On Monday, November 21, the United States' men's national soccer team plays Wales to open their World Cup 2022 campaign.
At 10 p.m. local time in Qatar, the game will take place after the Group B debut between England and Iran earlier in the day. That corresponds to 2 p.m. Eastern Time (EST), 1 p.m. Central Time (CST), and 11 a.m. Pacific Time for viewers in the US (PST).
Here are five crucial details about the game and a preview for how the match will end.
Both teams are likely targeting the second position in group
At the 2022 World Cup, Group B is the most competitive, based on FIFA's world rankings. Of the eight groups, it is the only one in which all four teams are regarded as among the top 20 in the world. Prior to the USMNT, England is the group's favorite to win, but Wales and Iran are competent teams that shouldn't be neglected.
A second-place finish would result in a Round of 16 match against Group A's champions (expected to be Netherlands). This youthful and talented USMNT might win the World Cup this year, of various reasons. However, the United States and Wales will be optimistic about at least making it out of the group stage, and both teams have something to show at these championships. Wales will be in the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years if everything goes right. While the USMNT placed fifth in their group, behind Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras, they were unable to advance to the 2018 tournament.
Wales will need to be dismantled by the USMNT.
These teams play in quite different ways. The USMNT like to maintain control of the ball while steadily making an effort to open up space, particularly down the flanks. However, the team's absence of a free-scoring striker is one of its biggest weaknesses, making scoring goals a challenge.
Wales will undoubtedly appreciate the USMNT dominating possession. Rob Page, the team's manager, prefers a counterattacking approach for his squad and enjoys absorbing pressure before surprising opponents. Dan James of Fulham and Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest are direct forwards with the speed to hurt defenses during counterattacks in the English Premier League. The six-foot-five-inch striker Kieffer Moore, who poses a set-piece threat for the USMNT, will also require attention from the defense.
USA possible starting lineup:
Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Aaronson; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic
Wales possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; C Roberts, Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies, N Williams; Allen, Ramsey; Bale, Moore, James
Players to Watch
USA: Giovanni Reyna
With an average age of 25 years and 215 days, the USA's team in Qatar is the second-youngest (as of the opening day of the tournament).
Reyna, an attacker for Borussia Dortmund, is one of the most promising young players hoping to improve on his four goals from his first 14 senior games and have an effect at his debut World Cup.
Reyna, whose 20th birthday was just last month, would join his father Claudio as the 14th player in USA history to have earned 15 caps before turning 21.
He will likely roam about the field in the American offence, but when he is on the right, watch for him to use his imagination to combine with Sergio Dest of AC Milan to advance the ball. During CONCACAF qualifiers, the USMNT's main attack originated from there:
Wales: Gareth Bale
At least one of Bale or Aaron Ramsey scored or assisted nine of Wales' 13 goals in their last two big competitions, Euro 2016 and 2020.
Although Bale didn't get much playing time during the last year, it didn't matter when he scored all three goals for Wales in their play-off victories against Austria and Ukraine.
The 33-year-old, who recently helped Los Angeles FC win the MLS Cup, has said he is well enough to participate fully in each of the Dragons' games in Qatar.
Prediction of Match
In terms of FIFA rankings, there isn't much separation between the teams, and our supercomputer prediction model reflects that.
With 33 World Cup games under their belt, the USA have a 39.5% probability of winning all three points, compared to Wales' 31.2%.
This match, which will definitely be important in determining which of these teams will succeed in reaching the knockout rounds, has a 29.3% chance of ending in a draw, according to the prediction model.
Watch USA Vs. Wales World Cup 2022 Live now
USA Vs. Wales World Cup 2022 Score
We say: USA 1-1 Wales
Since England is the group's favorite, the race for second place in the group may be very tight, and neither team can afford to drop this crucial first match.
One brilliant idea might make the difference in the outcome since both sides have grown dependent on a small number of key persons to accomplish their objectives.