In their biggest test of the World Cup so far, the United States men's national team stood tall with a 0-0 draw against England. Despite Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie creating chances and hitting the post, the United States couldn't find a breakthrough for a winner.
This United States squad can hold its heads high before a chance to win and advance against Iran on Tuesday. Matt Turner, Tim Ream, and Tyler Adams shined to protect the defense. The team will need to improve on set plays as the final free kick where Christian Pulisic played it short to Gio Reyna but instead of playing it into the box, Reyna won a throw in while the whistle went summed up everyone not being on the same page.
Pulsic's deliveries were better but the runs into the box weren't there to meet them. Harry Kane couldn't create much only taking two shots for England. If Gareth Southgate opted to bring on Callum Wilson late, it may have been a different story but the result keeps the USMNT unbeaten against the Three Lions in World Cup play.
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Here are a few takeaways from the match:
Berhalter switched things up, rolling with a 4-4-2 that had Haji Wright and Tim Weah leading the line and that saw Josh Sargent benched for the only change from the lineup against Wales. But, with a massive chance, Wright failed to impress only taking 18 touches and two shots in 83 minutes of pay. Touches aren't everything but Wright wasn't scaring the English defenders and dragging them around in space in the way that Sargent did against Wales. Wright was supposed to be a bigger target for the team but that didn't end up being the case during the match.
It feels weird that Jesus Ferriera hasn't gotten a minute in the side after being a mainstay during World Cup qualifying but he and Sargent are able to bring much more off the ball that Wright just doesn't do. When Weston McKennie was subbed out, the attack lost a lot of their bite and that wouldn't have been the case if other players were dropping deep to make up for the runs that McKennie makes driving forward.
From Matt Turner's save on Mason Mount before halftime to Tyler Adams covering all the space, the United States had an excellent setup to ensure that England couldn't create many chances. Out of their eight shots, England only put three on target for an xG of 0.54 but the entire defense shined. Antonee Robinson won both of his attempted tackles, Turner had three saves and Ream won three of his aerial duels. They were mostly confident advancing the ball forward too, making sure that bad turnovers wouldn't lead to attacks from England.
You can argue that the team may have been too conservative early on but they did open things up in the second half going at England. If they didn't keep things tight early on, an early England goal could've seen things get out of hand.
Only Ghana has a younger average age than the United States' 25.2 years and the youth showed against Wales but wasn't a problem against England. The mistakes were small ones with bad crosses into the box but the critical plays in transition were hit perfectly. One perk of having a young team is that they're molded quickly under pressure and the performance against England was better than the one against Wales. Keeping things going, they'll be setup well to defeat Iran to make the last 16 at the World Cup. The team showed excellent game management skills, even though Berhalter still waited too long to make changes to the lineup. Reyna made a mistake when he received a free kick as the clock expired, not getting the ball into the box, but again, it's something that he will learn from to come back better against Iran.
| GROUP B | MP | W-D-L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 1-1-0 | +4 | 4 |
| Iran | 2 | 1-1-0 | -2 | 3 |
| United States | 2 | 0-2-0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wales | 2 | 0-1-1 | -2 | 1 |
The United States could've been better going forward but gotta hold your heads high after a performance like that. The defense was where the needed to be, Matt Turner made big saves and Tyler Adams was immense. England will have some questions to answer but the United States needs to improve on their set play delivery.
Musah commits an unnecessary foul but Harry Kane wastes his header on goal. Just enough for the United States to see off the attacking threat.
Gio Reyna and Josh Sargent are on the way into the match for Tim Weah and Haji Wright. Wright has been disappointing during the match but these changes show that the USMNT will keep their feet on the gas.
Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest both exit. Despite an excellent game from McKennie, both players have fitness questions and are on yellow cards. Marcus Rashford also enters for Bukayo Saka which gives England quite an attacking threat.
McKennie pokes the ball away from Kane and the United States pushes England back during what should've been a great chance to attack. Brenden Aaronson will enter the match eventually but there hasn't been a stoppage to get fresh legs on.
Jordan Henderson will enter to settle down the midfield that hasn't been particularly strong during the match. Jack Grealish will also come on as Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham exit the match. Will it be enough for England to create offense?
