The U.S. player pool can be split into distinct groups, and entering the second-to-last pre-World Cup gathering, the charge for all involved is crystal clear.
Carlo Ancelotti has now won titles in La Liga, the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A after guiding Madrid to a record 35th domestic league championship.
The players are coming off a season of both triumph and turmoil. No club better embodies that dichotomy entering a landmark campaign than defending champion Washington.