of 16).  Canada (#38), despite winning the octagonal, was in Pot 3 and will have to face Belgium (#2) & Croatia (#16).  

So the USA has a good chance to get out of Group B (not the easiest, not the hardest) and will need to prove themselves again.  USA has made the Round of 16 the past two times (sigh, no '18).

More importantly, the 7th HWCI World Cup pool begins in November!  Get your ten bucks ready!