Football

World Cup 2022: USA legend Brad Friedel outlines the one USMNT player that Iran will target

World Cup 2022: USA legend Brad Friedel outlines the one USMNT player that Iran will target

Former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel says Iran manager Carlos Queiroz will pinpoint forward Christian Pulisic in their Group B encounter.

Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Blackburn and Aston Villa goalkeeper revealed exactly how he thinks Iran will operate against the USA in their meeting later today.

Iran will aim to stop USA star forward

Pulisic has struggled for minutes at Chelsea this season, but remains a key figure for his national side. He has played the entirety of both of the USA’s matches in Qatar so far, picking up an assist in the opener against Wales.

And Friedel believes the main objective for Iran boss Queiroz will be to stop the attacker.

“Carlos will base his plan around stopping the attacking weapons we have and he will try and limit the energy and pace of the game as much as he can from Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah,” said Friedel.

“But I think he will mainly focus on stopping Pulisic. I don’t know if he’ll focus on a specific No 9. We have three, he will have a plan in place for each one.

“I also think he’ll try to limit the energy in the centre of the midfield that we have and keep overloads from full-backs Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson from happening.

“I think it will be physical, aggressive. If Carlos has it his way it won’t be end-to-end stuff – he knows athletically, we are superior.”

Queiroz intelligent and a structured disciplinarian

Friedel also noted just how special a bond Queiroz has formed with his players in such a short space of time.

The ex-USA goalkeeper, who lived in close proximity to the manager during their time at Blackburn and Manchester United respectively, says Queiroz has two different sides to his personality.

“Off the field as a person, Carlos is a gentleman,” said Friedel. “As a coach, he has a hard side to him – he is a structured disciplinarian and if you do the things that he asks and tries to work on, then he is very compassionate as well.

“He is a very intelligent man. Iran appointed him in September, only two months before the World Cup and it had to be someone like Carlos. He can do that. He’s very resolute and he won’t feel the day-to-day pressure.

“I watched Iran’s 2-0 win over Wales and how the players celebrated with him after the final whistle.”

USA

USA ‘full of confidence’ ahead of Iran game

The USA go into the meeting versus Iran sitting third in Group B on two points. England are top on four points, with Iran second on three.

Friedel explained how high confidence will be in the USA camp after Friday’s draw with England.

“The USA team will have woken up on Saturday morning in Qatar feeling really good,” said Friedel. “With their World Cup fate in their own hands, they are exactly where they want to be.

“They know they played really well against England – a favourite of the tournament and one of the leading teams in regard to global media interest. USMNT will be getting a lot of good coverage around the world right now.

“I would imagine training on Saturday with the players who didn’t play would have been really good, really competitive as they try to get into this team that is performing well. Things will be really upbeat and happy and people will be full of confidence.”


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