United States midfielder Tyler Adams is extra afraid of spiders than he’s of England. Earlier than each groups meet on the World Cup on Friday, Adams revealed what scares him most — and it’s not the prospect of developing in opposition to one of many match favorites.
England beat Iran 6-2 in its opening recreation in Qatar on Monday, whereas the U.S. tied 1-1 with Wales. Adams, who performs within the Premier League with Leeds, accepts Gregg Berhalter’s crew is the underdog however says the sport holds no concern for him.
“England are nonetheless an enormous crew on the finish of the day, however the intimidation issue? I wouldn’t say there’s many issues on the market that intimidate me, apart from spiders,” he mentioned. “So it’s positive for me, however clearly I’ve acquired to play in opposition to all these large gamers, so I’ve executed it earlier than.
“However we additionally need to present what we’re able to and that U.S. soccer is creating and rising in the suitable approach.”
England reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, and made it to the ultimate of final yr’s European Championship however misplaced to Italy in a penalty shootout. The 1966 World Cup champion is among the many groups tipped to problem for the trophy in Qatar and supplied an indication of its power within the rout of Iran. A win for the U.S. could be seen as a significant upset.
“I feel that in numerous video games individuals would in all probability say we’re the underdogs, however we stock that with pleasure,” mentioned Adams. “It doesn’t imply something to us to be underdogs, to be favorites.
“It’s clearly an enormous alternative to quick observe the influence that we are able to have. These are the video games — excessive stress, a privileged second to step on the sector in opposition to a few of these guys. We respect them and there’s in all probability mutual respect between each groups and whenever you get a end in a recreation like this, individuals begin to respect People a bit bit extra.”