Suddenly the sterile possession of a few minutes ago looks like a distant dream as the US work the ball around, earning set pieces whenever they want. If it were not for Maguire's strength in the air Zimmerman would almost certainly have headed the US into the lead.
Meanwhile there is no sign of a change from Southgate, who has four Manchester City players and a Champions League winning captain among his options on the bench. This has been the consistent criticism of the England manager, that he lets games drift for too long. Something has to give.
Given that the US hasn't been effective from them, England will be okay with this but all it takes is for one to go on. The United States have taken a whopping seven corner kicks as they're asking all the questions so far in the match.
This match is there for the taking with the right changes, the USMNT can certainly pull out the victory. Reyna's directness could be key off the bench as the Untied States have had no issues creating chances.
Sterling saw space to take but he didn't account from Antonee Robinson lurking. Robinson knocks him off the ball and crisis is averted.
So far the United states are keeping the energy to start the half as England are chasing shadows.
For the end of things the United States played like the better team but they can't have a second half like the one against Wales. Berhalter needs to make the necessary tweaks to keep things fresh like withdrawing Haji Wright for Josh Sargent. Wright has only had 12 touches taking one shot as he hasn't been able to find the game. While he's isolated, he doesn't do enough without the ball to pull defenders in the way that Sargent excels.
This shows how back and forth the match has been as the World Cup has been sure to get 90 minutes of play in. Mount finally forces Turner into a save in what will almost be the last action of the half.
Where the US have really impressed off the ball, England seem a step late to their man every time. The front three in particular are all too easily bypassed, not entirely sure whether to get at these American full backs or place themselves in the right spot if possession is won back later in the move.
He dribbles and creates a corner. May not have been the best decision with Pulisic also streaking but Dest needs something to build his confidence. But on the corner, the USMNT left much to be desired as no one crashed the box when Pulisic had a good delivery into the box.
Creating chances, growing in confidence on the ball, and putting the pressure on England. Matt Turner even had a quick goal kick that almost found Pulisic over the top. The heat is certainly hitting them as McKennie had to dry his hands on a photographer's bib before a throw in but the USMNT has to keep this energy.
McKennie puts England through the spin cyle before finding Musah. After it's played to Pulisic, he rattles England's crossbar. The United States are growing in confidence as the match goes on.
Weah plays an excellent cross into the box but McKennie can't get a good shot off hiring it over the net. It's a positive sign for the US as they have been under pressure all match but you have to take your chances.
When the United States wins the ball, there isn't much of anywhere to go early as they just turn it right back over to England. England has already taken three shots as they're having no issues soaking up chances and this isn't a US team that has been great at soaking up pressure.
The change to Haji Wright makes more sense now that it becomes clear that the US will spend a lot of time, particularly without the ball, in a 4-4-2 that is designed to slow English progression into midfield. It starts well in the opening 10 minutes, where Maguire and Stones really can't do much more than work it from side to side. But Declan Rice is starting to make a more deliberate attempt to find pockets that offer his team mates that outlet and in truth England don't really look that threatened by this press. Eventually they work the ball up the field down the right, cut back for Kane to strike low at goal. You suspect it's goal bound but Zimmerman makes a good block.
Harry Kane took a shot but Zimmerman was there to block it. England's one touch passing saw them create a chance before you could blink as Bellingham continues to impress during this World Cup. After his penalty conceded against Wales, it's important for Zimmerman to get involved early.
Haji Wright and Tim Weah are leading the line while the United States looks to drop deep and stay organized in defense. Feels like Berhalter wants to bunker and hit England late but early on, England hasn't had any dangerous moments.
Ream is looking to carry the ball out of the back while the team wants to find Tim Weah on the break but it will take creativity to breach England's defense.
Can the United States do the improbable?
Outside of one member of the staff who has a draw, it's almost all England across the board
Toppling England will not be easy for the United States -- here are my three keys to victory. They'll need to be perfect and even that may not be enough to get a result. After scoring six goals on Iran, it will be impressive if the United States can keep the match close especially with Harry Kane fully fit and ready to go. The United States defeated England at the 1950 World Cup, so never say never.
From not being involved with the national team during World Cup qualifying to lighting up the Turkish Superlig, he now will lead the line against England in a massive moment. He does have a goal for the national team with a penalty against Morocco but he has only played 134 minutes for the national team. Offering size and speed in the box, will Wright show that Berhalter made the right decision?
