It had been 3,065 days since the U.S. men’s national team participated in a World Cup. That drought ended when the team took the field in Qatar on Nov. 21.
It marked the USMNT’s World Cup return after an eight-year drought, as it faced Wales in their first match of Group B’s round-robin. The squad did not disappoint, scoring the first goal of the game.
The most dramatic goal of the tournament for the U.S. was scored by Christian Pulisic, who netted the go-ahead goal in a must-win game while suffering an injury on the play. That helped send the U.S. to the knockout stage, where they scored another goal against the Netherlands in the round of 16 but were unable to advance.
Here’s every goal scored by the USMNT during the 2022 FIFA World Cup:
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1. Timothy Weah, U.S.-Wales on Monday, Nov. 21
The United States’ eight-year World Cup drought came to a close on Monday during their first round-robin match against fellow Group B opponents Wales. Despite several cards in the beginning of play, it’s safe to say, the red, white and blue entered the match with undeniable focus.
In the 35th minute, Timothy Weah scored the first goal for the United States in eight years. Christian Pulisic assisted the winger for a clean shot past Welsh goalie Wayne Hennessey.
This is the first World Cup assist for Pulisic who is making his tournament debut.
2. Christian Pulisic, U.S.-Iran on Tuesday, Nov. 29
Captain America got his first ever World Cup goal in a do-or-die match.
With the USMNT needing a win to keep its tournament hopes alive, Pulisic opened the scoring in the final Group C match against Iran with a goal in the 38th minute. Weston McKennie sent a ball into the box for Sergiño Dest, who then headed it towards net. Pulisic sprinted in and got the goal while colliding with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Pulisic was down in the net for several minutes before getting treatment from team doctors out of play. Instead of exiting the match, Pulisic returned to the field.
3. Haji Wright, U.S.-Netherlands on Saturday, Dec. 3
With the United States trailing by two goals in the round of 16 against the Netherlands, the team was desperate for a goal to keep hope alive.
That hope came in the 76th minute from Haji Wright, who had subbed in just nine minutes prior. Wright got a foot on a cross from Christian Pulisic to pop the ball over goalkeeper Andries Noppert and into the net, bringing the USMNT within one goal with 14 minutes remaining before stoppage time.
But the Netherlands quickly responded as Denzel Dumfries was left unmarked and scored in the 81st minute to seal a 3-1 victory that eliminated the United States.
