USA captain Tyler Adams DEFENDS under fire coach Gregg Berhalter after Wales World Cup draw – even as fans fume at Gio Reyna being left as a sub- and insists ‘we were still pretty dominant’ despite giving away its lead
Following the United States Men’s National team’s 1-1 draw against Wales, United States National team captain Tyler Adams immediately jumped to his head coach’s defense.
Most fans were livid with the way the United States gave away the lead in the second half of the nation’s opening game of the World Cup, most coach Gregg Berhalter’s decision not to sub in attacking midfielder Gio Reyna, as the USA’s offense stagnated under the increased pressure from Wales.
‘Greg [Berhalter] came up with a very good match plan on how to exploit the spaces,’ Adams said. ‘ We had some good runs in behind.’
DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 21: Tyler Adams of United States applauds fans after the 1-1 draw in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between USA and Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
‘In the second half we changed. We had to adapt to what they were doing.’
Obviously, they bring on a different player and change their game plan to limit our [runs] in behind a bit more.’
‘And yea we failed to execute a little bit, but we were still pretty dominant.’
Gregg Berhalter reacts on the sidelines during USA World Cup opener against Wales
The United States got out to an early lead after Timothy Weah scored the first goal for the Americans, before a penalty from Gareth Bale tied the game at 1-1.
‘Yeah, that’s football in the end,’ Adams said. ‘I’m very proud of this team with the start that we had.’
‘We played with a bunch of confidence today. For a large part of the game, we dominated the game.’
‘So for a lot of us [this] being our first world cup. You can see an ambitious group, fearless group, and we came after it.’
‘But it comes down to the smallest details in a game like this. And a PK in the end but we go away with a point, and we focus on the next game now.
Timothy Weah of the U.S. celebrates scoring the USA’s first goal of the World Cup against Wales
Weah of USA celebrates his goal with his teammates during the FIFA World Cup, group b match between United States and Wales
Even with the increased pressure from a Welsh side playing with their backs against the wall in the second half the United States still were able to maintain enough stability on defense from allowing too many clear-cut scoring opportunities throughout the second half.
The horror tackle from centerback Walker Zimmerman which sent Bale to the penalty spot would prove to be the pivotal moment in the game that cost the United States three points in their return to the World Cup.
‘We had to adapt in certain situations during this game. Obviously after the goal they gained a little bit of momentum, and they were throwing balls in the box, and we had to deal with that.’
‘But in the end, we dealt with it well. We created a match plan we were disciplined in the match plan, and we followed it. We couldn’t execute and get another goal in the end. But we kept levelheaded, and we took a point out of it.’
