The US men's team had to make an enormous effort, but the Stars and Stripes advanced to the 1/8 finals after defeating Iran 1-0. For years, everyone associated with the USMNT has been talking about changing the perception of American football, about turning a sleeping giant into a team that everyone believes.
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The giant hasn't woken up yet, not even close. Football is still fighting for respect. But by beating Iran 1-0 in the final match of the Football World Cup group stage on Tuesday, the US has moved one step closer to the powerhouse it aspires to be.
After so many trips, this is a huge achievement. It wasn't because of the smooth, attacking play that head coach Gregg Berhalter has preached so much since he took over. Instead, he came with the good old American tenacity that has defined this team for much of its history.
Many wondered if this team of young people had that kind of fortitude, the ability to just stand up to chaos and embrace it. Previously, he could not show his character. However, at Al-Tumama Stadium, the USMNT hid and fended off Iran's desperate attempts to equalize, which would have sent the Stars and Stripes home.
Christian Pulisic's first-half goal was all the USMNT needed, a landmark winning moment for a player who remains the nation's biggest football superstar. He converted despite the damage done to his body. It happened within the first 45 minutes when the US moved the game to Iran, just like England and Wales did.
In the second half, we had to hold on. He does what he couldn't do in the 1-1 draw with Wales at the start of the tournament. This time there will be no catastrophic error, no error in judgment. The defense was close to breaking, but as it turned out, this team has a survival instinct. What follows is a date with the Netherlands and what kind of game it will be.
From what the USMNT showed, US fans should feel confident, but not arrogant. Thoughts on the next game, however, are for another day. The sleeping giant is still asleep, but the USMNT is not yet ready to rest. There is still a lot of work to be done in Qatar World Cup.
The Winners
Christian Pulisic:
What a shame he couldn't celebrate his moment, considering as far as we all know he wanted to. The USMNT superstar finally got his superstar contribution, a goal that put his side ahead at a difficult moment. He flashed in the first two games, but it wasn't just a flash. It was palpable.
But by scoring the goal that sent the US to the playoffs, Pulisic put his body on the line. Worth it, I think, he would say. He returned but never looked the same before being substituted at half-time. In some ways, the injury added to the legend of his finish. Roughness in a sport that some skeptical Americans have long tried to portray as softness. This is a goal that will go down in history, one that made the whole country celebrate, even if he couldn't.
Cameron Carter-Vickers:
A big surprise on the team sheet more than justified his choice. Carter-Vickers replaced Walker Zimmerman, a tenacious player who has started in both Football World Cup games so far. Betting Zimmermann on the bench was a big challenge for Berhalter, especially given the fact that Carter-Vickers and Tim Rome had never played together. Consider it a genius move.
Likely introduced for his ability to deter Iranian counterattacks, Carter-Vickers fit in well with the game. The centre-back lost several aerial duels early but rose as the game went on, restricting Iran even as the trailing team advanced.
Credit should also be given to Rome who was once again flawless and arguably the most impressive USA Football World Cup team player in this tournament. What a game it was for two centre-backs who a month or two ago looked like they wouldn't even be on this team.
American soccer:
Those nine minutes felt like an eternity. Like the eight years leading up to this moment. American football has returned to the big stage, and the road here has not been pleasant. However, nobody cares. What matters is that USMNT is back. The USA survived a difficult group, beating every opponent for a long time. Returning to the 1/8 finals, the country is behind them after eight years in the wilderness.
An American football fan has waited so long for this chance to test the national team against the Netherlands in a decisive knockout match. And it will be a big test that this team will be very keen on after barely surviving in Iran. For more know about Football World Cup Tickets.
The Losers
Iran:
There were chances, that's for sure. Iran deserved at least one, if not more. On another day, the USMNT would be heading home wondering why it was under such pressure. One fleeting hit, headbutt wide of the bar, over the bar. It was possible and, probably, it was necessary to get into the grid.
