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☆ Dumfries delivers as Dutch head into last eight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was another Dutch performance at the Qatar World Cup that will not please their demanding supporters as they were unusually cautious at times, played at a slow tempo, and lived dangerously by allowing the Americans plenty of possession. The response from the Dutch was swift. The lively start was quickly replaced with a more languid passage of play, the Netherlands sitting back as they waited for counter-attack chances. Those misses were swiftly punished as the Dutch broke again down the right and scored a carbon copy of the first goal when Dumfries pulled back his cross for 32-year-old left back Blind to score in his 98th international. Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ With 2026 on the horizon future looks bright for young Americans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v United States - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2022 United States players applaud fans after the match as United States are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Annegret HilseAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The United States exited the World Cup with a Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday but looking towards the 2026 horizon, a bright future is rising for the young Americans. With defender DeAndre Yedlin, who played in Brazil in 2014, the only link to the country's World Cup past, the Americans' lack of experience was glaring at moments but offset by exuberance and a breathless work rate. A gritty, politically charged win over Iran and draws against England and Wales carried the United States into the last 16 but more will be expected on home soil. "We're just not there yet, we have to use this World Cup to establish ourselves. The loss to the Netherlands underscored the hard work ahead if the Americans plan to venture beyond the Round of 16 in 2026.

☆ The Tactical Battle of Wits That Will Decide U.S.-Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—The most consequential U.S. men’s national team game in two decades is one coach Gregg Berhalter has been preparing for his entire career. He had no idea when he moved to Holland as a 21-year-old that he would one day face the Netherlands for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals. But on Saturday, in a win-or-go-home match at Khalifa International Stadium, the soccer philosophy he most admires will be turned against him. It represents the biggest test so far of Berhalter’s skills as an in-game manager, pitting him against one of the great tacticians of the modern game, a wily 71-year-old named Louis van Gaal.

☆ Berhalter hoping to draw on Dutch lessons in last 16 tie
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former American international Berhalter signed his first professional contract with Dutch side PEC Zwolle and also played for Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden during an 18-year playing career. Berhalter is not the only person in the American camp with Dutch experience. Right back Sergino Dest was born to a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American father in Almere, Netherlands and grew up in Holland. It's a very good club to develop players and he did really well there," Berhalter said. "It looks pretty good, but we'll have to see him today on the pitch to get confirmation of that," Berhalter said.

CNN —US Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter had good news for fans on Friday, saying that star player Christian Pulisic is looking likely to play in the team’s round of 16 World Cup clash against the Netherlands on Saturday. Pulisic revealed Thursday that he had suffered a “pelvic contusion” and Berhalter said the Chelsea forward is progressing well. The USMNT is looking to progress to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, but Berhalter said the team were not looking that far ahead. “It’s literally one game at a time, one minute at a time,” he told reporters. “You also have to realize that it could be a 120-minute exercise and you have to plan your lineups and substitutions accordingly.”More to follow.

☆ The U.S. Coach Wanted a Soccer Education. He Went Dutch.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In the summer of his junior year of college in 1994, Gregg Berhalter decided it was time to look further afield to continue his studies. He was going to abandon his bachelor’s degree at North Carolina and go chase an education in soccer. The future U.S. men’s national team coach didn’t choose England for his study abroad, the nation that invented the game, or Italy, which had the strongest professional league. Instead, Berhalter settled on a small country full of towns he couldn’t pronounce and fans who all believed they had Ph.D.s in the game.

☆ Gregg Berhalter: The American Soccer Coach Who Learned From Dutch Masters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ US star Christian Pulisic says he is taking injury 'day-by-day': 'I didn't get hit in the balls'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Men’s National Team (USMNT) captain Christian Pulisic shone some light on his mystery injury on Thursday and allayed fears surrounding his fitness heading into Saturday’s huge round of 16 clash against the Netherlands. “I didn’t get, like, hit in the balls,” he added. “I’m alright. It was very painful and that bone is there for a reason to protect you, I think, and I hit it well. It would be a huge blow to the USMNT’s chances if the 24-year-old is forced to miss the match against the Netherlands.

☆ USMNT: 'We're not finished yet,' says Walker Zimmerman ahead of knockout stages
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After a 1-0 victory against Iran earned the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) a place in the World Cup knockout stages, the players insist their campaign is far from done. “I think the narrative continues, we’re still going to try and do that and accomplish our goal of winning the World Cup. Josh Sargent and Ramin Rezaeian embrace after Tuesday's game. At the end Tuesday’s game, players from the two teams embraced in an apparent show of solidarity. “We also know the stakes of a World Cup, and then on top of that everything that they’re dealing with emotionally.

