Eight years and it all comes down to this. Beat Iran and the United States men’s national team will advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup. A loss or a tie means they will go home and this World Cup cycle will be considered a failure. Soccer is a cruel game. The international version, even more so. But we’re here to soothe your nerves and break it all down. I’m Mike Goodman and welcome to Day 10 of the World Cup. Let’s get to the Golazo Starting XI.
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Tuesday’s slate:
- Ecuador vs. Senegal 10 am ET
- Netherlands vs. Qatar 10 am ET
- USA vs. Iran 2 pm ET
- Wales vs. England 2 pm ET
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⚽ The Forward Line
Bet on USMNT to win … despite problems at striker
CBS Sports Golazo Instagram
For the USMNT, the biggest question remains who will start at striker. Over on the In Soccer We Trust podcast, our former USMNTers Can’t stop debating who is going to play in the number nine role. Josh Sargent and Haji Wright have each started a match, and for Jimmy ConradUS manager Gregg Berhalter should choose a third option to face Iran.
“Do you go with Haji Wright, do you go with Josh Sargent? Or do you go with the player who I think is probably the best at creating his own shot, and that is Jesus Ferrera. At this point, it seems like there might be some method to the madness in terms of their strikers and what they thought and how it’s going to play out.”
Conrad’s points are reasonable, though so are the counterarguments that Charlie Davies and Heath Pearce raise. The striker issue is one that simply isn’t going to go away for the United States. That said, it’s also not going to be crucial to getting past Iran. The brutal truth is that whoever starts up top is going to be the weakest link tin the front six. If the US reaches the knockout stages, it will be because Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams, Weston Mckennie and Yunus Musah found a way. to get break down the door and put some goals past Iran (perhaps with help from some attacking fullbacks as well).
Iran wants to sit deep, absorb pressure with a low block and counterattack. Those tendencies are going to be exacerbated by the fact that a draw will most likely be enough to get Iran out of the group while the Americans need to put a win on the board. This is going to lead to a game where the USMNT can, if they so choose, pin Iran back and pepper them with lots of mediocre shots and corner kicks hoping to eventually force one or two over the line. Given that the striker situation remains so imperfect, that’s probably their best chance. Your best players need to be on the ball and trying to make things happen. Try enough stuff and you can expect that eventually something comes off. That’s the plan no matter who starts up top.
? Midfield Link Play
Group stage play will end with a bang
Before the USMNT find out their fate in Group B, Group A will be done and dusted. The Netherlands are almost certainly through while Senegal and Ecuador have a huge showdown to decide who else gets in. In a tournament with 32 teams, 27 still have their fates undecided as we enter the last group stage match.. France, Brazil and Portugal are through. Qatar and Canada have been eliminated. Everybody else is alive and kicking.
Let’s get to some links:
? The Back Lines
Best bets
Let’s pick some games! All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Iran vs. USA, Tuesday, 2 pm ET
? THE PICK: USA (-102). Emotional hedges are for the weak. Yes, striker remains an issue, and yes, Iran are a very capable team at sitting back and defending. That said, the USMNT should be able to apply pressure with one of their stars eventually beating down the doors. It’s been eight years and it all comes down to this, time to put our money where our mouth is - Iran vs. USA, Tuesday, 2 pm ET
? THE PICK: Anytime goalscorer Weston McKennie (+480). Stars step up. One of McKennie’s best qualities is his ability to find space in the box from midfield. He got on the end of the best chance in the match against England. Against Iran, he’ll be free to be even more aggressive. Iran’s naturally defensive style leaves McKennie with less defensive responsibilities to worry about. And that’s before considering the chances he could have on set pieces if the USMNT applies the kind of heavy pressure they need to.
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