Category: Gareth Bale – English

World Cup 2022: USMNT: Why draw vs. Wales could be the beginning of the end in Qatar 2022?


The USMNT and Wales played to a 1-1 draw that leaves the future of both teams in Qatar 2022 uncertain for their other two World Cup group games, however, all indications are that the easiest path to that goal is in favor of Gareth Bale and company, essentially due to the order of each team’s next two games.

Families of all 26 USMNT players send a heartfelt ‘good luck’ from homeUSMNT

In the next matchday of Group B of Qatar 2022, the United States will have what is expected to be their toughest challenge as they will have to face England, while Wales will have the obligation to beat Iran, which, based on what was seen on Monday, seems to be the weakest team in the section.

What’s next for the USMNT and Wales?

It is worth remembering that England defeated Iran 6-2 and that if they beat Team USA they will mathematically assure their pass to the round of 16, so they will surely go out with their luxury team to try to beat a team that, incredibly, they have not been able to beat twice in World Cups.

Psychic camel predicts England will beat Iran in their first World Cup match

That is why, if the logical results of the aforementioned games to be held on Friday are given, England would defeat the United States, Wales would beat Iran and then the situation for the final games would be a terrible scenario for Gregg Berhalter and company.

Wales have everything to reach the Round of 16

In the last series of matches, to be held on Tuesday, Wales would face England, who could keep some of their best players because they are already qualified and if they get a draw, even if the United States wins by many goals against Iran, they would be eliminated.

That is why not losing against England becomes vital for the United States, the mission seems very difficult, a draw against Wales could end up being fatal for the team coached by Gregg Berhalter.



World Cup 2022: Gregg Berhalter’s frustration after USMNT’s painful draw vs. Wales left him with little explanation


The U.S. National Team disappointed with a 1-1 draw against Wales, not because they had a point in their World Cup debut, but because they had the victory assured, and just minutes before the final whistle, they were tied by Gareth Bale from the 11 penalty kicks. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter spoke to the media about the draw.

Berhalter admitted faults in their set piece defense

U.S. manager Berhalter, on facing England: “This is an opportunity to show what we are made of”

“We gave it our all,” Berhalter said, insisting the U.S. had everything to beat Wales, but admits his team struggled when Gareth Bale‘s men were more direct in the second half.

The U.S. national team coach praised his team after the 1-1 draw against Wales in the team’s first World Cup match.

“It was a hard-fought game. We left everything out there,” Berhalter said after the match. The U.S. took an early lead after Timothy Weah scored the first goal for the Americans, before a Gareth Bale penalty kick tied the game 1-1.

“And we had some good counterattacking opportunities. But I thought the guys handled it well. You know we kept going right to the end. Well, I would say Wales were very direct in the second half. And they’ve got a great team. And they made it difficult,” Berhalter confessed.

Berhalter and the sins in the U.S. mark

“So, I think we handled a lot of our pressure well. But when they hit long balls and play for second balls, it becomes difficult. Even with the increased pressure from a Welsh side that played with their backs against the wall in the second half, the U.S. was still able to maintain enough stability in defense by allowing too many clear-cut scoring opportunities during the second half,” the U.S. DT clarified.

The horror tackle by center back Walker Zimmerman that sent Bale to the penalty spot would prove to be the turning point in the match that cost the U.S. three points in its return to the World Cup.

The U.S. will play England on Friday in what was already considered a big game, but will now have more pressure as it would do the U.S. a lot of good to come out of the game with at least a point.



World Cup 2022: All the USMNT’s mistakes: from Zimmerman’s crude penalty to Berhalter’s tactical errors


When Timothy Weah scored the USMNT‘s first goal at the Qatar 2022 World Cup in the 36th minute of the game against the Welsh national team, it looked like paradise was in store for the team coached by Gregg Berhalter, who like most of his players was having his first experience in the greatest showcase of world soccer, however, the clouds and doubts came in the second half.

Berhalter, who took over this team in 2018 decided to go out with the same 11 players that opened the game and that even included Sergio Dest and Weston McKennie, who had prolonged inactivity at their clubs due to different injuries.

U.S. manager Berhalter, on facing England: “This is an opportunity to show what we are made of”

All of Gregg Berhalter’s tactical mistakes

Perhaps that was Berhalter’s first big mistake, as the physical exhaustion they had suffered in the first half caused these players to drop their performance and then, suddenly, Wales did what they failed to do in the first 45 minutes, take the ball away from the team that won the last edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

That said, the first change came in the 66th minute, it was McKinnie who gave his place to Brenden Aaronson, Dest gave his place until the 74th minute for the most veteran player of this roster, DeAndre Yedlin, and Wales began to harass the goal defended by Matt Turner.

