DOHA, Qatar — The difference between a candidate and an impostor at the World Cup is simple.
The best teams get the results they need when they need them. Others are not.
So while United States men’s national team may not be among the favorites at Qatar 2022despite being defeated Iran above Christian Pulisic first-half goals and progress to the knockout stages, the ability to block out the pressure and noise and get the win needed on Tuesday suggest there is something special about this USMNT.
“You have to enjoy that adversity, you have to enjoy the pressure when a team throws everything at you,” midfielder Tim Ram said after he and his teammates scored Pulisic’s goal by hitting back after Iran’s attack over 54 minutes into the second half, including nine minutes of injury time. “If you’re not interested, and you start panicking, then bad things will happen. I look around and see 11 boys who are calm on the pitch, doing everything they can, trying their best to ensure results. stability. .
“And what a fantastic result.”
How far can USMNT go?
Maurice Edu, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Stu Holden react to the United States’ 1-0 win over Iran and discuss how far the USMNT can go at the World Cup.
No racing. Tuesday’s win not only sets up a decisive round of 16 game with Netherlands on Saturday (10 a.m. ET, FOX and the FOX Sports app), it marked the first time since the opening of the World Cup in 1930 that the United States had kept consecutive clean sheets in the global arena.
“Finishing the game is really what I’m most proud of, because it’s a sign of determination and extreme effort as well as the resilience to try to win and not give up,” the coach said. US team Gregg Berhalter said.
After missing the last World Cup, this rebuilt USMNT’s first goal is to return to the biggest sporting event. Once qualified, the minimum is to pass the group stage. But after blowing a late lead to Wales in the opening match and decided to draw, the team was under considerable pressure, even after holding a draw England for a goalless draw in the second game.
The US was in a difficult situation when it had to beat a good Iranian team in the final match of the group stage. Suddenly, a match that was already tense because of hostile political relations between the two countries turned into a must-win.
Inferior teams will fall under that scrutiny. Instead, the fighting spirit of this historic blue team – the United States fielded three of the youngest squads at this World Cup, with the third team being No. 1 – was on display for all to see. .
“We are brothers, and we like pressure”
Weston McKennie talks about how the US held off Iran to reach the knockout round.
“You have players who support each other in difficult times, and we did that throughout the game,” said the goalkeeper. Matt Turner speak.
They also show quality. As much as the final passes and shots were missing for the Americans throughout the first round, Tuesday’s winner from Pulisic belongs to a museum. And that’s not a fluke.
“We knew they were going to struggle with diagonal balls behind the defence, and that’s what we studied,” the midfielder said. Weston McKennie, who started the game that led to the goal with exactly that kind of pass. “We do it to plan.”
They also show courage. Knowing that he will be caught by the Iranian goalkeeper Alireza BeiranvandPulisic is still in the right place after ‘s tectonic line Sergiño Dest.
“He would do anything for his team for us to win,” captain USA Tyler Adams talk about Pulisic.
Overall, it was a mature performance from a team that was growing up in front of the eyes of the world. That burgeoning identity “started to take shape on top of these performances,” says Berhalter. “You see how resilient this team is, you see how united this team is, you see the kind of energy they put into every game.
“And then there were some pretty good football games. And so I think that’s the American spirit in the way this group plays. And I think people will appreciate that, especially in the countryside. home.”
Does Gregg Berhalter deserve more respect?
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse discuss whether Gregg Berhalter deserves more respect for his results with the USMNT.
After setting an unbeaten record in the first round by winning as they leaned their backs against the wall, fans new and old back home have an angle to look forward to this weekend. The Netherlands has been a three-time finalist and favorite of the World Cup, but this USMNT won’t go down without a fight.
“We could be the underdog – the Dutch are a world power, and they have been in so many tournaments,” the winger Brenden Aaronson speak. “I think for us, just go in there without fear and play the way we’ve shown throughout this tournament.”
If they do, there’s no reason why Americans can’t get the results they’re after again.
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