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The US was held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia in Murcia, Spain, on Tuesday in its closing warm-up sport forward of the beginning of the World Cup in November.
The outcome completes a disappointing closing buildup to the event in Qatar for Gregg Berhalter’s aspect, 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 some optimistic indicators within the early going with some neat linkup play between the likes of Pulisic, Pepi, Reyna and Weston McKennie profiting from Saudi Arabia’s excessive defensive position.
But it surely was restricted to efforts from distance, the most effective of which noticed Tyler Adams drill a shot simply huge 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 significantly better for the USMNT. Yedlin was compelled off on 59 minutes after receiving a heavy deal with from Saud Abdulhamid. Joe Scally changed Yedlin, with Jesus Ferreira and Mark McKenzie additionally getting into the motion instead of Pepi and Aaron Lengthy.
Ferreira quickly had the Individuals’ finest probability of the match however may solely shoot straight on the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper after Arriola discovered him within the field.
The ultimate outcome may have been even worse for the U.S. however for Saudi Arabia failing to make the most 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.
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