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Who in the USMNT 'has that dog in them'? xDAWG can...

ESPN · May 14, 2026, 12:20 PM

Key takeaways

  • Often used to describe a figure with relentless tenacity and grit, these 'dogs' are regularly the most scrappy and hungry players on the field.
  • When this summer's FIFA World Cup kicks off in June, millions of Americans will be asking themselves the same question: Which United States player truly has that dog in them?
  • Inspired by the internet's usage of "xDAWG," a tongue-in-cheek riff on the xG (expected goals) metric, ESPN has created a formula that highlights these possible game changers for the USMNT.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

Often used to describe a figure with relentless tenacity and grit, these 'dogs' are regularly the most scrappy and hungry players on the field. They can be chaotic as the unsung heroes who do plenty of the dirty work, but that work -- especially in soccer -- is invaluable in the buildup to goals and assists.

Every team needs at least one in their roster. When this summer's FIFA World Cup kicks off in June, millions of Americans will be asking themselves the same question: Which United States player truly has that dog in them?

Inspired by the internet's usage of "xDAWG," a tongue-in-cheek riff on the xG (expected goals) metric, ESPN has created a formula that highlights these possible game changers for the USMNT.

Article preview — originally published by ESPN. Full story at the source.
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