That's not to say that Iran didn't deserve to move on, especially given what they showed after losing 6-2 to England. What a rebound from a team that many thought would be cannon fodder for the other three in the group. As it turned out, that game with England was a deviation from the norm. It was a morally strong team that played a tough game. A strong result in the midst of a turmoil that goes far beyond the sport.
Gio Reyna:
Berhalter has denied all talk of a split, and there is no reason to believe he is lying. But it remains a surprise how little Reyna has done to influence this Football World Cup. Reina was back on the bench, as you'd expect with two guys starting ahead of him on the flank. And when Pulisic came out with an injury, Berhalter turned to Brenden Aaronsohn. Justifiably so, you might of course object, given the Leeds star's ability to press.
But what does Reina need to do to get the game? Is it fair to think that there might simply be no place for him in the USMNT 4-3-3 system? The US doesn't play number 10 and Reina is nowhere near as fast as Pulisic or Weah. Is it just not in line with the game plan? It's possible. However, at some point, Reina will probably be needed. He is too talented and too inventive not to contribute. The question is whether he will be perceptive enough to help when that moment comes.
USMNT ratings: Defense
Matt Turner (7/10):
There were no spectacular saves, but he made solid ones.
Sergino Dest (7/10):
Took my game to the next level at this Football World Cup. The game went very smoothly, with no gaps in defense.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (8/10):
An absolute monster. Lived up to Berhalter's call with an outstanding performance in which he played hooligan ball many times.
Tim Ream (7/10):
Again fantastic. It is worth repeating that he did not participate in the qualifiers at all.
Antonee Robinson (6/10):
A few light touches and a few field hits, but mostly okay.
Midfield
Weston McKennie (6/10):
Was sloppier than in the last game, but made two fantastic diagonal balls, including one into the net. Yellow was also avoided, which is great news.
Tyler Adams (9/10):
This is, in principle, to be expected at the moment. No USMNT player has played at a higher level in this tournament.
Yunus Musah (7/10):
Typical Musa. He dribbled throughout midfield and was generally successful.
Attack
Tim Weah (5/10):
There should have been two goals, in the end, zero. Was active, but not quite there. You will regret that you rushed with a header in the first half.
Josh Sargent (7/10):
Was better than most could give him credit. His small runs opened up a lot of space for the USMNT to attack.
Christian Pulisic (8/10):
Literally put everything on the line to score the goal that the US needed. He lived to half before he died from an injury.
Subs & Manager
Brenden Aaronson (6/10):
Was definitely active after replacing Pulisic, pressing and running as he usually does.
Kellyn Acosta (6/10):
Still confused why Musah took that free-kick over the LAFC midfielder, a true dead ball specialist.
Haji Wright (5/10):
Probably wasn't the guy the U.S. needed in this situation. Wasted a golden chance late. Pressing was lackluster. Why not Ferreira?
Walker Zimmerman (N/A):
Brought on late to bunker.
Shaq Moore (N/A):
Same as above, but did have one nervy header out of play.
Gregg Berhalter (7/10):
Got the starters spot on. Subs left a little to be desired, but the USMNT survived so can you fault him?
USMNT advances to Football World Cup knockout stage with hard-fought victory over Iran
The US Men’s national team (USMNT) was forced to work hard to secure a place in the World Cup playoffs with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Iran in a nerve-wracking Group B decider at Qatar 2022. Christian Pulisic's first half The goal was everything , which separated the two sides as USMNT advanced to the Football World Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 2014.
Gregg Berhalter's team in Qatar certainly came under pressure after the national team failed to qualify for the 2018 Football World Cup, but the US did the job with three rigorous group performances. Of course, it was not very pleasant at times, especially in the final stages against Iran, but advancing through the group stage was the minimum expectation from this exciting young team.
However, there will be some concern ahead of the playoffs after Pulisic suffered a stomach injury while scoring the winning goal. The USMNT will be hoping its star player, referred to by some as ‘Captain America', will be ready for the round of 16 matchup against the Netherlands on Saturday following the news that Pulisic has been sent to the hospital for a scan.
