All The New York Odds And Ends You Need To Enjoy The 2022 World Cup

A new era of United States Men’s National Team has dawned. A new star, Christian Pulisic, helms the USMNT squad.

And now, the Americans look to make some noise at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Granted, USMNT has not performed particularly well at the World Cup, relative to the rest of the world. But they have advanced to the Round of 16 four times in its last six appearances, including a quarterfinal trip in 2002. Even so, online sportsbooks in New York do not expect the United States to go far.

With the second-youngest USMNT roster in World Cup history, the squad looks to make up for lost time after failing to qualify four years ago.

And there are some key pieces who have strong ties to the Empire State.

USMNT features New York flare for 2022 World Cup

Of the 26 players on the USMNT roster, more than a quarter of them have direct ties to the Empire State. That includes four player who were born in New York, tied for the most from any state on the roster alongside California.

Another two have looser relations to New York, and the star — Captain America himself — well, admittedly, we’re forcing it.

GK Sean Johnson, New York City FC

Many will remember Sean Johnson as a hero for New York City FC in 2021. While an injury-time goal did get past the keeper to force extra time, Johnson kept a clean sheet during the final 30 minutes. Then, he made two monstrous saves in penalty kicks to lift NYCFC to its first MLS Cup. In 192 MLS starts for the club, Johnson, a likely backup for USMNT, has posted 59 clean sheets, allowing just over a goal per game.

D Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls

Potentially a starter on the back line, Aaron Long comes to USMNT with over six years of experience with the New York Red Bulls. He comes off a career year with the MLS squad, scoring four goals in 29 appearances and earning a spot on the MLS All-Star Team. He was also named the MLS Defender of the Year in 2018 after helping the Red Bulls to the league’s best regular-season record.

D Joe Scally, Gladbach (Germany)

Born in Lake Grove, Joe Scally earned a spot as one of three teenagers on the USMNT roster (we’ll get to the other two in a minute), the most on a US World Cup team ever. Scally played for NYCFC from 2018 to 2020, making seven appearances during that time.

M Tyler Adams, Leeds United (England)

A member of the Red Bulls II USL squad in 2015 and 2016, and a prominent player for the MLS Red Bulls from 2016 to 2018, Wappinger-born Tyler Adams serves as the captain of the USMNT midfield. He will be at the head of the offensive attack for the US, the point guard of sorts in the middle of the field.

M Yunus Musah, Valencia (Spain)

Like Scally, Yunus Musah comes onto the USMNT roster as a 19-year-old, along with the guy below. Born in New York City, Musah has made 82 appearances for Valancia in La Liga, scoring five goals along the way. Certainly fans will see Musah, the first Spanish Primera player to dress down for USMNT.

F Gio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

The oldest of the three young guns (he turned 20 just a few days ago), Gio Reyna was born in England but moved to Bedford at 5 years old. A scorer of 12 goals in Bundesliga over the past four seasons, Reyna played with the NYCFC academy for four years. Fun fact: His father, Claudio, played for the Red Bulls in 2007-08 and was also a member of USMNT.

F Timothy Weah, LOSC Lille (France)

Timothy Weah has scored six goals in 66 matches with Lille, all since suffering two hamstring injuries in 2019-20. Born in Brooklyn, Weah came up in the Red Bulls academy nearly 10 years ago and is the cousin of current Red Bulls right-back Kyle Duncan.

D Tim Ream (Fulham), F Haji Wright (Antalyaspor), F Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)

While not from or currently playing for any team in New York, Tim Ream and Haji Wright do have some connections to the Empire State.

Ream, a defenseman, spent 2010-11 on the Red Bulls, for example, scoring 1 goal in 65 appearances and helping the Red Bulls claim the Eastern Conference title. He was named New York’s Defender of the Year and was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year.

As for Wright, he made just four appearances while playing for the New York Cosmos in 2015 and then moved on to Bundesliga in Germany.

Here is where the ties become a bit more unraveled. Originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania, Christian Pulisic went straight overseas to begin his professional career as a 16-year-old, where he has remained for the past seven years. But, the man known as “Captain America” does have some connection to New York.