Giovanni Reyna, one of the most talented players and one of the most capable of retaining possession for Berhalter and company, was left waiting on the bench and was outplayed in the final minutes, but still held the lead.

Walker Zimmermann’s mistake that will be hard to forget

In the accumulation of errors, the most important one was missing, that of Walker Zimmerman, who in the 82nd minute, when Wales’ star player, Gareth Bale controlled the ball in the box and was with his back to the goal defended by Wayne Hennessey, swept directly to his left leg, making it easy for the referee to sanction the penalty kick with which the game would be tied in the end.

Thus, the United States leaves frustrated for not having been able to obtain the victory against Wales, the little experience weighed, the next rival is the most powerful of Group B, the national team of England.



World Cup 2022: USMNT fear for Gareth Bale? Gregg Berhalter’s team makes World Cup debut vs. Wales


With less than a week to go before the U.S. National Team‘s debut in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the team is getting ready for the game against Wales, certain that it is the most important match and that it could mark their future in the tournament, regardless of the fact that one of their opponents is Gareth Bale, with whom they will have to be very careful.

The U.S. team, one of the first to arrive in Qatar, is already preparing for Monday’s Group B opener against Wales, aware of the importance of getting their first win, as it could motivate them and give them a boost towards the second round.

MLS-based USMNT players land in Doha ahead of Qatar World Cup

The plan for the USMNT vs. Wales

“For us, the first game is the most complex, so we have to go out and give it our all. It’s our first game and we have to impose our rhythm and it will be a big challenge. We are taking it one game at a time, but it is a very important match and we hope to get a good result,” said Kellyn Acosta after Tuesday’s training session.

The LAFC midfielder was joined by Lille’s Tim Weah, who agreed with his compatriot and stated that as in any tournament, the objective is the first game, since a victory and 3 points could be vital, hence the importance of winning in their debut.

“I think in any tournament the goal is to win the first game. If you win in the debut, I don’t want to say that you can feel comfortable, but you already have three points in the bag. So it’s very important to stick to our game plan and go step by step, game by game. So for now we are just focusing on the first game,” Weah commented.

Gareth Bale, extreme caution in USMNT camp

They know that they will be up against a tough and motivated opponent, and that they have star player Gareth Bale in their ranks. And if anyone knows the former Real Madrid player, it is Kellyn Acosta, his teammate at LAFC, who has not been asked about him… for the moment.

“I haven’t been asked about Gareth, but we all know we’re playing him on Monday. He’s a very important player for them and he’s certainly a man we have to watch carefully,” he concluded.

The United States and Wales are placed in Group B of the 2022 World Cup, which they share with England and Iran.



LAFC 3-0 Austin FC: MLS on the verge of crowning its Dream Team: LAFC reaches MLS Cup Final for the first time with Gareth Bale in oblivion


With Carlos Vela in stellar form, Los Angeles FC continues to make history and this day reached the MLS Cup Final for the first time after defeating Austin FC 3-0 in the Western Conference Final. The team led by Mexican striker Carlos Vela continues to demonstrate why it was the best club throughout the season and is just one win away from winning the title.

LAFC’s dream week continues with Carlos Vela signing new dealAP

In front of thousands of fans that filled the Banc of California Stadium, LAFC consolidated its position as one of the favorites to win the MLS trophy, which it would achieve after winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Sunday’s game was a great one, which they capitalized on with goals from Cristian Arango, in the 29th minute, an own goal by Maximiliano Urruti (62nd) and Kwadwo Opoku (81st).

Carlos Vela’s show at the Banc of California Stadium

Carlos Vela is the main player in the Los Angeles FC squad and today he proved it. Although his two services were from corner kicks and one that ended in an own goal, the Mexican continues to collaborate with LAFC, a team that reached the MLS Cup final for the first time in its history and that on November 5 will try to win its second title of the season.

It was almost half an hour into the game when LAFC shook off the nerves of the Conference Final and opened the scoring. Vela took a corner kick and Arango beat his marker. Without jumping, he headed past goalkeeper Brad Stuver to make it 1-0 and set the stadium abuzz. The path to the final was set and it was just a matter of holding on to the lead.

And although they went to the break with the minimal advantage, the team from Los Angeles was better on the field, which they capitalized on in the second half again with the help of Vela, but this time thanks to a deflection by Urruti, who put the ball in his goal after the corner kick taken by the Mexican striker, who was the one who received the congratulations of all his teammates.

Who will LAFC play against for the championship?

With 9 minutes to go, Opoku scored, who took advantage of a strange bounce of the ball, left it comfortably for a left-footed shot and with a low shot put the final numbers to beat and eliminate a team that fought, but was widely dominated from the beginning.

Thus, LAFC, who a few weeks ago received the MLS Supporters’ Shield for being the best team of the season, will now have the opportunity to fight for the MLS Cup on November 5 against the winner of the match between Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.