DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The primary time the US confronted England on the World Cup, the swiftly assembled American squad was a ragtag group that included a mailman, a grave digger, a dishwasher and a faculty trainer.Few of the gamers had ever met earlier than they headed to Brazil in 1950 to face powerhouse England, and the 1-0 upset victory by the US is commonly likened to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union on the Lake Placid Olympics as being among the many largest moments in American sports activities historical past.The disparity between the 2 nationwide soccer groups isn’t almost as broad 72 years later as England and the US get set to play Friday in Group B. In truth, United States midfielder Tyler Adams stated he’s extra terrified of spiders than he’s of dealing with England.The People are the underdogs following their 1-1 draw with Wales, whereas England is coming off a 6-2 opening win over Iran.“England are nonetheless an enormous group 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,” stated Adams, who performs for Premier League membership Leeds.“It’s positive for me, however clearly I’ve bought to play in opposition to all these huge gamers, so I’ve carried out it earlier than. However we additionally wish to present what we’re able to and that U.S. soccer is growing and rising in the fitting manner.”However that 1950 victory for the People was a uncommon win in opposition to England, which has received eight of its 11 conferences in opposition to the US. The upside? None of these victories had been World Cup matches and the second assembly between the groups on soccer’s largest stage led to a 1-1 attract 2010.United States midfielder Christian Pulisic doesn’t wish to hear about stats, rankings or predictions. The People didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup and, following the opening draw, are tied with Wales with one level every within the combat to advance to the knockout stage.England leads the group with three factors. A win or draw on Friday would put the People in first rate place to be one of many two groups to advance.“We don’t have a look at the chances and we’re not on the World Cup simply to make up the numbers,” Pulisic stated. “We go, we give it every thing in each recreation we play, we make America proud. Wherever that takes us we now have to attend and see.”Harm concernsA win for England would put the Three Lions into the spherical of the 16 with one recreation nonetheless to play, however coach Gareth Southgate has cautioned in opposition to complacency after the opening rout of Iran.England captain Harry Kane, the highest scorer on the 2018 World Cup, injured his ankle in opposition to Iran and defender Harry Maguire left the sport within the seventieth minute with blurred imaginative and prescient. Kane educated with the group in current days and is predicted to play Friday, whereas Maguire indicated he’ll play in what will likely be his fiftieth look for the nationwide group.Southgate instructed his group it must be even higher in opposition to the US than it was in opposition to Iran, and he thought the 2 late objectives conceded proved England bought sloppy on the finish of that recreation.“They’re a high nation with plenty of high gamers who’ve performed within the Premier League and who we’ve come up in opposition to,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stated. “But it surely’s about us as a squad being 100%. It’s about us taking the outcome from Iran and going into the U.S. recreation optimistic.”Again on the fieldQatar returns to competitors after changing into the primary host nation in World Cup historical past to drop its first match, a 1-0 loss to Ecuador on the opening evening of the event.Qatar will get one other probability for a victory in opposition to Senegal, which additionally misplaced its opener.“There may be plenty of room for enchancment. Perhaps the duty and nerves bought the perfect of us,” Qatar coach Felix Sanchez stated. “We didn’t begin nicely. It was a horrible begin.”Senegal is with out Sadio Mane, the Bayern Munich ahead who was dominated out of the event with a leg damage. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate can be anticipated to overlook Friday’s recreation with a hamstring damage.With out Mane on the World Cup, Senegal misplaced to the Netherlands 2-0 and coach Aliou Cissé is demanding extra from forwards Ismaila Sarr and Krépin Diatta.“We wanted to be more practical. Ismaila and Krepin are accountable there, however after all, the absence of Mane is an issue for us,” Cisse stated. “Our attackers are good and we all know what they’re able to. We have to work on it, with Ismaila and the others. We anticipate loads from him and Krepin.”Wales-IranGareth Bale scored a late aim from a penalty kick to assist Wales draw with the US in its opening match and was thrilled to be given the starring function in his World Cup debut.The 33-year-old Bale, who performs for the Los Angeles Galaxy within the MLS, had zero hesitation when known as on to take the penalty.“It was all the time going to be me. No doubts,” Bale stated. “I really feel like I needed to step up and I used to be comfortable to take action.”The Asian group will likely be lacking goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand, who’s out with an damage. He was cleared to proceed by Iran’s medical employees after a collision with a teammate within the opening recreation however later collapsed on the sector and was taken to a neighborhood hospital. Hossein Hosseini, the backup, needs to be examined by Bale.Iran, which certified for the final two World Cups, has by no means ever superior to the knockout spherical.Netherlands-EcuadorEcuador and the Netherlands each received their opening matches and their recreation Friday will pit striker Enner Valencia in opposition to ahead Memphis Depay.Valencia scored each of Ecuador’s objectives within the 2-0 win over Qatar earlier than leaving with a sore knee however is about to play Friday.“Enner will play in opposition to the Netherlands, there isn’t any doubt about that,” Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro stated.Depay returned from a hamstring damage to steer the Netherlands in its 2-0 win over Senegal. He got here off the bench in that recreation however needs to begin in opposition to Ecuador.“He’s a participant who could make the distinction,” Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal stated. “He’ll wish to play, however I’ve to evaluate his type.”A win for both group would probably assure development out of Group A. ___
World Cup Viewer’s Information: US seeks repeat of 1950 upset
