2022 World Cup Preview: USA vs Wales

3 News

Mon 21st Nov, 2022 07:37

The Stars and Stripes will trade tackles with Wales in Group B on Monday, November 21 at the Al Rayyan Stadium at 19:00 GMT.

This game could be one of the most entertaining at the World Cup this year. Both teams are returning to the World Cup, but Wales would appear to be strangers having not represented in 64 years. The United States, on the other hand, are back after missing the last edition in Russia.

Both teams have not been in the best of form since securing qualification and would be seeking to get back on track.

FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)

USA have been defeated once in their last five games while Wales have struggled to avoid defeat in their last five.

USA

September 27, 22    Saudi Arabia       0–0       United States     Friendly

September 23, 22   Japan                  2–0       United States     Friendly

June 14, 22            El Salvador          1–1       United States     Nations League GS

June 10, 22            United States       5–0       Grenada            Nations League GS

June 5, 22             United States        0–0      Uruguay             Friendly

WALES

25 September 2022      Wales              0–1            Poland            Nations League A

22 September 2022      Belgium          2–1            Wales              Nations League A

14 June 2022               Netherlands   3–2            Wales              Nations League A

11 June 2022               Wales              1–1          Belgium         Nations League A

8 June 2022                 Wales              1–2         Netherlands   Nations League A

HEAD TO HEAD

The two sides have clashed twice, with the United States having the greater positive share of the numbers.

26 May 2003      USA v Wales      2-0         International Friendly

12 Nov 2020      Wales v USA      0-0         International Friendly

TEAM NEWS AND PREDICTED LINE-UP

USA

USA coach Gregg Berhalter would most likely depend on the dexterous feet of Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna while depending on the skillset of Yunus Musah and McKennie in the middle.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

(4-3-3) Turner; Dest, Long, Zimmerman, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Yunus; Pulisic, Ferreira, Reyna

WALES

The Dragons may not be entirely sorted with quality to the extreme. However,  the excellence of Gareth Bale coupled with the availability of Brennan Johnson could present manager Rob Page with an opportunity to shock the world.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

(3-4-2-1) Hennessey; Norrington-Davies, Rodon, Ampadu; C Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, N Williams; Johnson; Bale; Moore