It’s Friday, folks. That means tonight at 8.30pm (ET) the giants of the USMNT will be taking on the goliaths of Ecuador in a game that’s going to make them both seem… normal-sized?

What’s at stake? Nothing massive, just a bit of a test really. Both teams are already qualified for the WC.

“Already qualified? How the heck does that work?”

I thought you’d never ask. Let’s tap in and find out.

Last week, I explained Why This World Cup Will Be Unlike Any Other — 48 teams, 16 groups, matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

But how do all those teams actually get there?

Here’s how it works:

Each continent has their own mini-tournaments to decide who qualifies:

🇺🇸 U.S., Canada, and Mexico automatically qualify as hosts. Lucky us.

….and about 17 other international teams including Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Mohammad Salah’s Egypt, and Son Heung-min’s South Korea.

Everyone else is still battling it out to be one of the other 28 teams to take part next summer. Thirsty work.

Which country has played in the most World Cup finals without ever winning one?

Scroll to find out 👇 🍊

Two tune-ups on tap for the Men’s National Team coming up: firstly against Ecuador in Texas, then Australia in Colorado. Both solid tests before things heat up next year.

Both games are friendlies. That means no trophies and no qualifying points — just prep.

That said, they do matter a bit. Every US match until June 11th is about testing lineups, building chemistry, figuring out who actually belongs in the squad and who’s getting cut.

Who definitely ain’t getting cut though, is the Pulisic fella. The man is cooking up an absolute storm in Italy with his club side AC Milan, with goals and assists top of the menu. Let’s hope he serves up a side of shredded Ecuadorian defense tonight. Yum.

“Caps” – A “cap” is a game played for your national team. So if someone says Weston McKennie has 52 caps? That’s 52 games reppin’ the USA. No hats involved, sorry.

October 11, 2017. A day that U.S. soccer fans wish they could forget.

The USMNT lost 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It was the first time they missed the tournament in over 30 years. I’ve not touched a tiki cocktail since.

Hat tip to Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly for showing off her impressive keepie-uppie soccer skills in this viral clip that’s been viewed nearly 2 million times. The 68-year-old proving that age is just a number as she absolutely schools a couple of, well, schoolchildren. Next rounds on us, Catherine.

The Netherlands — They’ve reached three finals… and lost all of them. Pour one out for the Dutch. Heineken, preferably.

Thanks for stopping by The Tap-Inn.

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I’ll be behind the bar every week, Monday and Friday, serving up soccer. Sláinte.

— Joe