The United States and England played to a stalemate in their World Cup match on Friday, leaving both teams with work to do in order to advance.
There were no clear-cut chances in the game. Neither side was able to break the stalemate despite the best efforts of Christian Pulisic. The chances that were there in the first half were gone in the second.
All teams are still alive to advance to the knockout stages.
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The Americans performed well in a match that many expected them to lose. The defense was doing a good job. The game wasn't one-way traffic because the US had enough spells to keep the Three Lions at arm's length.
A lack of precision in front of goal, as well as some stellar defending, meant that the game ended goalless.
| GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 4 |
| 2 - Iran | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 3 - USA | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 - Wales | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| Top two countries qualify for round of 16 |
Iran's victory over Wales left the US in an odd position. Should the US push for the win or save themselves for the Iran game? Just one change to his starting lineup was made by Berhalter, with Haji Wright taking the top spot.
In the 10th minute, center back Walker Zimmerman blocked a Harry Kane shot. Thanks to some flank play from Sergino Dest, the USA started to carve out chances.
Weston McKennie had a great chance in the 26th minute when Timothy Weah found him in the box, but he missed the target. The US has come close before. In the 33rd minute, Pulisic hit the bar, and just before halftime, he tried to score from a Dest cross, but it was too little, too late.
The USA huffed and puffed in the second half, and while it forced a few corner kick opportunities, Jordan Pickford wasn't really tested. England began to have more possession but could not really threaten Turner on the other side of the field.
Thanks to a great defensive effort by the US, this was possible. It wasn't obvious that Walker was suffering from the effects of the Wales match when he was on the field. Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were great again.
At least so far, the World Cup for the US has been defined by the inability of the Americans to convert their chances. They will need to correct the trend in order to advance.
Expectations were raised when England demolished Iran in their opener. The US was organized and tenacious in defense, and England center-backs were passive in trying to find line breaking passes.
The Three Lions did threaten late in the first half when Mason Mount's shot forced a sharp save from Turner. The cushion the Three Lions created from the first match allowed them to invite the US to move forward and not take too many risks.
England's performance was a bit lackluster. Mount's attempt was the only thing keeping the attacking trident quiet. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice saw a lot of the ball, but they weren't effective in spurring the attack.
Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson were brought on by the manager to replace Sterling and Bellingham, but it didn't change anything. Kane had a chance to head Shaw's free kick in the last moments of the game, but he missed.
The match won't make it on England highlights. England top the group with four points and will face a Wales side that looked dead in the water in the last minutes of the Iran match. It would be expected.
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Phil Foden didn't play against the USMNT, so he has to start.
The USA might have gained some respect in this match, but it could also be seen as a missed opportunity for the squad, which now finds itself in a must-WIN game against Iran in order to progress to the knockout rounds.
It is coming down to the last game and the USA is in control of their own fate. There is a lot of wiggle room. The Americans didn't take advantage of the points they got in their first two World Cup matches. The pressure on them wouldn't be as intense if they'd done so.
It's similar to 2010, when the USA needed a win against Algeria in order to get it.
The USA are facing a different type of opponent in Iran. Motivation won't be an issue because of the political nature of the match. Iran will be riding a wave of confidence after scoring two late goals to beat Wales.
Is the USA able to complete the job? It is definitely possible. It is obvious that the talent is present. The sharpness in the attacking half has not been up to par. This team needs to raise that if they want to keep progressing.
Pickford, Shaw, Maguire, Stones, Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, sterling, Mount, and Kane are from England.
Grealish and Henderson were on the subs.
USA: Turner 7, Robinson, Ream, Zimmerman, Dest, Musah, Adams, McKennie and Wright.
Subs: Moore, Sargent, and Reyna.
Tyler Adams is the best.
Adams did a bit of everything, but at a high level, he broke up plays and connected his passes at a steady clip.
The Worst: England.
He looked like he was going to stay out of the game. Overall it was a subdued performance.
The best chance for the USA was Christian Pulisic's shot off the post.
WHAT A SHOT by Pulisic!!!
The USMNT was this close to taking the lead! pic.twitter.com/HTAs0gyshf
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