The 2018 FIFA World Cup is upon us. You're well aware by now that the United States did not qualify. Instead, Concacaf will be represented by three teams with MLS players on their squads — Mexico, who start play Sunday against defending champs Germany; Costa Rica, also getting started Sunday with the early match against Serbia; and Panama, who face Belgium on Monday to get their campaign rolling.
We asked Senior Editors Ben Couch, Senior Host and Producer Andrew Wiebe, former MLS player Bobby Warshaw, contributors Alicia Rodriguez and Phil West, and Senior Writer Matthew Doyle their thoughts on this question:
Are you rooting for Concacaf to do well in this World Cup?
COUCH: I’m in for Team Concacaf. We’ve got a heavy-hitter that’s never truly broken through (Mexico), a solid dark horse pick for upsets (Costa Rica) and a happy-to-be-there, win-anything-and-lose-your-damn-mind underdog (Panama). And those rosters are choc full of MLS talent, from Mexico’s LA(FC) star attackers to love-’em-when-they’re-on-your-squad vets like Kendall Waston and Blas Perez (honorary MLS this year) to up-and-comers like Michael Murillo. The World Cup is fun! Better to have some while it’s available, and Concacaf gives you options this year … just not Red, White & Blue ones. [Sad Trombone]
WIEBE: Want more respect for Concacaf on the world stage? Leave your pettiness for the Gold Cup or the next round of World Cup qualifying. It’s time to begrudgingly root for the teams in our region. It doesn’t make you less of a USMNT or CanMNT supporter. A rising tide raises all boats.
WARSHAW: I may cheer for Mexico as long as Rafa isn’t on the field.
RODRIGUEZ: I don't know if I'm overtly rooting for all of Concacaf, but I'm not rooting against them. So in that way, yes, I support the regional rivals in the World Cup, and hope they give the whole confederation an image boost on the sport's biggest stage.
WEST: Despite the bitter rivalry the USMNT have with Mexico, I want to see them progress as far as they can — until they run into France, that is, who are my go-to whenever the Yanks aren't involved. If Mexico do get to the Round of 16 match with Brazil, as many including myself are projecting, I think the entire complexion of the tournament pivots on whether El Tri can pull off the upset. I am not as conflicted rooting for Costa Rica or Panama, and will gladly do so, though I think they both have steeper climbs in their respective groups.
DOYLE: There is 0% chance I'd ever root for Mexico, and the only time I'd ever root for Costa Rica or Panama is if they're playing Mexico. I have never understood "root for your rivals" culture, and never will. I hope they all go 3-and-out. (I rooted for Panama in October 2013, and I wish Graham Zusi hadn't scored that goal.)
