Inter Miami defender and ex-England international Kieran Gibbs warns Gareth Southgate ‘exciting’ USA will play with ‘speed and power’ in the World Cup clash and praises Gregg Berhalter’s ‘high energy’ in midfield
Inter Miami defender and former England international Kieran Gibbs believes his adopted country will give Gareth Southgate‘s side a difficult game in the World Cup in Qatar on Friday.
Ex-Arsenal man Gibbs, 33, won 10 caps for England but after playing Major League Soccer for the last two seasons, is better placed than most to warn Gareth Southgate what is in store.
The left-back has been impressed with what he has seen of Gregg Berhalter’s team so far.
Inter Miami defender Kieran Gibbs thinks England will have a tough time vs USA in Qatar
Gibbs, who won 10 caps for England, is now playing his club football in MLS with Inter Miami
‘They’re an exciting team, the US. They have a lot of speed, a lot of power,’ Gibbs told MLS.com.
‘I was especially impressed with the middle of the park for USA against Wales.
‘Most games are won in that area of the pitch and when you have teams with high energy that like to press and like to be aggressive, that becomes a tricky game for you.
‘I also think the US will play with a bit more freedom than a lot of teams in the World Cup because they’re not expected to be world-beaters, as you say, and they’re young.
‘That creates players who are out there with a lot of freedom, and a lot of times that works in your favor. Then you play without that added pressure and can just go out and express yourself.’
Back in England, left-back Gibbs played for a number of teams – most notably Arsenal
England is favorite to win on Friday and opened its World Cup campaign with a 6-2 win over Iran shortly before USA tied with Wales.
Timothy Weah opened the scoring for USMNT but LAFC striker Gareth Bale equalized with a late penalty.
USA will conclude its group with a game against Iran on Tuesday while Gibbs’ old team England meet British rival Wales.
