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

US men's soccer team in 2025 is an easy team to dislike, says Julian Zelizer .

Zelizer: Like the Soviet hockey team in 1980 , the US men’s soccer team is easy to dislike.

The US men had this in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups , a bunch of college kids and semi-pro players challenged the pros.

But now, with a “ Golden Generation ” of talent spread among elite clubs in Europe , they’ve traded the “underdog” label for underachiever”.

Milan and Juventus have been better fits for US players than Chelsea and Leeds .

The lack of an activist akin to Rapinoe or Julie Foudy hasn’t gone unnoticed.

US Soccer is only a generation and change removed from the days of their supporters being outnumbered at home matches.

And if the US men and their marketers want the country to rally behind them next year , they’ll need to do something to connect with their supporters.