Yedlin, Zimmerman praise embattled US coach Berhalter
Yedlin and Zimmerman said they understand there could be uncertainty about the team's leadership structure for a while. He's a great coach and I've really enjoyed working with him.”The U.S. Soccer Federation said last week it learned of the allegation against Berhalter on Dec. 11 and hired the law firm Alston & Bird to investigate. Berhalter has said he would like to coach the national team through the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will cohost. “You go to any World Cup and you'd ask the host country if it would be a unique opportunity to win and of course it would,” he said. It's an unbelievable group of players.”Defender Miles Robinson looks forward to being part of the roster after missing last year's World Cup while recovering from a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
wftv.comYedlin, Zimmerman praise embattled US coach Berhalter
National team defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman have praised U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter for bringing the Americans together at the World Cup even as he’s currently under investigation by U.S. Soccer for a 1991 incident during which he kicked his now wife.
Should USMNT retain Gregg Berhalter as coach? After World Cup exit, another question might be more pressing
So I asked him that day, with the World Cup still months away: Did he like this side of the job? The masses are wondering, after a World Cup Round of 16 exit: Will U.S. Soccer bring Berhalter back for another four years? At the end of them is a World Cup on home soil. But throughout those four years, until the World Cup, there is relatively little of consequence. “For the last month, month and a half, I've just been only focused on the World Cup,” Berhalter said Saturday night with disappointment still fresh.
wftv.comChristian Pulisic called his World Cup shot, and USMNT devised the 'exact play' to make it happen
DOHA, Qatar — Twenty four hours before the goal that sent the U.S. to the World Cup Round of 16, Christian Pulisic called his shot. He buzzed and limbered around the USMNT’s training pitch here in Qatar on Monday, under the lights at Al-Gharafa. “I can feel myself getting a goal tomorrow,” he said, according to Yedlin. “I mean, you could tell, he's been ready to go since the last game,” Yedlin said. Pulisic, still wearing his USMNT training top, had been transported to a nearby hospital.
wftv.com'So sick, dude': USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter's bounce passes, explained
DOHA, Qatar — Sean Johnson was into Year 4 as a player under coach Gregg Berhalter when he started wondering about the bounce passes. Whenever a stray ball would trickle out of play and into the vicinity of the USMNT coach, he’d delight fans with an aggressively sharp bounce pass, and sometimes even a behind-the-back pass, to one of his players. The bounce, as he told Johnson, allows the ball to arrive at the player traveling upward, right into a natural overhead throwing motion. “If you want to get detailed about it, I guess.”But the bounce pass has also become a living, breathing phenomenon of its own. (Berhalter is, after all, an avid pickup basketball player; he’s been known to hop into drills at training; he might just want a bit of action.)
wftv.comBale salvages 1-1 draw for Wales against US in World Cup
AL RAYYAN, Qatar — (AP) — Gareth Bale converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute to offset Tim Weah's first-half goal and give Wales a 1-1 draw Monday in the return to the World Cup for both nations. Back in the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament, the United States appeared headed to victory. Bale put his kick to the left of goalkeeper Matt Turner’s outstretched arm for his 41st goal in 109 international appearances, salvaging a point for Wales in its first World Cup match since 1958. DeAndre Yedlin, who entered in the 74th minute, was the only American player with previous World Cup experience. ___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comWorld Cup Viewer's Guide: USA ready to play, injuries abound
The money haul is $1 billion more than income from the previous commercial cycle of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. WHAT'S NEXTThe United States returns to the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament in Russia and opens play on Monday against Gareth Bale-led Wales. Three of the Americans — Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Yusuf Musah — were only 11 years old the last time the national team played a World Cup match. Read up on all 32 teams who will be playing in the World Cup. ___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comPepi, Steffen left off US World Cup roster, Ream, Wright on
Then just over a dozen were dealt the devastation of missing the cut, Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen among them. Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Joe Scally and Sean Johnson made it. Norwich's Josh Sargent and Antalyspor's Wright beat out Pepi, the 19-year-old whose three goals in qualifying were second behind Christian Pulisic's five. "He’s playing in the best league in the world and he's playing at a very high level,” Berhalter said. Berhalter, the first former U.S. player to coach the Americans at a World Cup, reminded those who fell short of how he was left off the roster in 2006.