It was the only third meeting between the two countries and their first Football World Cup meeting since France in 1998 – a politically charged match in which Iran emerged victorious 2-1. called the “Great Satan, met on the football field, it became the largest sporting event between the countries since the 1979 revolution.
The preparations for this game in Qatar were just as intense, with Iran even calling for the USMNT to be excluded from the Football World Cup after the US Football Federation posted the Iranian flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic on their social media platforms to support the protesters in Iran.
USMNT manager Berhalter and Capt. Tyler Adams also answered some tough questions from Iranian journalists in a fiery press conference, fighting off accusations of hypocrisy and disrespect. The hype around this game only added drama to a match that – even in a vacuum, away from off-field problems – was guaranteed to be fraught with tension. For more know about Netherlands vs USA Tickets.
Both teams knew a win would secure a place in the Round of 16, but for USMNT even a draw wouldn't be enough to advance from the group. There weren't too many signs of early nervousness on the USMNT side as Berhalter's team dictated the early stages with 65% possession, although it took until the 28th minute to create the first chance.
Josh Sargeant's shot from long range deflected an Iranian defender and accurately got in the way of Timothy Weah, who may not have realized he was all alone in front of the net, and landed a header that caught Alireza Beiranvand in Iran's net. easily. At the half-hour mark, Weah again got into a brilliant position in the box, but after being set up by Sargeant, he took his shot over the crossbar.
USMNT pressure eventually took its toll seven minutes before halftime, taking the lead after a sharp team move. An accurate crossfield from Weston McKenny sent the ball back over the net by a marauding Serginho Dest, and Pulisic sent it bravely into a goal that collided hard with Beiranvand as he threw the ball over the line.
The USMNT's delight quickly turned to concern as it was obvious that Pulisic was in great pain after the collision, limping heavily as he was assisted by two medics. Pulisic was soon back on the field, but the Chelsea player was clearly still struggling with the kick. As the USMNT gained confidence, gaps began to open up in Iran's defense, and Weah thought he doubled his team's lead shortly before halftime by finishing miraculously with the outside of his boot, only to be met with the referee's flag on the narrowest of the sides, decisions outside the game.
While Iran would have been happy to weather this storm in the first half, it was a surprisingly contained performance – especially after Pulisic's goal – from a team that caused both England and Wales defensive problems in the first two matches. Iran did start the second half with great authority, creating two brilliant chances for Saman Goddos, but the Brentford striker failed to bother USMNT goaltender Matt Turner.
As the clock ticked, Iran had a great chance to equalize, but Morteza Puraliganji's slanting shot swept wide of the far post, much to the relief of American fans in the stands, many of whom clutched their heads. There were loud calls for penalties from Iranian players at the end of nine minutes of stoppage time, with Mehdi Taremi insisting that Cameron Carter-Vickers brought down the Porto striker as he tried to hit the end of the cross.
After a short, tense check, the VAR system decided that there was no penalty and shortly thereafter, referee Mateu Laoz blew his whistle to end the game. Both teams have sunk to the floor – for very different reasons – but the USA football world cup team will know that better results are needed if they want to have a chance to advance further in Qatar World Cup.
“I hope our fans…forgive us”
After the defeat, the emotional Said Ezatolahi apologized to the Iranian fans. Iran were in a strong position going into the final game after a decisive 2–0 victory over Wales, they only needed a draw to progress but put in a disappointing performance with a play-off spot.
“I'm very sorry on behalf of our players, our group, that we weren't able to get through to the next round, the midfielder said. Life and football go on and this can be a good lesson for us, at least for young players like me, for the future. So I hope our fans and our people in Iran will forgive us, and I'm just sorry, that's all.”
Iran's coach Carlos Queros said the dream is over but he is already looking to the future. The first half was in the US and the second half was in Iran, said Kieros, who is Iran's longest-serving coach, managing the team from 2011 to 2019 before returning for a second term in September. The difference was that we didn't score in the second half as we should have. But the dream is over. Now he is thinking about the next step for Iran, added Chieros, who is the only coach to lead the team to consecutive football world cups.
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