Inter Miami defender and ex-England international Kieran Gibbs warns Gareth Southgate about USA

Inter Miami defender and former England international Kieran Gibbs believes his adopted country will give Gareth Southgate’s side a tough game at the World Cup in Qatar on Friday.

Ex-Arsenal player Gibbs, 33, won 10 caps for England, but having played Major League Soccer for the past two seasons, he is better placed than most to warn Gareth Southgate of what lies ahead.

The left back is impressed with what he has seen from Gregg Berhalter’s team so far.

Inter Miami defender Kieran Gibbs thinks England will struggle against the US in Qatar

Gibbs, who won 10 caps for England, now plays his club football in the MLS with Inter Miami

“It’s an exciting team, the US. They have a lot of speed, a lot of power,” Gibbs told MLS.com.

“I was particularly impressed with the middle of the park for USA against Wales.

“Most games are won in that part of the field and when you have teams with a lot of energy who like to press and be aggressive, it’s going to be a tough game for you.

“I also think the US will play with a bit more freedom than many teams in the World Cup because they are not expected to be world beaters, as you say, and they are young.

‘That creates players who have a lot of freedom and that often works to your advantage. Then you play without that extra pressure and you can just go out and express yourself.’

Back in England, left-back Gibbs played for a number of teams, most notably Arsenal

England are favorites to win on Friday and opened their World Cup campaign with a 6-2 victory over Iran shortly before the US drew level with Wales.

Timothy Weah opened the scoring for USMNT, but LAFC striker Gareth Bale equalized with a late penalty.

The US close their group with a match against Iran on Tuesday, as Gibbs’ old team England meet British rivals Wales.