During Tuesday’s important 1-0 World Cup victory over Iran, United States captain Tyler Adams praised his team’s cohesion, and defender Tim Ream praised the captain’s influence.
At Al Thumama Stadium, Christian Pulisic scored the game-winning goal for the USA just before halftime, advancing them to the round of 16.
Due to the two countries’ tense relationship, geopolitical issues dominated the build-up to the match. This was their first World Cup meeting since a match in France in 1998 that was labeled the “most politically charged game” in tournament history.
Iran won the match 2-1 in Lyon, but this time, the USA crossed the finish line first. Gregg Berhalter’s team was significantly less effective after Pulisic was forced to leave the game at halftime due to a pelvic contusion that will be treated “day-to-day,” despite how much better they had been in the first half.
UPDATE: #USMNT forward Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/abZcjU6tco
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
Iran increased its pressure at the finish and twice in stoppage time came very close to winning, but the USA held out to schedule a match with the Netherlands.
Their development highlights how far the USA have come in recent years given that they did not even make it to the last World Cup, and Adams’ remarks captured the positive energy surrounding the team.
“For me, I have obviously dreamed of playing in a World Cup, and I didn’t know when that time would come,” he told reporters. “Obviously that has come now. I am very proud to be representing the US and this team.
“The group we have in this locker room is superb, every day we show up and try and get better, and focus on getting better.
“Tonight was one of those nights where you knew you could look to your left and look to your right and there was someone battling for you.”
The USA have only ever been beyond the last 16 at a men’s World Cup once in its current format, back in 2002 when a Landon Donovan-inspired side reached the quarter-finals.
Standing in the way of matching that accomplishment are the Netherlands, and the size of the task facing the USA is not lost on Adams, who rates the Oranje among the best in Qatar.
“Obviously it is a big opportunity for us; an amazing game,” he said. “We have obviously played against good teams here already like England; the Netherlands could be another favourite to win the World Cup and they have done really well to navigate their way through the tournament so far.
“They’ve some amazing players, we are going to have to be ready. For now, we will try to have some downtime and relax to regain our focus. Our coaches will obviously come up with a game plan to get us ready.”
Adams’ performance was vital to the USA prevailing, with the Leeds United midfielder’s poise key to their first-half control and his tenacity important in disrupting an improved Iran after the break.
WE MOVE. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7dhsnKwdQT
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
His 84 touches, 62 completed passes and 12 recoveries were all highs for the match, while Adams also tallied the second-most tackle attempts (three) on the USA team, successfully taking back possession on each occasion.
Ream, playing behind Adams at centre-back, saw his captain’s performance at close quarters and was grateful for his protection.
“[Adams] makes everyone’s job a little bit easier. The amount of ground he covers, his energy, tenacity, work rate; it’s just incredible what he does on a football pitch.
“As he grows the team grows, you could see that. It’s a pleasure to play behind him.”
Of course, it was not the first time this week Adams has been under the spotlight.
He faced up to some awkward questions in Monday’s pre-match press conference, with an Iranian journalist calling him out over his pronunciation of Iran.
Suffice to say, Ream joined the chorus of praise for how Adams handled that particular situation.
“I thought it was brilliant,” Ream said. “It is what it is, that’s the world we’re living in right now.
“For him to handle it with the poise that he did, and the sincerity that he showed, I think was fantastic.”