local
Same old story: US men’s soccer team has been stagnant for 25 years
By Associated Press at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· July 7, 2026
· 4 min read
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE For all the growth in American soccer over the past quarter-century, the U.S. men’s national team remains stagnant.
Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jo...
Key takeaway Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore did in 2010 and 2014.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The stagnant performance of the US men's soccer team has significant implications for the Midland-Odessa area, where soccer is a rapidly growing sport. As the team struggles to compete with the world's elite, local soccer enthusiasts and young players may be left without a strong role model to inspire them. The Permian Basin is home to a thriving soccer community, with numerous youth leagues and clubs, and a successful national team could help to further boost participation and interest in the sport. With players like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman emerging as potential stars, there is still hope for the future of US soccer, and local fans will be watching closely to see if they can help turn the team's fortunes around. As the team looks to rebuild and regroup, the Midland-Odessa area will be eager to see if they can make a stronger showing in upcoming international competitions.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE For all the growth in American soccer over the past quarter-century, the U.S. men’s national team remains stagnant.
Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jo...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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