AL KHOR, Qatar — USA captain Tyler Adams enthusiastically urged his players to show the mental strength needed to create a historic victory in a all-or-nothing match with Iran On Tuesday, a clash will determine the team’s performance World Cup destiny.
After Friday’s impressive 0-0 draw with EnglandAdams and his associates knew they had to defeat Iran (Tuesday, 2pm ET on the FOX and FOX Sports apps) to qualify for the knockout round and failure to do so will result in disqualification.
He emphasizes that a determined mindset is the key to rising from Group B – which will be an important achievement for Gregg Berhalter’s youth team.
“We knew what we had to do in the last game and I think it’s important that you have that mentality,” Adams said. “We certainly can’t get ahead of ourselves and dig a hole. It won’t be an easy win; we have to compete.
“Now that we’ve come here and tested ourselves against quality opponents, it feels great, but we can’t be too satisfied with ourselves. We have to deal with the negatives before the final game. “
Should the USMNT be worried?
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse react to Iran’s win over Wales and what it means for the United States in the final game of the group stage.
With the Americans drawing both of their first two games, it was natural to draw comparisons to the 2010 campaign in South Africa. Back then, Landon Donovan scored the most famous goal in American football history with a late goal against Algeria, after two draws.
“It’s fun, but hopefully not as dramatic as [Donovan’s] goal,” Adams said of Tuesday’s game. “We don’t want to leave it until the end.”
The magic of the World Cup is that it creates big moments. And, of course, the biggest moments are the ones that stay deep in the mind, capturing fans and creating memories.
It’s the opportunity ahead for a team fully aware of the national support that is starting to grow behind it.
“I feel like today the whole world will see that the United States can do great things, but I guess time will tell, and you can’t just do it in one game – you have to do it. that’s consistent,” the midfielder said. Yunus Musah speak.
“I know that the audience back home supports us a lot. It’s great to inspire future generations. This World Cup will be there forever and future generations will watch this tournament and want to. be like us. I’m grateful where I am right now to do that.”
And so it all boils down to this. Entering the second half with virtually limitless permutations, with clarity and simplicity, without worrying about goal difference or fretting over other results.
“We’re not close to where we want to be, and we still have a lot of work to do in this league,” said forward. Christian Pulisicwho was honored as the Player of the Match against England.
Just win, baby. Just win – although no easy task against an Iranian team that was motivated and energetic to beat Wales 2-0 earlier in the day.
“It sets up our first knockout at the World Cup,” Berhalter said. “We win or get knocked out of the World Cup. We have to understand the intensity that Iran will bring. We will have to be ready if we want to have a chance of going forward.”
USMNT’s striker problem will have to pay a heavy price?
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse broke the USMNT’s restriction on the striker position.
The World Cup is all about pride and passion. Time and again over the years, teams with exceptional spirit and readiness have outperformed the odds.
Is this American side one of them? We will find out soon.
Despite that, they have earned the respect of one of the preeminent nations of world football. He ranked fifth, but was long overtaken by Berhalter’s army.
English midfielder Jordan Henderson talks about the effort Gareth Southgate’s team put into preparing for the match.
“We definitely approached the game as if they were a top team,” said Henderson. “I’m not sure who’s thinking that [they aren’t], but they have some really good players, they’re organized. We knew it was going to be difficult, and it certainly did.”
Game 3 awaits. History is there to take.
Read more from World Cup:
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and the author of the FOX Sports Insider newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and Sign up for the daily newsletter.
Get more from FIFA World Cup 2022 Follow your favorites to get game info, news and more
USA
