USA has golden chance against Wales, but ends with regrets in World Cup opener

AL RAYYAN. Qatar – Not a bad result. Not an outcome that ends the United States’ hopes at this World Cup. This is not a fair representation of a game that the USA dominated. It was not a disaster, but it is not impossible.

But, my goodness, what a kick in the teeth for Gregg Berhalter’s young American squad that it was unable to finish the job against Wales on Monday, a sucker punch that will test every bit of their mettle in the days and games to come.

After Tim Weah’s first-half opener was canceled out by a Gareth Bale penalty — of course, Bale — with eight minutes left, the USA is left locked in a second-place stalemate in Group B ahead of its now-critical clash with England on Friday (2 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App).

[Top plays from USA-Wales 1-1 draw]

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Goalkeeper Matt Turner of the United States clears the ball away with a header during the World Cup, group B soccer match between the United States and Wales, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

It could, and maybe should, have looked a lot rosier than that. This one was starting to look locked, sparking thoughts about a dream start for a group that has no shortage of determination and fire.

This time it wasn’t enough. In Bale is a five-time Champions League champion and a man who was at his peak among the best in the world. His opportunity came when Walker Zimmerman fouled him in the area after a crafty ball from Aaron Ramsey and the resulting spot-kick, lashed into the corner of the net, was every bit as clinical as you would expect.

Earlier, it had been all USA.

When the American goal came, 35 minutes into the opening half, it was fully deserved. Berhalter’s group had dominated completely to that point, scarcely allowing Wales, the 2016 European Championship semifinalist, out of its own half at times.

[World Cup Daily: England now has upper hand in Group B]

Wales had been defensive, but it was through necessity, not choice, more a reaction to its inability to find its stars, Bale and Ramsey, in favorable positions. Such realities require innovation to overcome them. That’s what happened when Josh Sargent, Berhalter’s lead forward, laid the ball off nicely for Christian Pulisic to take in full stride and bear down on the penalty area, a move surely practiced frequently on the training ground.

Pulisic’s beautifully-timed ball sent Weah through on the goal, and the youngster, whose father George was a former World Footballer of the Year but never played a World Cup, was composed in the face of the moment.

Wales’ Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup, group B soccer match between the United States and Wales, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

[Must-read: Tim Weah fulfilling his father’s legacy at World Cup]

A flick with the outside of his right cleat and the ball was past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and into the Welsh net, the first American scorer at a World Cup since Julian Green got a consolation goal in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium in the 2014 round of 16.

Green was barely heard from since, but it was also the time of Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard. Landon Donovan was also controversially dropped from the squad right before the tournament.

A different generation.

This is a new generation, one that hopes to make its presence known to the world.

This is a more stark example of history. The last time Wales beat Wales in a World Cup was before Weah. None other than Brazil legend Pele, in the quarterfinal in 1958.

Perhaps that explains something. This was Wales’ first World Cup since 1996, which creates a level of historical tension that is hard to shake. For most of the evening, the Wales players were in their own heads.

It took less than 10 minutes for the first opportunities to land, Weah giving early indication of his positive intent with a cross that Wales defender Joe Rodon could only head awkwardly at his own goalkeeper. Moments later, an Antonee Robinson cross met Sargent’s head, but his aim was wide.

Berhalter had demanded aggression and intensity, and it was there from the outset. Sometimes it spilled over, as Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest, both injury doubts before the game, were yellow carded within the first 15 minutes.

Given the level of the USA’s first-half superiority, a Wales change was inevitable. Big striker Kieffer Moore was brought on at the interval, a move designed to give Bale more chances to get the ball at his feet. Moore was a new type of challenge for center-halves Tim Ream and Zimmerman, and the Americans no longer had everything all their own way.

At 64 minutes, a Ben Davies header forced USA goalkeeper Matt Turner to make his first meaningful save, a reaction parry in a crowded penalty area. Moore stood tallest in the corner, and was unguarded when he attempted to guide his header over a crossbar.

Slowly, things began to turn. Slowly, things started to change.

American players leave the pitch after the World Cup, group B soccer match between the United States and Wales, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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Eventually, a crack appeared. Bale had been physically with the Americans all evening. Zimmerman was a little too aggressive with a challenge in that area.

Suddenly, it was all square, and so it ended.

Although it was not back to square one, the USA left with much work ahead and much to consider.