World Cup: USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter heaps praise on ‘formidable’ Wales

USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter has heaped praise on the ‘formidable’ Wales ahead of their first World Cup game in a week today.

The US squad was one of the first to land in Qatar over the weekend and has already held several training sessions ahead of the tournament, which opens on Sunday.

Berhalter’s side will play their opening Group B game against Wales on Monday, and the manager was quick to emphasize that he was not taking them lightly.

Gregg Berhalter has faced the media at the USMNT base in Doha ahead of the World Cup

Christian Pulisic also landed in Doha and trained with his teammates on Monday

“I think Wales, at least to the American media, is underrated,” he told reporters. “When I look at their squad, it’s actually a Premier League squad. You have Daniel James, who recently scored against Man United, a high quality player.

“You have Harry Wilson, high quality player. Kieffer Moore, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson, Gareth Bale, Ben Davies. For me it is a very good team, a formidable team. They have competed in international competitions before, they know what it’s like.

“It will be a very difficult game, just like when they play against England. It will be a very competitive team, we know the starting point next Monday evening, we will compete.’

Berhalter called Fulham and Wales’ Daniel James a ‘high quality player’ ahead of the opener

Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore was another player the US boss singled out for praise

Key midfielders Yunus Musah and Luca de la Torre were among the first from the US team to arrive at their luxury Doha base this weekend, with the pair filmed walking to training saying to the camera: ‘Hey! We’re here, man!’

They’ve now been joined by other senior members of the side, including Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, who was pictured warming up on Monday morning after playing at Newcastle on Saturday night.

Pulisic has had a tough season at Chelsea but will captain his country at the World Cup this month as they try to break out of a tough group with England, Wales and Iran.

After their opener against Rob Page’s Wales, the US will face England on November 25 – the day after Thanksgiving – for a potentially crucial final showdown with Iran.

Pulisic has had a difficult season at Chelsea, but will captain his country in Qatar this month

Yunus Musah (left) and Luca de la Torre both arrived at the US camp in Qatar this weekend