The stakes are as high as they get at a World Cup, no matter the team or the baggage they carry, but the U.S. men’s national team face a unique litmus test as the biggest edition of the world’s most popular sporting event comes to their shores.Nearly a decade after a group of talented youth internationals received the keys to the program, the members of the USMNT’s so-called golden generation enter their peak years with the attention of their nation – and the world, for that matter – focused squarely on them. The journey has been rocky since the last World Cup in more ways than one. On an individual basis, these players have had to contend with the historic stigma that faces American players and the demands of becoming consistent professionals, the national team offering no reprieve. The road from the last World Cup to this one has been full of unpleasant results, forcing a coaching change less than two years before the World Cup, and one that was not exactly defined by a smooth transition.At just the right time, though, things feel like they might be clicking for the U.S. team. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, they have a clear style of play that is designed to take advantage of their in-form attackers, a group that ensures the burden will not fall solely on the shoulders of star Christian Pulisic. Forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are likely to play notable roles this summer, while outside backs Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson are expected to kickstart the whole operation.The big question, though, is if all this will hold for the duration of the tournament. The USMNT feel like a good vibes factory as they enter the World Cup, their 17-day pre-tournament camp going as well as possible. That said, there is an unpredictable quality about this group – and it is not always a favorable one. The U.S. team are targeting a statement-making run, 24 years after their last quarterfinal appearance at the tournament, and are technically capable of it. The mood has soured before with this group and it is hard to know how quickly things can turn in the wrong direction but one thing is clear – good or bad, the next few weeks will be a defining moment for the USMNT’s greatest generation.Here’s what you need to know as the World Cup finally gets underway.USMNT group stage scheduleAll times U.S./EasternJune 12, 9 p.m.: USMNT vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.June 19, 3 p.m.: USMNT vs. Australia at Lumen Field in SeattleJune 25, 10 p.m.: Turkiye vs. USMNT at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.What to expect from the USMNT at the World CupIt is entirely unclear exactly how good the USMNT will be over the next few weeks, but one thing is certain – they will not be boring.Slowly but surely, Pochettino has built a team that suits his well-documented stylistic preferences as a coach in an ambitious read of the player pool’s strengths. At their best, Pochettino’s U.S. team is a multifaceted attack-minded team – players in different CBS Sports Headlines