Kellyn Acosta speaks out on fouling Gareth Bale in Wales draw after USMNT’s exit from World cup
>
‘I didn’t think twice. Gotta take him down’: USA’s Kellyn Acosta talks about his midfield attack on LAFC teammate Gareth Bale in Wales draw after returning home from Qatar’s World Cup knockout
USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta opened up on a crucial foul that denied Wales a last-minute chance to score a game-winner against the USA from the halfway line in the Group B opener of both teams in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts on Monday after the USMNT was eliminated following a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the Round of 16, the LAFC midfielder said: “It was one of those things where I didn’t I thought twice.”
“I’ve got to take him down” even though we’re teammates in Los Angeles, but it’s one of those things that’s important to our country.
‘Gotta take him down’: LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta revealed he had to foul Gareth Bale
Acosta, 27, pounced on Wales star and LAFC teammate Gareth Bale at the halfway line.
It was in the ninth minute of injury time when US goalkeeper Matt Turner came out of his net to head clear the danger in hopes of collecting a point.
The Arsenal substitute’s clearance, however, fell to the feet of former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who looked to pull the trigger from the halfway line.
That’s when Acosta stepped in to foul his LAFC teammate while carrying his plate to prevent any chance of the USMNT suffering a loss in their 2022 World Cup opener.
The former FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids player was handed a yellow card, a small price to pay considering Wales could have gone from the dead with all three points.
His tackle denied Bale the chance to score a potential winner with Matt Turner just wide of his net.
After the game, US fans took to social media to praise the 27-year-old midfielder for making sure his team sealed a point, instead of none.
One fan claimed: “One of the greatest tactical fouls of all time.”
A second posted: ‘Literally the greatest play in US soccer history’ and a third fan, hinting at Welsh roots, added: ‘Crime against humanity, but well justified.’
The US fans were elated after Acosta made sure the US went out of the game with a point.
Now that the trip to lift the World Cup on December 18 is over for the Americans, Acosta was asked what he will do over the Christmas season after flying back to the country for the weekend.
‘Christmas is a special time for me. I get to come home to my friends and family, so now it’s one of those things where I can relax, breathe a little, and enjoy great company.
The USMTN will turn its attention to the CONCACAF Nations League, which will then play Grenada and El Salvador in 2023.