World Cup: USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter will NOT be using youth as an ‘excuse’
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USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter says inexperience is NOT an ‘excuse’ as his squad prepares for the start of the World Cup vs. Wales – adding ‘the truth will come out’ in Qatar about how good his team is
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter will not use his team’s youth as an “excuse” if they don’t make it in Qatar.
The USA roster is the second youngest at the World Cup with DeAndre Yedlin the only player to have previously played at the tournament.
It’s an unknown amount for Berhalter’s side, led by Leeds midfielder Tyler Adams, ahead of their opening game against Wales on Monday (2pm ET).
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter will make no excuses if the team struggles at the World Cup
The current squad is seen as the country’s golden generation, with Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and American legend Clint Dempsey excited about their potential.
And Berhalter is unwilling to point to inexperience when things don’t go well in the league, admitting that ‘the truth will come out’ against Wales.
“We can speculate whether it’s an advantage or a disadvantage (being so young), but the truth will come out when we play the game,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“What I would say is we just don’t make excuses for ourselves. We want to go out and compete.
USA had a final training session on Sunday before the World Cup opener vs. Wales on Monday
After playing against Wales, the US will take on England and Iran in Group B at the Qatar World Cup
“I see a lot of focus in the team and that focus will enable us to go for success.
“Time will tell if we can play with the best teams in the world. It is a talented group, a young group, but also a group full of character.’
England are regarded as the favorites to progress to the Group B knockout rounds, with second place seen as a straight shootout between Wales and Berhalter’s team, while Iran are outsiders.
The USMNT takes its World Cup bow at Al Rayyan Stadium vs. Wales after the meeting between England and Iran earlier in the day.
“We want to be an aggressive team in this game,” Berhalter added. “We want to be able to hurt them.
“You have this game plan that you hope the group can execute, and you have those moments that aren’t in the script. Moments when you are forced to duel and win duels and win second balls.’
The USA held a final training session at 10pm in Doha ahead of the World Cup opener to reflect the late kick-off.
Berhalter spoke to the media ahead of his team’s World Cup arc at Al Rayyan Stadium on Sunday