Tomorrow, the United States Men’s National Team will kickoff their World Cup against Wales. It could be the most important game of Group B as the first match for the two teams likely to compete for second place. There’s personnel questions on both sides. Let’s break it down.
USA Wales Players Preview: What Positions Are Key?
The talisman for the Dragons:
Let’s start with the best and most important player of this game: Gareth Bale. His move to LAFC was a mixed bag. He played 347 minutes in four months, but just 28 minutes since October 1. That said, he subbed into extra time of MLS Cup and scored the tying goal to send the game to penalties. He’s a major reason LAFC won MLS Cup. The personal public goal was for him to get fit for the World Cup. That was not achieved. He continued to struggle with injuries and fitness.
He played all but seven minutes total in the two World Cup Qualifier Playoffs earlier this year. In the most recent international window, he played 90 minutes and 26 minutes in the two Nations League games. Wales Bale and club Bale are different players in terms of availability. For club and country, he’s a talisman.
I think Bale starts but does not go 90 minutes. The rest of the lineup for the Dragons is pretty straight forward.
Big decisions at the front and back for Berhalter:
Moving on to the Yanks, there’s a few uncertainties. Who plays at center back next to Walker Zimmerman? Who plays in the front three, specifically at center forward?
Aaron Long’s gotten the playing time at the back most recently for manager Gregg Berhalter. Cameron Carter-Vickers was called up as well, who played in two games back in June but had little involvement in World Cup qualification. Veteran Tim Ream was a surprise but welcome inclusion. He’s having his best stint in the EPL for Fulham as captain. My guess: GGG doesn’t overthink it. Go with continuity and start Long. If anything happens or he wants to with a back five at the end of the game, sub on Ream.
Forward’s been the biggest question for this team for almost two years. Jesús Ferreira seems like the straight forward option. He has 14 caps between this year and last year, with seven goals. He played in six WCQ games. Josh Sargent was favored at the start of the Hexagonal, but he’s just not goal dangerous. He does have 11 goal contributions for Norwich this season.
I’ve seen some chatter about playing Tim Weah in that position. He’s played there for Lille more than on the right or left, but he’s been a winger under Berhalter. Lastly, there’s Jordan Morris and Hadji Wright. Neither of them is starting this game.
I think Berhalter again goes with continuity. Start Ferreira and make adjustments as the game goes along. Christian Pulisic will start on his wing, probably the left. The US is likely to have a lot of the ball, so I’d go attacking on the other wing as well. Start Weah as he breaks through lines better than the other attackers. If they need to shut up shop in the second half, sub on Brendan Aaronson to press. If they’re chasing the game, bring on Reyna. Unless they go desperate direct football, we won’t see Wright.