wftv.comReam, Wright make US Cup roster, Steffen, Arriola cut
NEW YORK — (AP) — Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Joe Scally and Sean Johnson made the United States’ World Cup roster, while Zack Steffen, Paul Arriola, Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi were among those cut. Yedlin, Christian Pulisic, Kellyn Acosta and Ream are remaining players from the infamous loss at Trinidad that prevented the Americans from reaching the 2018 tournament. Ream captains Fulham in England’s Premier League and has gone a full 90 minutes in 14 of 15 matches this season. Carter-Vickers, Johnson, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, Scally and Wright did not appear in any of the 14 qualifiers. Jesús Ferreira, Josh Sargent and Wright are the three forwards, a position that provided just four of the Americans’ 21 goals in qualifying.
wftv.comInter Miami wins 3-2, says DC United player used racial slur
WASHINGTON — (AP) — Major League Soccer said it will look into a claim that D.C. United player Taxi Fountas used a racial slur against Inter Miami defender Damion Lowe during the second half of the team's match on Sunday night. A word was used, I think, the worst word in the world. Inter Miami players gathered and after a period of conversation that lasted several minutes, Neville spoke with Wayne Rooney, his D.C. United counterpart. He said Fountas used the slur as Lowe was walking away from their dust-up. Miami next plays on Friday against Toronto on the road, and United will visit CF Montreal on Saturday.
wftv.comMLS will investigate allegations that D.C. United's Taxi Fountas called Inter Miami player the N-word
Inter Miami players and head coach Phil Neville alleged Sunday that D.C. United forward Taxi Fountas directed a racial slur at one of their players during an MLS game between the two teams. It is the worst word in the world.”Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin said that, after a confrontation between Fountas and Miami defender Damion Lowe, Fountas "called him the N-word." (Fountas, a Greek star who joined D.C. United earlier this year, is white. A few second later, Lowe appeared to be explaining to other D.C. United players that Fountas had called him a "n*****." Inter Miami players would not continue with the game until something was done with Fountas.
wftv.comUS to open World Cup vs Wales, held to 0-0 draw by Uruguay
“It's full steam ahead, concentrating on Wales," U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said after Sunday's 0-0 draw against Uruguay in a prep match. “The whole world was probably behind Ukraine and wanting them to go to the World Cup." Jesús Ferreira failed to convert a pair of first-half chances as U.S. forwards kept up their goal-scoring struggles in their second of four World Cup warmup matches this month. American forwards have one goal in the team's last 13 matches — by Ferreira in a 5-1 rout of Panama in a World Cup qualifier on March 27. The U.S. plays 170th-ranked Grenada on Friday at Austin, Texas, in its World Cup sendoff, the first of two CONCACAF Nations League matches, then is at No.
wftv.comPepi, Acosta, Weah, Yedlin start for US at Costa Rica
Costa Rica US Wcup Soccer View of the National stadium at sunset ahead of a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Costa Rica and United States, in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — (AP) — Ricardo Pepi, Kellyn Acosta, Tim Weah and DeAndre Yedlin returned to the starting lineup as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes for Wednesday night’s final World Cup qualifier at Costa Rica. With the U.S. in position to clinch a World Cup return as long as the Americans did not lose by six goals or more, Berhalter replaced Jesús Ferreira with Pepi and Luca de La Torre with Acosta. Pulisic, Yedlin and Acosta were the only holdovers from the 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10, 2017 that ended the Americans' streak of seven straight World Cup appearances. Costa Rica was fourth with 22.
wftv.comClose to reaching World Cup, US looks to avoid last-day flop
“The guys have told us, that have been here and through this path before, that we thought we qualified last World Cup," midfielder Tyler Adams said Wednesday. Because the Americans have a plus-13 goal difference and Costa Rica is at plus-three, the U.S. could be denied only by a defeat of at least six goals. “The media has classified us as the golden generation and the generation that’s going to qualify for the next World Cup,” 22-year-old winger Tim Weah said. "We’re coming here to be aggressive in the game and to win the soccer game. and Berhalter planned to contact those not in Costa Rica to congratulate them.
