USMNT is ready for showdown versus England

The time has finally come. It’s Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT versus Gareth Southgate’s England. One of the most anticipated matches of the 2022 World Cup is here. Ever since the World Cup Groups were formed in April, football fans have had November 25 circled on their calendars.

In all-time matchups between these two countries, England is 8-2-1. Their most recent World Cup meeting was on June 12, 2010, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result of USMNTvs England will heavily impact Group B standings

England is the favorite

The UEFA EURO 2020 runner-ups and FIFA’s fifth-overall-ranked team, England started their 2022 World Cup in dominant style. Against Iran on Monday, England cruised to a 6-2 victory courtesy of five different goal scorers. Jude Bellingham put on a midfield masterclass and scored his first-ever World Cup goal, Bukayo Saka scored a brace, and Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish added to a thrashing by the Three Lions.

ENGLAND TAKES THE LEAD

On the biggest stage Jude Bellingham scores his first goal for England ???????? pic.twitter.com/4TOWEHaMmQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 21, 2022

England’s captain Harry Kane suffered an ankle injury during the match but appears fit to play against the USMNT. He sits in second place for most goals all-time by an English footballer. Just two goals behind Wayne Rooney, it’s a pretty safe bet that Kane will be at the top of England’s list when the tournament is finished.

Potential England Starting XI

After their win over Iran, it would be expected for England to stick with the same starting XI:

Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Mount; Saka, Kane, Sterling

United States the Underdog

Dropping two important points in a draw versus Wales, the Three Lions will be much more of a challenge for the USMNT. The young American side will be a tougher test for England, but the international experience that this England side has will be one of their advantages.

Nonetheless, the United States has the second youngest squad in Qatar with an average age of 25.2 years and will be looking to make a statement on the international stage. Giovanna Reyna did not make an appearance during Monday’s match Berhalter mentioned that it was a “coach’s decision” to not play the Borussia Dortmund midfielder against Wales, but he will be available today.

Timothy Weah will be the player to watch on the United States side. Weah scored the USMNT’s first World Cup goal since 2014, thanks to a run from Christian Pulisic. If Weah scores again today, he will become the third-ever United States player to score in the first two matches of the World Cup (Bert Patenaude in 1930, Clint Dempsey in 2014).

THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD ??????

TIM WEAH PUTS USA ON TOP pic.twitter.com/vinlFUxWGZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 21, 2022

The odds appear to be stacked against the USMNT in this match, but as we’ve seen during this tournament already, upsets are a real possibility.

Potential USMNT Starting XI

Facing a much tougher opponent, here is how the United States can line up:

Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; Adams, McKennie; Reyna; Pulisic, Weah, Wright

Group B is heating up

This morning, Iran beat Wales 2-0 after a red card for Wales turned the match upside down. The win for Iran moved them up to second place in the group. This makes things clear for the USMNT; they can play freely against England, no matter the result, knowing their final game against Iran will be a win-and-in situation to make the knockout rounds.