While Pulisic is undoubtedly the star of the USMNT, captain Adams has been the team’s engine and heartbeat. We deserve to be in the position we’re in and we want to keep it that way.” “It’s a great opportunity, but it’s not something that we’re going in thinking it’s an honor. “From here, anything can happen,” Berhalter said ahead of the match. That his team was able to focus and deliver when it mattered most will give Berhalter and US fans huge confidence going into Saturday’s match. 'We're not finished yet,' says USMNT's Walker Zimmerman ahead of knockout stagesīerhalter and captain Tyler Adams faced some tough questions from Iranian journalists in a fiery pre-match press conference, fending off accusations of hypocrisy and disrespect. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Elsa/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images The performance against Iran – a gritty but deserved 1-0 win – will have been incredibly pleasing to Berhalter, in particular as it came against the backdrop of much off-field tension in the buildup.ĪL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Walker Zimmerman #3 of United States walks on the pitch before the match against England during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on Novemin Al Khor, Qatar. Pulisic, dubbed “Captain America” by some US fans, told reporters Thursday that he “will do everything in my power to work with this medical team and make sure that I can play.”įortunately, for US fans, the USMNT tweeted from its official account late on Friday that Pulisic “has been cleared to play” in the win-or-go-home match against the Dutch. The Chelsea forward suffered what he called a pelvic contusion while scoring the winner in its crunch match against Iran, but head coach Berhalter said Friday that Pulisic is on track to play on Saturday. Of course, the main concern for the US is the fitness of star man Christian Pulisic. With the Netherlands ranked eighth in FIFA’s world rankings – eight places above the US – and boasting world renowned talents like Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay, Saturday’s match will be a tough one for the US.Ĭan Berhalter’s men reach the last eight for the first time since 2002? CNN Sport takes a look. The USMNT gave England real trouble in its group stage match and will likely have come out of that game the more disappointed of the two teams with the 0-0 draw, while a solid win over Iran in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all match showed that Gregg Berhalter’s men can perform under intense pressure. Though the bookmakers have the Netherlands as the odds-on favorite, this match-up is certainly closer than that and both teams will feel confident of booking a place in the quarterfinals. © 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc.The round of 16 match on Saturday between the US Men’s National Team and the Netherlands is one of the more intriguing clashes in the first knockout round of Qatar 2022. (Injured outfield players are allowed to temporarily come off the field while play resumes to test their fitness before being officially subbed out, but goalies can’t really leave their goal unattended.)Īs soon as play resumed, however, Beiranvand went back to the ground and was subsequently replaced by Hosseini. Although backup goalie Hossein Hosseini was warming up and ready, Iran opted to leave Beiranvand in the game without coming off the field. After the collision, Beiranvand appeared seriously injured and stayed on the ground while being treated by doctors. Saudi Arabia next plays Poland on Saturday.Īl-Shahrani’s injury comes just one day after Iran’s goalie, Alireza Beiranvand, stirred controversy after taking a blow to his head in the country’s opening loss to England. One of the most experienced on the team, it would be a massive blow for Saudi Arabia – who now suddenly has legitimate hope to advance to the knockout stage – if Al-Shahrani’s injury forces him to miss any time. Argentina stunned by Saudi Arabia in one of biggest World Cup upsets ever
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