wftv.comFerreira, Arriola among 4 changes to US lineup vs Panama
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Forward Jesús Ferreira, winger Paul Arriola, midfielder Luca de la Torre and right back Shaq Moore entered the United States' starting lineup for Sunday night's World Cup qualifier against Panama as coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes. Moore, summoned from Spain on short notice, replaced DeAndre Yedlin and Arriola took over from Tim Weah. Yedlin and Arriola served one-game suspensions after getting their second yellow cards of qualifying during Thursday night's 0-0 draw at Mexico. De la Torre replaced Kellyn Acosta and Ferreira entered in place of Ricardo Pepi, with Berhalter looking for goals from crosses. Adams, Miles Robinson, Steffen and Jordan Pefok entered with yellow cards and with another yellow would be suspended for Wednesday’s finale at Costa Rica.
wftv.comUS gains 0-0 draw at Mexico, in strong position to qualify
Christian Pulisic had the best U.S. chances but was twice denied by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Zack Steffen got the start over Ethan Hovath and came away with his second shutout against Mexico in qualifying. The draw, the third straight in qualifying for the U.S. in the thin air of 7,200-foot elevation Azteca, was costly. The U.S. maintained second place in North and Central America and the Caribbean with 22 points, four behind Canada, and ahead of Mexico on goal difference. Yedlin received his second yellow for an unecessary slide tackle in midfield in the 26th minute, leaving the U.S. short at right back for Sunday.
wftv.comMorris, Weah, Dest, Zardes on US roster for WCup qualifiers
NEW YORK — (AP) — Jordan Morris, Tim Weah, Sergiño Dest and Gyasi Zardes returned from injuries to make the U.S. roster ahead of the next three World Cup qualifiers, while Gio Reyna, Gianluca Busio and Aaron Long missed out. Twenty-three players were on the roster for November’s home win over Mexico and road draw at Jamaica. Weah recovered from a quadriceps injury to enter in the 68th minute for Lille on Tuesday in his first action since Dec. 1. Defender DeAndre Yedlin played his first match for Galatasaray since Dec. 18 on Wednesday. Germany), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, England), Tim Weah (Lille, France), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus)___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comMiles Robinson, Zimmerman paired in defense for US vs Mexico
CINCINNATI — (AP) — Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman were paired in central defense in front of goalkeeper Zack Steffen for the United States’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Friday night. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed just two starters from last month’s 2-1 win over Costa Rica, inserting DeAndre Yedlin at right back for injured Sergiño Dest and Zimmerman for Chris Richards. The American front six remained unchanged, with Tyler Adams in defensive midfield, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah in advanced midfield, Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson on the wings and Ricardo Pepi up front. Eight U.S. starters are 24 and younger, all but Steffen, Yedlin and Zimmerman. Miles Robinson was the only holdover from the CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Las Vegas on Aug. 1, when he scored in the 117th minute for a 1-0 victory.
wftv.comRobinson, Pepi, US flip WCup qualifier, beat Honduras 4-1
Antonee Robinson and Ricardo Pepi scored their first international goals after a halftime change in formation, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget added late goals and the United States revived its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-1 win over Honduras.
9 US starters get World Cup qualifying debuts at El Salvador
El Salvador US Wcup Soccer An El Salvador fan cheers prior a qualifying soccer match against United States for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — (AP) — Nine U.S. starters were set to make their World Cup qualifying debuts against El Salvador on Thursday night, matching the most since 1996. Yedlin was the only player left over from the starting lineup in the October 2017 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the Americans' streak of seven World Cup appearances. 64 El Salvador is seeking its first World Cup appearance since 1982. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comJet setters: US starts grueling stretch Sunday at Swiss
Germany Soccer Bundesliga Mainz's Moussa Niakhate, left, vies for the ball with Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) (Michael Probst)American soccer players will be piling up air miles -- all in preparation for unprecedented travel. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter designed the schedule to prepare players for the grueling compacted World Cup qualifying schedule that starts in September, which has three matches crammed into FIFA match windows designed for two. That will be followed by a home game on Sept. 5, probably against Canada, and a road match on Sept. 8 at Honduras. Aaronson won the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup, Steffen became the first American to win a Premier League medal and also won the League Cup.
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