Tactics

5 questions for USMNT January camp now that Anthony Hudson's head coach

This was always going to be a strange January camp for the USMNT with it directly following a World Cup. As usual it falls outside a FIFA international window, so the roster will be composed of MLS players, but now we also know that the team will be guided by an interim manager, Anthony Hudson.

Why soccer players lie behind the wall during free kicks and how the tactic started

If you’re a casual soccer fan who tunes in for the World Cup and the occasional game, you probably noticed an odd tactic. “Why does a player lie down behind the wall in soccer?” you may have asked yourself.

Why does a player lie down behind the wall in soccer?

The tactic of having a player laying down behind the wall is simple. Having a player lay down behind the wall denies the free kick taker any chance at shooting the ball underneath the wall when the players jump.

Messi and Argentina expect classic quarterfinal against old rivals Netherlands

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni predicted a tough but beautiful encounter with the Netherlands when the sides meet in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal.

Argentina beat Australia 2-1 while the Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 on Saturday to set up a tantalizing clash between two of the great teams of world football who famously met in the 1978 World Cup final which the South Americans won.

USMNT starting 11 vs. Netherlands confirmed: Pulisic in, Sargent out

The USMNT starting 11 vs Netherlands has been confirmed with Christian Pulisic returning to the lineup after being forced off with a pelvic contusion against Iran last time out. Josh Sargent, however, still hasn't fully recovered from his ankle injury (he's unavailable for selection) and the starting striker claim goes to Jesús Ferreira (his first appearance).

Netherlands need to show they're not all talk against USA in round of 16

DOHA - After much posturing, the Netherlands now need to deliver if they are to fulfill their own prophecy at the World Cup, starting with the opening clash of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.

There has been much talk — all from the Dutch camp — of the team's potential to go all the way in the tournament in Qatar, principally from veteran coach Louis van Gaal, who enjoys a little mental coaxing and sparring.

The USA advances from Group B — 3 biggest takeaways from narrow 1-0 victory vs. Iran

The United States men’s national team triumphed against Iran with a nervy 1-0 victory on Tuesday to clinch a Round of 16 game against the Netherlands. The USA gave American fans several heart attacks along the way, but this is a massive accomplishment for the team.

The USA grinded out a tough one but ultimately came out on top. The magic moment came from none other than Christian Pulisic who put his body on the line to score the game-winner.

Watch: Serbia briefly turn into prime 2010 Spain and score beautiful tiki-taka goal

Serbia and Cameroon arguably played the best game of the 2022 World Cup on Monday with a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3. The game also saw a Serbia tiki-taka goal that honestly looked like it could have been scored by that legendary 2010 Spain squad.

The Eagles of Serbia were soaring after scoring two goals in first-half stoppage time to take a 2-1 lead. Playing with supreme confidence, Serbia scored one of the prettiest team goals of the tournament in the 53rd minute.

Look at this string of passes from the Serbs.

Weston McKennie praises Gregg Berhalter's tactics but admits there's one thing missing

DOHA - The United States shut out a European side at the World Cup for the first time since 1950 but left the tent-like Al Bayt Stadium without a win after Friday's tense goalless stalemate against England, a contest where they were superior for long periods.

England had crushed Iran 6-2 in their Group B opener to justify their status as one of the tournament favorites, but they were fortunate to come away with a point against Gregg Berhalter's young and energetic team.

Que tome nota Alexis Vega: El gol con que Croacia venció a Arabia Saudita

Arabia Saudita, rival de México en el Grupo C del Mundial 2022, terminó su preparación rumbo a Catar con una derrota 1-0 ante Croacia, en un amistoso jugado en el Estadio Prince Faisal bin Fahd.

La diferencia en el juego la hizo el delantero del 1899 Hoffenheim, Andrej Kramarić, quien luego de recibir un pase de Luka Modrić encaró al área desnudando un par de falencias en la zaga que quizás Alexis Vega pueda aprovechar cuando el Tri enfrente a Arabia Saudita el próximo miércoles 30 de noviembre.

Sergio Ramos, David de Gea and Thiago Alcantara all LEFT OFF Spain’s 2022 World Cup roster

MADRID — Spain included Barcelona's Ansu Fati but left out Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and PSG defender Sergio Ramos from their 26-man World Cup squad on Friday.

Fati, now 20, made his international debut in 2020 at 17 and in his second game became the youngest player to score for Spain, breaking a record held since 1925 by Juan Errazquien.

But the forward is fighting his way back from four surgeries to repair an injury to his left knee, suffered in November 2020.

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