The US men’s national team aren’t just underachievers; they’re unlikeable | Beau Dure

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the USMNT lack the charisma, underdog charm and striking victories of their predecessors

Imagine the 1980 Miracle on Ice, but with the USA on the other side.

In this scenario, the US men's hockey team aren't a scrappy band of outmatched amateurs playing for the country perceived as the good guys in the cold war. The opponents aren't an aloof, brutally effective Soviet Union team expected to steamroll their way to a gold medal just as their military were attempting to steamroll their way through Afghanistan.