The USMNT finally returned to the World Cup stage after a long absence, but they let a possible victory slip away thanks to a contribution from Wales’s danger man.
Tim Weah’s goal in the 36th minute gave the Americans the lead over Wales in their first World Cup game in eight years, but Gareth Bale’s penalty kick goal in the 82nd minute tied the score and saved a point for the Dragons. After one match, both teams are behind the Three Lions in Group B after England’s 6-2 victory over Iran earlier in the day.
Due to their infamous failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the United States has spent the previous four years rebuilding its program and focusing their national team on a core of young players, many of whom are currently competing in Europe’s top leagues.
But if the United States thinks eight years between World Cups is a long time, think about Wales, who last advanced to the World Cup in 1958. For some, that 64-year wait seemed interminable, but the Dragons had one of the most talented and clutch players in the league in Bale, and after Zimmerman fouled him, he delivered.
Manager Gregg Berhalter started Weston McKennie and Sergio Dest, two of the Americans’ biggest injury concerns. While Josh Sargent started at center forward, the coach also chose to pair veteran Tim Ream with Zimmerman in the center of defense. Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson started the game on the bench due to a glut of healthy attackers.
First half dominated by USMNT
Unlike Clint Dempsey’s goal in the 2014 opener, there was no goal after 30 seconds, although the United States did earn an early opportunity in the attacking third. The United States was given a free kick in a dangerous area after Christian Pulisic committed a foul with his first touch, but Pulisic failed to make much of it, sending the ball straight into Wales’s first line of defense.
Four minutes into the game, Pulisic’s better service won the U.S. a corner, but Wales was able to clear the threat. Despite this, the U.S. dominated possession, made incisive passes, and attempted to move the ball behind Wales’ well-organized defense in the early going.
In the ninth minute, the United States nearly scored an own goal. Weah blasted in a cross from the right that bounced off Joe Rodon’s head and was headed for the goal, but Wayne Hennessey made the stop without realizing it. Moments later, Hennessey made a crucial stop to preserve the U.S. onslaught by denying Sargent of a close-range header from an Antonee Robinson cross.
Two important American players received yellow cards in the ensuing minutes, with Dest and McKennie swiftly being added to the book. Another thing for the players to consider in a tough game is the fact that players are suspended after receiving two.
When the U.S. decided when to press and when to let the Dragons try to create room to play out of the back, the game leveled up and became a little more tense after the U.S.’s more dominant opening. Wales also saw more of the ball during this period.
A better second half for Wales
At the break, Wales made one big substitution, replacing Dan James with 6’5″ forward Kieffer Moore. With three goals in his last three club games, the Bournemouth attacker came into the World Cup in terrific scoring form. His presence was felt on a corner kick in the 49th minute, but the Americans managed to remove the threat.
In the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Wales kept up the pressure, starting to take some of the initiative and control away from the Americans. None of those opportunities ended up troubling Matt Turner in goal, but there was a sense that the tide was turning.
Up until Zimmerman fouled Bale in the U.S. box from behind in the 82nd minute, the U.S. appeared to be coasting to victory. Bale converted the spot-kick with ease, beating Turner with a thunderous left-footed penalty kick to tie the score at one.
Brennan Johnson was played through by Moore’s superb back-heel in the 89th minute, and Turner was afterwards brought into the game. Johnson was left with no choice but to direct his shot directly into Turner’s chest as the American defenders recovered to force him to a tighter angle.
After nine minutes of stoppage time, neither team was able to claim victory, and both teams were awarded one point. The United States’ next game is on Friday when it plays England, while Wales plays Iran.
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