Despite being England’s primary attacker, Harry Kane’s potential absence from their 2nd World Cup game against the United States may not have been as serious as it once might be.
Following a convincing victory in their opening 2022 World Cup match, England will try to increase their chances of taking first place in Group B when they face the USA.
After noteworthy highs of achieving the Euro 2020 final and the World Cup semi-finals 4 years ago, enthusiasm surrounding Gareth Southgate’s team had diminished going to Qatar after quite a frustrating winless UEFA Nations League.
The Three Lions, on the other hand, roared to their biggest-ever win in the opening game of a major international tournament, a 6-2 victory over Iran, as the nation’s hopes were bolstered in a decisive manner.
In a commanding first-half performance, Bukayo Saka managed to score either side of goals from Bellingham and Sterling, before replacements Rashford and Grealish added goals after the break.
Despite his team’s play in a match that showcased approximately 30 minutes of extra time over the course of both halves, Southgate lost his cool after Iran’s Mehdi Taremi did score 2 consolation goals. In fact, the England manager has prompted his team to narrow their focus ahead of Friday’s match against the USA, who will be playing at full strength.
For the 4th time, England will play the USA with the goal of winning their first 2 World Cup group games. This will follow their victory over Iran, where they earned all three points. Southgate and co. defeated Panama in their second World Cup match, cruising to a 6-1 victory. Panama was eliminated from the tournament after finishing second to the United States in CONCACAF qualifying.
England has defeated the United States 8 times in all competitions, scoring 39 goals in total. On Friday, they will try to make it nine in an effort to accelerate into the next round.
After being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup, the USA started their World Cup qualifying campaign in Qatar on Monday with a 1-1 draw against Wales. Prior to a certain Los Angeles FC star’s goal, the USA were ahead of the game.
Timothy Weah managed to give USA a well-deserved lead 9 minutes before halftime. However, Wales improved their performance in the 2nd half as Berhalter’s squad lacked motivation. After Walker Zimmerman clumsily pinned down the LAFC forward inside the box in the 82nd minute, Wales’ star player, Gareth Bale, scored a crucial equaliser from the spot.
Although Berhalter, 49, who briefly played for Crystal Palace, has since faced criticism in his native country, he feels his team left everything out there and is still optimistic about making it to the knockout stages.
Both of the USA’s previous World Cup finals saw them advance from the group stage; in 2014, they came in second place behind Portugal and won in 2010, ahead of England. In fact, a memorable 1-1 draw in their most recent match against the Three Lions—during which Robert Green mishandled a Clint Dempsey goal—helped the Americans finish ahead of Fabio Capello’s team on goal differential.
USA enter Friday’s match undefeated in their two previous World Cup encounters with England, along with a shocking 1-0 group-stage victory back in 1950.
England Team News
Harry Kane, the captain of England, underwent an ankle scan on Wednesday, and it was discovered that he had not suffered a serious injury. The 29-year-old has now trained with the England 1st team and is expected to maintain his starting spot up front.
Considering that Harry Maguire has recovered from his illness, he is expected to keep his spot in the back four along with Kieran Trippier, John Stones, and Luke Shaw. Southgate may choose to start with the same lineup that played against Iran.
After recovering from groyne surgery, Kyle Walker declared himself fit to play against the USA and participated in training. However, the Manchester City defender is unlikely to start and is more likely to come off the bench to improve his match fitness.
Maddison is still in doubt for Friday’s game because he hasn’t trained with fist team due to a knee injury. Instead of Maddison, Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Mount are all anticipated to start in centre midfield.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, Sterling; Harry Kane
Player to watch
Bukayo Saka
The two goals Saka scored against Iran, along with Jude Bellingham’s first goal, made this the first time England had two players under the age of 21 score in the same World Cup game. Saka or Bellingham would become the youngest player from England to score in back-to-back finals matches if they each scored once more. Saka appeared to be capable of increasing his total.
USA Team News
Due to corresponding groin area and toe injuries, USA midfielders McKennie and Musah were forced off the ground during the tie with Wales, but they ought to be able to maintain their places in the starting eleven along with captain Tyler Adams.
Adams is one of eight club-level British players in Berhalter’s team, and the Leeds United player is expected to start front of a back four that includes Tim Ream and Robinson of Fulham.
The front three of Weah, Sargent, and Pulisic are expected to stay together, but Reyna of will be attempting to make up ground after his ineffective substitution last time out.
Both Leeds’ Brendan Aaronson and Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers were listed as reserves for the match against Wales, with the former player making an appearance in the second half. Both players are anticipated to start as replacements once more on Friday.
USA possible starting lineup:
Turner; Sergino Dest, Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Weah, Sargent, Christian Pulisic
Player to watch
Timothy Weah
Timothy Weah, the son of George Weah, participated in the World Cup for the first time and scored against Wales. He now has two goals in four international games, which is more than in his first 22 games for the United States. Weah Jr. will attempt to join Clint Dempsey and Bert Patenaude as the only other American players to score in the opening two games of a World Cup campaign.
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE ON TWITTER
READ MORE;
Netherlands Vs Ecuador : Match preview, team news and possible lineups