Just two seconds and a few feet from Welsh star Gareth Bale could have changed the entire trajectory of the US team’s experience at the 2022 World Cup. idea.
It was the 80th minute and the United States held a 1-0 lead. His three crucial points in the group opener were within their reach. When the ball was cut back over the penalty box, US centre-back Walker Zimmerman lunged forward to remove the ball from danger. The 29-year-old Nashville SC defender saw a clear pass to the ball. But the veil lurked behind him.
Bale had the lowest 30 touches of any Welsh starter on the night, but the world-class player finds a way to change the game with that difference. At this time, the key was Bale’s skillful movement. Two seconds after the ball was played, Bale covered a few yards of space between him and Zimmermann, thrusting his left foot and left shoulder in front of the defender.Zimmermann is a five-time Champions League winner. passed behind the It was a mistake and an easy penalty on his call that put him at his feet.
Bale was brought down by Zimmermann for a penalty (Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Bale closed out the night with just two touches in the box. As such, his USMNT’s pass through Group B became substantially more difficult.
At the worst possible time, one of America’s most reliable players made a mistake. Zimmerman was the only U.S. outfielder not to participate in his first three qualifiers last September.
Burhalter initially did not call him in the October window of World Cup qualifiers, but he was later summoned after Tim Ream and John Brooks withdrew from camp. Zimmermann proved he was ready for the national team when he started against Jamaica in October.
He was a reliable choice when injuries to Miles Robinson and Chris Richards destabilized the centre-back position. Zimmermann, who entered the roster selection for the tournament as Burhalter considered his five or he six options, was one of his centre-backs to secure a spot on the Qatar-bound flight through consistent play. .
But on the biggest stage, the stalwart-turned-player fainted a bit in an instant. It was an instinct to take his feet off for clearance, he said. By the time he saw the veil, it was too late.
The USA will be looking for a comfortable result as they face group favorites England on Friday. A win or draw will provide a clear path to advancing to the Group Stage.If Lost, US Needs to Beat Iran in Finale When Help from the rest of their group.
This is how life goes in the World Cup. The difference between success and failure can be determined in a fraction of a second in three games.
reaction
“We talked about it before the game. Every play counts,” said US coach Greg Verhalter. “World Cup. You have to be focused. Every play can have potential consequences in the game. What we are playing is high level. Good high intensity. And , this particular play was a bit unlucky for Walker, he had a lot of good challenges, which is a little bit unlucky.
“We keep our feet in the penalty area, but whenever we do, we have to be 100 per cent,” Turner said. A great defender this time, but he made a mistake. I’ll do my best to fix them and make them play less badly, but unfortunately I couldn’t. “
Zimmerman’s thoughts on the matter were simple. “I wish I could have seen him out of the corner of my eye.
“Sometimes you have to shrug your shoulders. can do.”
But Wales manager Rob Page didn’t leave his side’s equalizer to luck or Zimmerman’s vision. He acknowledged Vail’s ability to put himself in the right place.
“(Bale) is very good at finding space. “He used all his wisdom there.”
Before tackle
After bringing in Kiefer Moore to replace Dan James, it would be unfair to treat Zimmerman’s tackle as the only vulnerable moment that Wales would have been better off playing in the second half. A top target, going more directly and causing all sorts of problems for the US team that dominated the first half.
The USA spent most of the first 45 minutes with the ball and their opponents at half-time (66.1% possession at half-time), but it was Wales who were the main threat in the second half. Yet the United States at least seemed to be coping with that pressure and doing well enough. Turner was called upon to save a Ben Davis header in the 64th minute, and Moore should have had a header shortly afterwards, but other than that, the threat was relatively contained.
Even the penalty didn’t come without some controversy. The USA team was adamant that the ball went out of play near the corner flag in the 80th minute before Brennan Johnson played it. , started a sequence that led to a penalty.
Defender Anthony Robinson, who put pressure on Johnson, said, “Unless the replay showed otherwise, it was blatantly out of place.” “So it’s really disappointing. Basically, I kept saying to the linesman, ‘You cost us the game.’ it should be a win. And there’s nothing they can do, it’s a new stage in play and VAR can’t do anything at that point. Honestly the refereeing was terrible the whole game and I hope they improve in the tournament. “
Berhalter also worked on the play.
“There’s a throw-in before (the penalty),” he said. “I was looking down the sidelines and was pretty sure the ball was out of play. I can afford it. I’m really surprised it wasn’t called.”
one more tackle
In the final moments of the game, Kellyn Acosta may have saved Turner and the United States from a devastating loss. The goalie came out of the box and put away the long ball. Returning to an empty net, Bale appeared to line up a shot from just behind the midfield that would have given Wales the win, but before he could hit the ball, Bale’s LAFC threw his Teammate Acosta fouled him and picked up the yellow.
“It’s a big foul,” Zimmerman said. “It’s professional.”
This foul by Kellyn Acosta is the greatest tactical foul + yellow card of all time. Bale had a shot and Turner was 25 yards from goal in his 99th minute. pic.twitter.com/RF1Kt34NqH
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) November 22, 2022
One tackle that won the USA and one that kept them from losing – the fine line in a World Cup.
It was a disappointing result for the United States in their first return to the world stage since losing to Belgium in the Round of 16 in 2014.
Eight and a half years ago, Tim Weah was 14 and playing for the Red Bulls Academy in New York. Pulisic was 15 years old and he was a month away from moving with his family to Germany to start his professional career.
Both had dreams of playing in the World Cup. The son of former FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah, Weah was desperate for a chance to reach a stage his famous father had never played before.
Pulisic’s waiting period lasted four years longer than he expected. Five years ago, in a flooded field in Couba, Trinidad, fate was delayed. On Monday night in Doha, more than 6,500 miles from where they grew up, the two combined goals that could give the United States an important three points.
Unfortunately, another player making his World Cup debut would turn the story upside down.In 2014, Bale was no kid. He was sold for a record €100 million transfer fee. But he, too, has been waiting for this moment for a long time — an opportunity to put his name in the book at the World Cup.
(Top photo by ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
