The return of the USMNT to the FIFA World Cup was kind of bittersweet, since the team did not lose their match against Wales but they failed to keep their advantage in the final minutes.

Leading by one goal, the USMNT surrendered control of the ball to Wales, who took advantage of this occasion by creating chances to score, and one of them ended up finding the back of the net after Gareth Bale transformed a penalty kick into a goal.

This goal continued a woeful record for the American side, which has seen them concede at least once against European opponents in FIFA World Cup games every time they have faced them. The last time in which the USMNT kept a clean sheet in a World Cup clash against a team from Europe came in 1950, when they defeated England.

Even with this result, there might still be cause for hope for Gregg Berhalter's crew. According to their latest results in World Cup opening games, the Yanks could still make it to the next round despite not winning their first match in the competition.

5 - The @USMNT has advanced to the knockout rounds in the previous five World Cups in which it avoided defeat in its first match. Enough? pic.twitter.com/ZQUOCOZICe

— OptaJack (@OptaJack) November 21, 2022

With that in mind, the Stars and Stripes have much to improve for their clash against England, a team that has shown their firepower with their convincing 6-2 win earlier today against Iran.