Alex WindleyNovember 26, 2022
    AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: USMNT starting eleven during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USMNT at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images

    The United States men's national team played to a draw with England in their second game at the World Cup.

    The U.S. coach changed to a 4-4-2 formation in order to give his team more support on the wings and runners on the forward line.

    The U.S. was able to have more control of the ball thanks to this switch.

    They outshot England by a wide margin.

The game against Wales was not as good as this one.

Heading into the game against Iran, the U.S. will have gained confidence.

The USMNT drew with England.

    U.S. head coach Gregg BerhalterAdam Pretty - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    Berhalter usually lines up his team in a 4-3-3.

    The U.S. was able to set up defensively in a mid block and wait for the English to attack.

    This allowed them to go to the English back line.

    The attacking trio of Haji Wright, Timothy Weah and Christian Pulisic combined with the late runs into the box and crosses by Weston McKennie gave the U.S. directness.

    Sergio Dest was able to roam up and down the flank without being concerned about gaps behind him.

    Berhalter's tactics have been criticized a lot. He got them right against England.

    Yunus Musah (center)John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images

    The 4-4-2 wouldn't have worked if it weren't for the trio of Musah, Adams and McKennie.

    They worked well together to stop them from progressing.

    His impact was felt even though he was a right wing.

    JuveFC @juvefcdotcom

    McKennie vs England Total passes 31Accurate passes 28 Pass success 90% Key passes 1/1 Attempted tackles 2/2 Successful tackles 2/2 Tackle success 100% Clearances 1/1

    Shots 2/2 pic.twitter.com/vMPVRGhx4W

    The lively young man helped in attack and halted the progress of England's wide players in defense.

    Adams was his usual hard-tackling MzE. He finished the match with eight recoveries, two clearances, and four passes.

    Musah held his own as well. The 19-year-old linked the two.

    English defenders were not able to track him because of his movement.

    It's not likely that Berhalter will drop any of these players.

    The three Berhalter favors the most are McKennie, Musah and Adams.

USA vs. England: 5 Takeaways from USMNT's 2nd World Cup Game✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content
    The United States' Christian PulisicStu Forster/Getty Images

    The main attacker against England was Pulisic.

    If they want to make it to the knockout rounds, he will be the key.

    In the 4-4-2, the 24-year-old's ability to take the ball in the half spaces worked well.

    With Robinson running up the flanks, Pulisic was able to cut inside, dribble on his favored right foot and get a few shots off.

    He ended the match with four shots, seven passes and a chance.

    He picked up the Man of The Match Award.

    England forward Bukayo Saka and USA defender Antonee Robinson fight for the ball. PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

    The freedom to play in the half-spaces and cut inside was given to the two players by the overlap of the runs of Dest and Robinson.

    Robinson made EnglandTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkia He had seven recoveries, two intercepts and two passes into the final third.

    Dest was more reserved than the other. He'd venture forward, only to tuck inside to bolster his numbers in the middle of the field for the US.

    He was further up the field than England anticipated.

    He was able to get goal scoring opportunities. He was unable to take advantage of his chances.

    Tim Ream of United States defends Bukayo Saka of England.Elsa/Getty Images

    Walker was criticized for his performance against Wales, but he more than made up for it with his performance against England.

    He showed off his passing range by completing 88 percent of the passes he tried.

    Tim Ream continued to perform well.

    The 35-year-old man marked Harry Kane out of the game. The Englishman only had 39 touches.

    Both teams had a clean game.

    Berhalter will have all 26 players to choose from in the crucial game against Iran because of the team's mistake-free performance.