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Tribune News Service

No one expects the US to beat England.
The oddsmakers say the World Cup game in Al Khor on the edge of the Qatari desert is a huge mismatch, like leading lambs to slaughter. England are ranked fifth in the world. They made the semi-finals of the last tournament and the final of the last European Championship.
And the US? Well, they have done nothing comparable.
“We haven’t achieved anything as a group on the world stage,” coach Gregg Berhalter said.
Before you go out and bet the farm on the Three Lions, though, here’s a fact to consider: the Americans have never lost to England in a World Cup, winning in 1950 and earning a draw 12 years ago in South Africa. And they’re not conceding anything going into this game.




“I don’t think anything intimidates me. Other than spiders,” captain Tyler Adams said on Thursday.
Adams is one of eight members of the US team who plays club football in the UK, and that has helped erase some of the mystique surrounding the English game. While the Americans respect England, they no longer fear them.
“England are currently one of the favourites to win the World Cup. People would probably say that we’re the underdogs,” Adams said. “But we carry that with pride. We have to perform in the games and show up. We know that our quality can show and our determination can show.”
If it doesn’t, the show might soon be over for the US. After a tournament-opening draw with Wales, a loss to England would be a significant blow to the Americans’ chances to reach the knockout stages. Conversely a win would move them a big step closer to advancing.
Berhalter said on Thursday he expects to have a full squad, with forward Gio Reyna, midfielder Weston McKennie and outside back Sergiño Dest – who have all been dealing with fitness issues – available to play.

Adams, meanwhile, said he sees an opportunity for the US to exploit the way England play. Wales set up in a low block and allowed the US to have the ball most of the night while holding them to just one goal.
England, on the other hand, play a possession-based, short-passing game. In their first match they had the ball for 70 of the 90 minutes and completed 716 passes, the third-most in a 90-minute game in World Cup history, while routing Iran 6-2.
“It sets up to our strengths in a way,” Adams said. “We feel one of the qualities of our team, that we’ve built over the past three years, is our pressing. The amount of guys we have on the team that can get in and around the ball, the athleticism to cover spaces and cover ground. And we play in a very aggressive way against the ball.
“That ultimately sets us up to create a lot of transition moments.”
Messi on brink as Argentina look to salvage World Cup
Despite the Americans’ favourable record against England, they have mostly struggled against European teams at the World Cup, winning just once in their last 19 games. That means a win on Friday would not only move the US that much closer to the next round, it would also serve notice that this team can be intimidating.
“It’s obviously a huge opportunity to fast track the impact that we can have,” Adams said. “High pressure, a privileged moment to step on the field against some of these guys. We respect them.
“And when you get a result in a game like this, you know, people start to respect Americans a little bit more.”


To achieve its football goals, scandal-hit China can learn from Japan

Chinese superfan books into Lionel Messi’s hotel for glimpse of hero in Beijing

Sport and politics should be kept as far apart as possible

Meet Sam Li Sirong, China’s 19-year-old fashionista football star who features in Louis Vuitton’s Archlight Sneaker 2.0 campaign with Jaden Smith and models for Hublot when he’s not on the field

Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup 2022: ‘underdogs’ USA look to win some respect against favourites England

USA’s players celebrate their opening goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup group B match against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha. Photo: AFP

Tyler Adams (left) and Cameron Carter-Vickers, both of the United States, in their final training session before their Group B match against England. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo makes history, as Portugal beat Ghana 3-2

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the ball before a penalty kick during the Group H match between Portugal and Ghana in Doha on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Ghana’s Thomas Partey is seen in action with Portugal’s Raphael Guerreiro during their Group H match in Doha on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Fifa World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi on the brink as Argentina look to salvage tournament

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts disappointed during the World Cup Group C opener against Saudi Arabia. Photo: AP

Lionel Messi leaves the pitch as Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Burayk (left) and teammate Abdulelha al-Malki celebrate. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2022: Neymar injured, Richarlison dazzles as Brazil beat Serbia 2-0

Brazil’s Neymar grabs his ankle after an injury during the World Cup group G match against Serbia at the the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Photo: AP

Brazil’s Neymar lies on the ground injured during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G soccer match against Serbia at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday. Photo: dpa

Brazil’s Richarlison scores the second goal for his team against Serbia during the World Cup Group G match in Qatar on Thursday. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2022: Chinese fans show support as Weibo influencer cries after Japan upset – ‘why can’t we win?’

Weibo influencer ‘Goat’ cries during Japan’s World Cup win over Germany. Photo: Weibo

Japan’s players celebrate their win over Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Photo: Kyodo

People gather in Tokyo’s Shibuya area in the early hours to celebrate Japan’s 2-1 victory over Germany. Photo: Kyodo

Fans celebrate Japan’s 2-1 victory over Germany in their World Cup group E match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Kyodo

Fifa World Cup 2022: Japan fans tidy stadium and players leave ‘thank you’ note after beating Germany

Japanese supporters clean up litter at Khalifa International Stadium after Japan’s win over Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Photo: Kyodo

Fans celebrate Japan’s 2-1 victory over Germany in a World Cup Group E football match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 23, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sport

Football


Despite favourable record against England, US struggle against European teams at the World Cup, winning just 1 of last 19 games
‘People would probably say we’re the underdogs,’ US captain Tyler Adams says – ‘but we carry that with pride’



Captain Tyler Adams says United States won’t be intimidated when they take on one of Qatar 2022 favourites on Friday night.