☆ Political bad blood between U.S. and Iran dominates run-up to World Cup showdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The politics of anti-regime protests are dominating the run-up to a World Cup showdown between the U.S. and Iran, with coaches and players fielding politically charged questions before Tuesday’s match. I’m a soccer coach.” He also was asked for his thoughts about the U.S. military’s presence in the Persian Gulf. The protests at home have followed Iran’s soccer team throughout the World Cup, which began Nov. 20 in Qatar. At some of the games, Qatari police have confiscated T-shirts or signs supporting the protests in Iran. More recently, a prominent former soccer player in Iran, Voria Ghafouri, was arrested after he endorsed the protests, according to Iranian state-linked media.

☆ U.S. lauds wounded hero Pulisic for getting them into last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But he could not even celebrate the goal as he had injured himself following a collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. The United States join Group B rival England in advancing to the round of 16, fielding what was the national team's youngest ever starting 11 in a must-win match against a physically tough Iran side. Going back, him not qualifying for the last World Cup and then being here and qualifying us through that's the work of God and I love him. "He's so important to this team, he's a key player, a leader and someone that we definitely need." Reporting by Martin Petty, Additional reporting by Rory Carroll; editing by Pritha Sarkar/Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pulisic sends fired-up U.S. to last 16 in simmering contest with Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pulisic's 38th minute goal proved enough for the Americans to advance at the expense of their geopolitical rivals in an eagerly awaited rematch of their 1998 World Cup group stage meeting, which Iran had won 2-1. "But it's a wonderful thing when one of your best players is also one of the most hard working. The Americans finished two points behind Group B winners England to reach the last 16 for the fifth time since 1994. Second half we showed what we could do determination wise. Iran only needed a point to advance but they were largely restricted to playing on the counter and unable to muster a credible attempt at scoring until the second half.

☆ USMNT advances to World Cup knockout stage with hard-fought victory over Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup knockout stage, earning a tough 1-0 win over Iran in a nerve-racking Group B decider at Qatar 2022. Christian Pulisic’s first-half goal was all that separated the two sides as the USMNT reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2014. It certainly wasn’t pretty at times, in particular in the closing stages against Iran, but progressing through the group stage was the minimum expectation for this exciting young team. There will be some concerns going into the knockout stages, though, after Pulisic suffered an abdominal injury while scoring the winner. The USMNT had to battled hard for its place in the round of 16.

CNN —US Men’s National Team (USMNT) forward Christian Pulisic has been taken to hospital due to an abdominal injury he suffered while scoring the game-winning goal for the United States in its crucial 1-0 win over Iran. During post-match coverage, FOX Sports broadcaster Rob Stone provided an update on the condition of Pulisic, saying: “An update on his condition. Pulisic lay injured on the pitch after scoring his side's opening goal and only goal during the match against Iran. Pulisic soon re-entered the pitch, but was clearly still struggling with the knock. As Group B runners-up, the United States will face Group A winners Netherlands on Saturday.

☆ Sargent replaces Wright for U.S., Iran's Beiranvand back in goal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter recalled Josh Sargent to his starting lineup for Tuesday's Group B showdown against Iran, who were boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after his recovery from concussion. Sargent, who started the Americans' opener against Wales, was dropped for Friday's match against England but has regained his spot from Haji Wright up front, while centre back Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Walker Zimmerman. Beiranvand was the only change to the Iran side that stunned Wales 2-0 after the concussion and broken nose he sustained against England last week. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz kept faith up front in Sardar Azmoun for a second straight match, with the forward having not started in their opener, as well as Ramin Rezaeian, scorer of one of Iran's two late goals against Wales. Iran: Alireza Beiranvand, Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Mehdi Taremi, Ali Gholizadeh, Majid Hosseini, Sardar Azmoun, Ahmad Nourollahi, Ramin RezaeianUnited States: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Tim Weah, Josh SargentReporting by Hritika Sharma; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. Coach Apologizes for Iranian Flag Post, But Denies Involvement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—A day after the U.S. Soccer Federation deleted a social media post with an altered version of the Iranian flag ahead of their crucial World Cup clash, American coach Gregg Berhalter apologized on behalf of the players and staff for causing offense—even though he said they had no advance knowledge of the federation’s plans. “We had no idea about what U.S. Soccer put out. The staff, the players, we had no idea,” Berhalter said Monday. “All we can do is apologize on behalf of the players and the staff. But it’s not something that we were a part of.”