A fan of the New York Jets and New York Rangers, Pulisic is the son of Mark Pulisic, who was born in Long Island. After an eight-year professional career with the indoor soccer team Harrisburg Heat, Pulisic went into coaching and eventually returned to New York as an assistant with the Rochester Rhinos of United Soccer League in 2017.

Where to go, how to watch USMNT at 2022 World Cup

The United States Men’s National Team kicks off the 2022 World Cup on November 21 as they look to finish atop Group B and gain favorable position in the Round of 16.

If all goes well, USMNT could be playing for its first title in the World Cup Final on December 18.

The World Cup will air on FOX and FS1 as well as on Telemundo. In addition, fans can stream World Cup action on Peacock, Fubo, SlingTV and Vidgo.

But, for those who want to get out of the house and watch the action with other fans, various locations across New York are prime for attendance.

Legends: 6 West 33rd Street

There will be no shortage of World Cup action going on at Legends, with over 20 big-screen TVs scattered throughout the two-floor facility. If that weren’t enough to convince you of this being a go-to spot, perhaps this will: Legends is home to the largest soccer memorabilia collection in the US. Enjoy that and the World Cup while poring over the wide variety of food and beverage.

Ryan’s Daughter: 350 East 85th Street

For over 40 years, Ryan’s Daughter has been a popular destination, offering authentic Irish food and drink. It is also a partner of New York City FC and features a menu of traditional pub fare, assuming the complimentary chips don’t fill you up.

The Red Lion: 151 Bleecker Street

No one goes to the Village without stopping at The Red Lion. And it should be highly considered for your World Cup enjoyment. Each match will stream via three projectors and big-screen TVs, complemented by full sound from the action. The Red Lion will also change out flags outside to alert customers which teams are playing. An added perk, customers can win prizes ranging from gift cards to official jerseys, box tickets at sporting events and $1,000 cash.

Midnight Theatre: 75 Manhattan West Plaza

The World Cup meets cinematic theater at the Midnight Theatre, which will braodcast games on its expansive 4K resolution screen. The Hidden Leaf also has Pan-Asian cuisine for customers as well as a vast beverage menu. Passes cost $55 each and includes open seating and a complimentary breakfast bar.

TailGate Brooklyn: 86 North 11th Street

There will be no shortage of space at TailGate Brooklyn, featuring 24,000 square feet of space as well as over 20 TVs to show every World Cup match. If you prefer not to enjoy the ample open seating, or if for some reason you can’t find a spot, attendees can also find private headed cabanas at TailGate.

NY sports betting features World Cup

The United States Men’s National Team makes its eighth World Cup appearance in the past nine tournaments after missing each of the previous nine. During that time, USMNT has advanced to the Round 16 on three occasions, including a trip to the quarterfinals in 2002. But USMNT has never even sniffed a Final appearance. The closest came in 1930, when the US was eliminated in the semifinals, when the knockout stage consisted of just four teams.

Sportsbooks in New York don’t project the United States to go far in 2022 — let alone win its own group, especially with England in the fold.

For context, NY sports betting lists the odds at a USMNT World Cup win anywhere from +10,000 to +15,000.

AGA expects heavy dose of World Cup betting

According to the American Gaming Association, some 20.5 million American adults intend to bet on the World Cup. Handle could reach $1.8 billion according to the AGA survey.

Most of the respondents (72%) indicated they would wager through online sportsbooks, at brick-and-mortar facilities or with a bookie. And the survey showed that 78% of bettors believe in the importance of legally betting on the World Cup.

The legal sports betting world has boomed since the last World Cup in 2018, especially online. Nearly two dozen states in the country have authorized mobile wagering, including the nation’s leader: New York sports betting.

“As the first World Cup with widespread availability of legal sports betting, this will certainly be the most bet-upon soccer event ever in the U.S.,” AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark said in a statement. “With more than half of all American adults having access to legal betting options in their home market, legal sports betting will deepen American fan engagement in the most-watched sporting event in the world.”