The United States Men’s National Team took a point from their first World Cup match since 2014 after a 1-1 draw.
The Americans were up until a late foul from Walker Zimmerman gave Wales a penalty kick, which was all that Gareth Bale needed to salvage a point for his squad.
The United States had the first two chances of the match in succession. Tim Weah broke past his defender on the right flank in the ninth minute before his cross into the box bounced off the head of Welsh defender Joe Rodon into his own keeper Wayne Hennessesey, who deflected the ball back into the penalty area. The ball fell to Antonee Robinson, whose left-footed cross found Josh Sargent at the edge of the six-yard box but his header hit the woodwork and went out for a goal kick.
Once Wales finally secured possession past the midfield, the United States were assessed yellow cards for consecutive tackles on Neco Williams. Sergiño Dest tackled Williams poorly along the sideline in the 11th minute and then Weston McKennie earned his yellow for a similar tackle five yards up the field less than two minutes later.
After the match lost its flow for a few moments, the United States began to pressure Wales’ backline once again.
After being fouled by Chris Mepham in the 34th minute, the ball was quickly played back to Pulisic and he earned the United States their second corner kick of the match. The ensuing corner was played around but the United States couldn’t find the target.
Moments later the Americans broke the deadlock with the contest’s first shot on target.
Josh Sagent chested down a pass near midfield to Pulisic. “Captain America” then made a 30 yard run into Wales’ penalty area before letting off a pass to Tim Weah, who used the outside of his right boot to beat Hennessey to his far post and gave the Americans the 1-0 lead 36 minutes into the match.
Wales couldn’t muster their first shot on target before the halftime break, though they were assessed two yellow cards. Gareth Bale took down Yunus Musah from behind in the 40th minute to earn his yellow while defender Chris Mepham was booked after an accumulation of tackles in the second minute of first half stoppage time.
After thwarting a late corner kick, the United States went into halftime up 1-0 without forcing Matt Turner to make a save.
Wales had the first chance of the second half after winning a corner kick in the 49th minute. The subsequent corner was heading toward the penalty spot but Matt Turner was fouled by Bale, thwarting Wales’ attack.
Wales again had a run of possession in the 60th minute when three crosses were played into the United States’ penalty area. Despite the multitude of chances, Wales was unable to even get a shot off.
Wales continued to pressure the American backline, nearly scoring on consecutive chances. The ball pinged around the United States’ penalty area before Ben Davies’ diving header forced Matt Turner to palm the shot over the bar, earning Wales a corner kick in the 65th minute. The subsequent corner found a wide-open Kieffer Moore, who missed an open net.
After both teams made multiple substitutions, Wales earned their goal.
The ball was played around the penalty area before Aaron Ramsey found Gareth Bale near the penalty spot. Walker Zimmerman slid through the back of Bale and was assessed a foul, giving Wales a penalty kick. Bale then stepped to the spot and beat Matt Turner to the keeper’s left to tie the match at 1 in the 82nd minute.
Wales then got another chance near the end of regular time when Brennan Johnson made a long run into the American penalty area, though his shot was right at Matt Turner.
Neither side was able to find the target in over ten minutes of second half stoppage time, ensuring that each side would leave the match with a point in Group B.
Wales ended up outshooting the United States seven to six and had three shots on target while the Americans only effort on target was Weah’s goal.
Wales continues their Group B schedule when they play Iran on Friday at 4 a.m. CT.
The United States Men’s National Team’s next game is Friday at 1 p.m. CT against England, the early leader of Group B.