☆ U.S. Coach Apologizes for Iranian Flag Post, but Denies Involvement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Iran faces USA in winner-takes-all match to progress to World Cup knockout stages
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The knockout stage has already arrived for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) at the World Cup – nothing less than a win on Tuesday will suffice when it takes on Iran in a winner-takes-all match. In the build-up to the game, Iran state media called for the US to be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup after US Soccer changed Iran’s flag on its social media accounts to show support for the protestors in Iran. In the other Group B match, England looks to seal its almost certain place in the knockout stages against Wales. If England defeats Wales, the USMNT would qualify in second place in the group providing it beats Iran; while if England loses, the USMNT would finish first. Tuesday’s fixturesNetherlands vs Qatar: 10pm ETEcuador vs Senegal: 10pm ETWales vs England: 2pm ETIran vs USA: 2pm ETHow to watchUS: Fox SportsUK: BBC or ITVAustralia: SBSBrazil: SportTVGermany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche TelekomCanada: Bell MediaSouth Africa: SABC

☆ Diplomatic foes Iran and U.S. clash in winner-takes-all contest
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ties have been strained in recent years when then-President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of an Iran nuclear deal. The United States killed a top Iranian general in 2020 and Tehran responded with missile strikes at U.S. forces based in Iraq. The eagerly awaited meeting is a rematch of the 1998 World Cup group stage contest, dubbed the "mother of all games", which Iran won 2-1. Overshadowing Iran's World Cup build-up this year has been civil unrest at home over the September death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, arrested for flouting the country's strict Islamic dress code. They sang quietly on Friday at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, where boos and jeers were heard from Iran supporters.

☆ How the U.S. Beat, Drew and Lost to England On the Same Day
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter and his players after Friday’s draw with England, a result that was open to wide interpretation. AL KHOR, Qatar—Yunus Musah and Tim Ream played on the same side in the same game. But after their U.S. team drew with England in a hotly anticipated World Cup showdown on Friday, it sounded like they experienced entirely different affairs. Musah beamed about the potential long-term impact from standing toe-to-toe with one of the tournament’s favorites. He thought the Americans should have won.

The United States and England fought to a goal-less draw in Qatar on Friday night, as America kept hope alive for advancing to World Cup knockout action. A well organized U.S. team pressed well and frustrated England and could feel disappointed in the end after creating the better chances in the game. Then the United States escaped with a 1-1 draw against the Three Lions, in South Africa, in 2010. That point proved crucial to the United States in 2010, as Landon Donovan scored a famous stoppage-time winner in his team's final group match against Algeria. The U.S. match against Iran is set to kickoff at Tuesday at 2 p.m. EST at Al-Thumama Stadium.

☆ Clinical edge crucial for U.S. to reach last 16, says Berhalter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Berhalter's side are third in Group B with two points and would go through to the last 16 for the fifth time since 1994 with a win over Iran in their final group game on Tuesday. I'm overall pleased with the performance of the group, most importantly the belief of this group because that never wavered," Berhalter told reporters. In the end, it sets up our first knockout game of this World Cup and that's going to be a focus of ours. "We played with a ton of spirit but we're going to have to be up for it (against Iran). We want a chance to advance... We know it's going to be a difficult game, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

☆ Kane leads unchanged England, striker Wright in for U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Captain Harry Kane will lead England in their second match at the World Cup in Qatar against the United States on Friday after he recovered from a minor ankle injury earlier this week in an unchanged lineup for the Three Lions. England manager Gareth Southgate kept the side that beat Iran 6-2 on Monday and retained Harry Maguire - who was substituted after feeling ill in that match - at the centre of defence. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter made one change from the side which drew 1-1 with Wales in the Americans' opening match, giving a start to striker Haji Wright in place of Josh Sargent who led the attack on Monday. Wright, who plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor and has four caps for the United States, came on as substitute in the Wales game. England: Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Raheem SterlingUnited States: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Tim WeahWriting by William Schomberg; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ England suffer reality check in 0-0 draw with U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - England suffered a sobering reality check as they were outplayed for long periods by a youthful United States side in a tense 0-0 draw in their second World Cup Group B game on Friday. A 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday sent fans' hopes soaring but Gareth Southgate's side were fortunate not to suffer a repeat of their 1950 World Cup calamity against the Americans. England captain Harry Kane sent a late header wide that would have given England a first World Cup win over the U.S. at the third attempt but it would have been a travesty. "Wasn't the best performance for sure," Kane, who remains two behind Wayne Rooney's England record 53 goals, said. Haji Wright, the only change to Gregg Berhalter's line-up from the opening draw with Wales, headed wide and England had a huge let-off when McKennie half-volleyed over.

☆ US remains unbeaten against England at World Cups after goalless draw in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar CNN —It may have only been a goalless draw but Friday’s result at Qatar 2022 spoke volumes as to where this US Men’s National Team (USMNT) is going. Facing an England team full of superstars that reached the European Championship final last year is no easy task, but the Americans looked more than at home. But any annoyance shouldn’t last too long with the USMNT still unbeaten against England at World Cups. Christian Pulisic saw his effort crash off the crossbar as England struggled to cope with the American’s intensity. It felt reminiscent of the USMNT’s previous match against Wales when it started in brilliant form.

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