Dramatic 1-0 win on Tuesday Iran just the ticket for the United States, as they finished second in Group B after England and thus earned a place in the round of 16. However, next is another unpredictable opponent: Netherlandsthe leader of group A by defeating Senegal and host country Cata in group A
The two will go head-to-head at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday (10am ET) to see who makes it to the quarterfinals, where the winner will take on Argentina or Australia on that side of the rack. Can the US continue this momentum? Or will the Dutchman, led from midfield by the nimble Frenkie De Jong, end that dream?
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ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and ESPN Netherlands’ Bob Ligthart split the game on Saturday.
What worked for the United States at this World Cup? And what didn’t?
If every team at the World Cup was judged on how they played in the first half, then USA will be considered one of the best teams in the tournament.
On a half-time basis, they ranked 5th in chances created (5.3), 10th in xG (0.7) and 6th in goals (0.7). In defence, they conceded nothing and conceded just once in the first half. That was largely thanks to Gregg Berhalter’s tactics and selection of formations, but mostly thanks to his midfield trio. Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie, has attracted praise from all over the world. The US midfield was almost impossible to play throughout from the beginning of the game, even disabling England’s attack Jude Bellingham and Mount Mason in that 0-0 draw.
However, the United States was also significantly worse after halftime of each game. Looking at the same stats as above for the second half, the US ranked 29th in chances (2.3), 30th in xG (0.2) and one of only four teams to not score. The inferior defense wasn’t too steep, as the only goal allowed came from a penalty, but opposing teams had six shots on target in the second half and more than three times their xG.
Part of that is due to the state of the game. Against Wales and Iran, the United States was defending its lead in the second half and adopting a more defensive approach – especially against Iran, when they led by five goals in the 82nd minute (with 10 minutes of injury time). What is more apparent in each match, however, is that when McKennie and Musah start to tire, everything else takes a hit. And different from Walker ZimmermanHe came on in the 82nd minute and was a determined, air-dominant force — not a single substitute making a tangible positive impact. — Bonagura
What worked for the Netherlands at this World Cup? And what didn’t?
If you are asking if the Dutch are meeting expectations, the reality is that they are underperforming. Their group stage matches (vs Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar) are seen as dull and like “football” — contrary to what they often try to present at World Cups, where they aim for fun, attack and football. interesting stone.
The greatest spark of Dutch joy and energy comes from form Cody gakpo. He was Louis van Gaal’s superstar from the group stage. The attacker, who has also been used as an attacking midfielder in Qatar, has scored in all three of his group stage games, making him the fourth Dutch player in history to score three consecutive matches at the World Cup. World Cup after Johan Neeskens (1974), Dennis Bergkamp (1994) and Wesley Sneijder (2010).
Andries NoppertVan Gaal’s choice for goalkeeper turned out to be a smart choice too, with Heerenveen The goalkeeper conceded only one goal. At 6 feet 8, he was the tallest player at the World Cup and played hard against their toughest opponent, Senegal. However, this solid defense also depends on who is playing in front of him: the trio of central defenders of Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Jurrien Wood (or Matthijs de Ligt) is stable and doesn’t have many problems.
The problem that needs to be adjusted most is the midfield, which causes Van Gaal the most headaches in Qatar: only De Jong can be sure of the starting position.
Van Gaal also has a purpose in not rushing to bring players into the team. Memphis Depay, for example, only started in the last match of the group stage because he carried a minor injury while attending the World Cup. Luckily for him and the Dutch fans, the squad feels fit and healthy just in time for the grueling knockout phase. — Ligthart
1:18
Christian Pulisic updates his health ahead of the USMNT round of 16 clash with the Netherlands.
Where will the game gain and lose?
To be fair, neither side consistently created good scoring opportunities. The main difference is that the Netherlands has Gakpo, and the US has really no one who has shown – and not only this World Cup, but also the months before – the ability to consistently shoot difficult opportunities. So not much should change for the United States when it comes to their defensive approach (no goals allowed in open play!) But they need to pay special attention to the PSV star.
I don’t think either team will beat the opposing goal; instead, it will depend on which teams can take advantage of temporary crashes or which individual player(s) can create their own.
That tense, balanced dynamic is why “The Gio’s Missing Case” is such a talkative topic. Only Christian Pulisic – who was last seen leaving the field before heading to the hospital – was taking Gio Reyna’s class when it came to his ability to turn into nothing.
It’s hard to argue that injury isn’t the reason Reyna hasn’t made more of a brief cameo against England, but let’s go ahead and assume he’s available. Why not let him play at number 9? Josh Sargent make a change like a smith against Iran trying to keep the ball, but Reyna can do it as well — if not better — and be more of a threat. Maybe his frustration wasn’t what Berhalter wanted, but haji wright also seem to get lost when it comes to that tutorial. — Bonagura
Both teams have solid defences, so, as Kyle said, the question is who can create those scoring opportunities. The Netherlands used the majority of their squad at this World Cup, especially in midfield, although there were some changes depending on the opponent. Van Gaal tried a more aggressive, attacking midfield and defensive layout. Against a tight U.S. defence, an attacking attitude with creativity in midfield could be the key to success.
Memphis Depay has recovered and is expected to start as one of the two strikers. The question is whether Van Gaal will choose Steven Bergwijn as a second striker and use Gakpo in the attacking midfield position, or use Gakpo in the second striker position like he did with Qatar. If Van Gaal applied the second method, Steven Berghuis and Davy Klaassen can create offensive impulse in midfield, giving De Jong the freedom to be creative and choose his pass.
The fitness of the teams is also an important factor. Van Gaal has previously indicated that his team is fit for the knockout stage, after being able to rest several key players during the match against Qatar. Meanwhile, the US is entering a grueling game against Iran, in which Pulisic limps with a “pelvic injury” – he is getting ready for Saturday every day – and most of the players. America’s best coach Gregg Berhalter worked hard.
The Netherlands must deal with this intelligently and let the opponent tire; that way they can make a difference later in the game if needed. — Ligthart
Guess
USA 1, Netherlands 1: The US takes the lead on penalties. The Dutch have better talent and better history, but at no point in the group stage did they look like a team preparing to go deep. However, the United States is brimming with confidence and has a chance to score an all-time famous victory. — Bonagura
USA 0, Netherlands 2. I think the Netherlands will win the match 2-0. Van Gaal’s side have not played well so far, but have also revealed very little. Gakpo was flying and Memphis returned just in time for the tournament to end. This team is rested and ready. — Ligthart
