The United States was held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia in Murcia, Spain, on Tuesday in its ultimate warm-up sport forward of the beginning of the World Cup in November.
The consequence completes a disappointing ultimate buildup to the event in Qatar for Gregg Berhalter’s facet, having misplaced 2-0 to Japan on Friday.
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Following that loss, Berhalter introduced Christian Pulisic into the lineup, together with Ricardo Pepi, DeAndre Yedlin and Kellyn Acosta.
However the U.S. suffered an early blow when Gio Reyna was taken off after simply half-hour, with what U.S. Soccer later mentioned was a precaution after he skilled muscle tightness.
The U.S. had proven constructive indicators within the early going with some neat linkup play between the likes of Pulisic, Pepi, Reyna and Weston McKennie benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s excessive line of defense.
But it surely was restricted to efforts from distance, one of the best of which noticed Tyler Adams drill a shot simply extensive from 25 yards. And because the half wore on the U.S. turned more and more predictable and ineffective with the ball.
It was Saudi Arabia, ranked 53rd within the FIFA rankings, that got here closest to opening the scoring within the first 45 minutes. A final-ditch block from Yedlin and a scramble away from Paul Arriola, on for Reyna, was required to maintain the sport scoreless after a close-range effort from Hattan Bahebri.
The second half did not begin a lot better for the USMNT. Yedlin was pressured off on 59 minutes after receiving a heavy sort out from Saud Abdulhamid. Joe Scally changed Yedlin, with Jesus Ferreira and Mark McKenzie additionally coming into the motion rather than Pepi and Aaron Lengthy.
Ferreira quickly had the Individuals’ greatest probability of the match however might solely shoot straight on the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper after Arriola discovered him within the field.
The ultimate consequence might have been even worse for the U.S. however for Saudi Arabia failing to reap the benefits of some late openings introduced to them by a lower than resolute U.S. backline.
The U.S. will subsequent be in motion when it begins its World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Wales on Nov. 21 earlier than rounding out the group stage with video games in opposition to England and Iran.
