In Oct. 2017, the United States Men’s Soccer Team (USMNT) failed to qualify for the 2018 edition of international football’s most prestigious event: the FIFA World Cup. 

Pain.  

It was the first time they’d missed out on the tournament since 1986, and, without a doubt, the most humiliating moment in the team’s history- shedding a glaring light on issues within its system not only in terms of talent and personnel, but, more broadly, and more seriously, from an organizational and managerial perspective as well.  

Then-head-coach Bruce Arena resigned immediately thereafter, and what he left in his wake was a team without direction and an organization on the brink of implosion.  

Now, let’s fast-forward nearly five years. With the team coached by USMNT-alum Gregg Berhalter, a new era has begun-an era that many are deeming to be a so-called ‘golden generation’ of American men’s talent.  

At the forefront of this new wave is poster-boy forward Christian Pulisic, who happens to be one of the only faces still remaining from the 2017 squad, and who has since made a high-profile move to Premier League juggernauts Chelsea. While his time in London has been marred by injuries and inconsistent form, it’s also brought great success in the way of a Champions League title, making him the first American to win club football’s most revered trophy.  

Right there beside him, midfield maestro Weston Mckennie (who, like Pulisic, is just 23) made an equally intriguing move to Italian-powerhouse Juventus FC in 2020. Beyond that, the cast of emerging USMNT talent includes RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams (23), Borussia Dortmund attacking-midfielder Gio Reyna (19), and Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest (21), among a growing contingent of other Americans making names for themselves at reputable European clubs.  

At the end of next month, the USMNT are slated to play three matches to conclude a 14-match, months-long bid to qualify for the next World Cup-the 2022 edition, which will be held in the Arab-nation of Qatar in Nov. and Dec. of this year. And while the growing excitement around the USMNT was validated by a historic 2021 — a year that saw them win two major trophies and beat bitter rivals Mexico on three separate occasions — qualification is not yet certain. Should the USMNT triumph in March and punch their ticket to Qatar, they might finally erase the pain of 2017’s failure, while also opening a door to endless new possibilities.