OLY: World Cup Qualifying

Team USA is currently tied for first place at 5-1 in their World Cup qualifying schedule. The tournament is just over a year away, and there are only six games remaining. The United States must finish in the top three of Group E in order to participate in the 2019 World Cup. They are tied with Argentina atop the group right now. The U.S. have victories over Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and others. Their only loss is a 78-70 slip up versus rival Mexico. Markel Brown is averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Xavier Silas and Rodney Purvis have been impressive as well. They're combining for 24.0 points. Purvis, who was just traded to the Boston Celtics, is shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

It's been a pretty good run so far for Team USA, but they're going to need other guys to step up in order to finish in the top three. Elijah Millsap is someone who comes to mind. He has a ton of talent, but has struggled in just two appearances for the United States. He's averaging only 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds on 28.6 percent shooting from the field. The team is putting up 84.3 points per night, while giving up just 66.0 points. That's a solid average point differential, and they should be able to continue doing the same. The USA's next opponent is Uruguay on September 14th. They'll play three days later against Panama with a possible shot at their seventh victory. The U.S. will then have more than two months off before their next game.

They'll face Argentina and Uruguay on November 29th and December 2nd, respectively. To end the qualifying stages, the United States plays Panama and Argentina, again, in late February. Standing at 5-1, they're in a good place to qualify for the World Cup, but it isn't a sure thing yet. They'll likely need to win at least eight games to have a chance. The 12-man roster for the World Cup and Olympics will be created from a 35-man minicamp list that consists of the best NBA players including DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, and more. The minicamp will take place in Las Vegas on July 25th. The World Cup is set for August 31st of next year. And then the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be the following summer.

Photo Credit: 2 Ways.