“They Don’t Have That Ability”: Megan Rapinoe Claims World Cup is “At Least” 15 Years Away for US Men’s Soccer Team

Megan Rapinoe is regarded as a legend of the game. The American soccer sensation won the Olympic gold medal with the USWNT at the 2012 London Olympics, while winning two back-to-back World Cups thereafter. With Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd, she brought the team unprecedented success.

However, with the golden generation of the USWNT now aging, the onus falls onto the men’s soccer team. But as for Rapinoe, she thinks it will take some more time for the USMNT to step up their game.

While they sit comfortably in the second position of the CONCACAF table, Rapinoe thinks the team is a long way from winning a World Cup.

Megan Rapinoe thinks USMNT will take some time

After her incredible success with the women’s team, Rapinoe sat down in an interview to discuss the possibilities of the men’s team in the World Cup. Boasting a squad with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Zack Steffen, and Sergiño Dest, the USMNT is stocked with many creative and talented players. Regardless, Rapinoe believes the team will need over a decade at least before they attain World Cup glory.

“Everybody can’t be special because they don’t have that ability. And it’s hard because you need to obviously build that and try and you need to struggle in order to level up, and I think that’s a little bit where they are.”

“But I think we’re all of our best players being one of the best players on their team away. I’m thinking another 15 years, at least. I need to see our young, young, young players being in Europe already. I think that’s the only way,” said Rapinoe.

Whether she is right or wrong is up for debate. Although recent years have shown an increase in talent, Rapinoe wants more impetus.

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Pulisic will be key

The first American to win the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic remains USMNT’s most prolific player. Famously known as ‘Captain America’, Pulisic drives the team forward with his experience and skill. While Giovanni Reyna and other players step up a notch, Pulisic remains key for the World Cup.

After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the USMNT would hope to make amends this time around. With what is regarded as their strongest lineup ever, how far do you think the USMNT will go in the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

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