The US men’s national team, which had only one player, had any world Cup To participate in this tournament, the Netherlands face off on Saturday at 10 am ET. While reaching the last 16 was considered a success by many fans, the players don’t feel the same. They are ready to stay, saying that the job is not over yet.
Al Ittihad – led by Christian Pulisic, who will return from injury – are looking to make their second quarter-final appearance in 20 years and their third overall. But Orangi stands in the way. Netherlands star Cody Gakpo, 23, has found the net in every game so far.
more:Dutch soccer has influenced the USMNT due to coach Greg Berhalter’s time in the Netherlands
World Cup victories:Schedule, news and match analysis
Meet the team:Get to know each member of the US Men’s National Team
Follow every match: Live world cup results
The Americans struggled to find their footing in the first half
The USA started the game well, but Memphis Depay’s 10th-minute goal took the wind out of the Americans’ sails. A formidable force in the group stage, the US midfield looks tired and unable to break through a Netherlands defence, who seem happy to concede possession.
Goal! Memphis Depay put the Netherlands ahead 1-0 early
The United States trailed for the first time in a World Cup finals after Memphis Depay’s 10th-minute goal for the Netherlands. The Barcelona man scored his first cross into the penalty area, beating USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner into the far corner.
It’s the first goal the Americans have conceded in open play here in Qatar.
For years, Christian Pulisic carried the burden of the USMNT’s failure to reach the 2018 World Cup. Now, with a talented young squad, that lift is much lighter.
“Honestly, this team helps me a lot to take the pressure off me,” Pulisic said Thursday. “Two years ago, there were times when I might have felt like I needed to do more. But with these guys, I don’t feel that way at all, to be honest. I know they have my back.”
Doha, Qatar – Al Khalifa is the only stadium that also has a track that pushes the seats away from the field. It certainly takes away some of the pre-game energy, though USMNT fans made themselves heard when Christian Pulisic was introduced. Lots of US flags in the stands – or people wearing T-shirts that look like flags – along with an England banner. why? Your guess is as good as mine
– Nancy Armor
Christian Pulisic starts in the USMNT. Jesus Ferreira will see his first few minutes of the tournament, while Josh Sargent will be out with an ankle injury. The USMNT will field 25 players against the Dutch.
Holland is currently dealing with a flu that is spreading around the team. Coach Louis van Gaal gave the players the day off on Thursday instead of playing the typical 11v11 game.
He declined to say how many players were affected.
Contributing: Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar – Greg Berhalter can now admit that he was “totally unprepared” for professional soccer when he went to Holland after graduating college.
He was putting the ball on someone’s wrong foot. and shout at. He had a teammate who wanted to connect the balls without spin, something Berhalter struggled to do. So he was yelling at. His passes weren’t always as clear as they should be. So he will yell at some more.
“There were a lot of details I was missing about the college I attended in the Netherlands,” Berhalter said Friday.
And those lessons he learned then can now be seen in American men.
It is fitting for the USMNT’s path to the World Cup Quarterfinals via the Netherlands, due to the influence the Dutch game had on that team.
– Nancy Armor
Like many other World Cup teams in this tournament, the Netherlands are fighting the flu. The error continued on the US team last week.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal gave his team the day off on Thursday instead of playing a typical 11v11 match.
“I gave them a day off,” Van Gaal said on Friday. “With this group, they let me know. I listen to my players.”
He refused to say how many players were affected, but by abandoning the typical training schedule Van Gaal created speculation that at least six players were ill.
“We’re not going to expand on that,” he said. “But if things go wrong on set, it’s worrying.”
Frenkie de Jong said his scratchy throat disrupted his ability to communicate during the win over Qatar, and Martin de Roon told reporters he caught a cold earlier this week.
– News agency
Outstanding defense, Christian Pulisic and stamina are important factors for the USMNT squad during Saturday’s World Cup knockout match against the Netherlands.
USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armor looks at what the U.S. needs to do to advance to its second-quarter appearance in 20 years.
Never miss a moment of the knockout rounds. Find the full schedule, add matches to your calendar and stay up to date with all the latest tournament news.
American men have never won a World Cup. In fact, they have only reached the quarter-finals of the competition twice before.
Meanwhile, defending champions France attempted to do something only Italy and Brazil had done before – winning back-to-back FIFA Men’s World Cups. But the path to victory will not be easy with the growing list of injuries.
Here’s who the USA TODAY Network reporters think will emerge as champions (disclaimer: chosen before the tournament begins):
The USMNT is guaranteed at least $13 million in prize money from this World Cup, a number that could rise to $17 million if they beat the Netherlands in the last 16 on Saturday. Thanks to a landmark collective bargaining agreement reached in May between the USA soccer team and its national teams, half of the prize money will go to the American women.
That’s more than the women’s team has achieved in their last two outings… combined.
Signs say “yes”.
Pulisic says, “I’m doing everything I can to be able to be on the field on Saturday.” The USMNT star was cleared to play Friday night, after he went through training.
Pulisic was taken off in the first half against Iran with a bruised pelvis. He hit a knee in his pelvic bone in a full-speed collision with Iran’s goalkeeper after scoring in the 1-0 win that sent the USMNT to the World Cup playoffs.
Contributing: Nancy Armor
time: Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m. ET
stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or broadcast via fuboTV and Peacock (in Spanish)
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