The U.S. men’s national team’s return to the World Cup stage began with a bang and then ended with a disappointment.
In the USMNT’s first World Cup match in eight years, Tim Weah scored 36 minutes in to give the Americans a 1–0 lead over Wales, but a late penalty conceded by Walker Zimmerman gifted the Dragons the chance to pull level. Gareth Bale did just that, and both sides move forward with a single point after the 1–1 draw, trailing England in Group B in Qatar. The Three Lions are sitting pretty atop the group, both in terms of goal differential following a 6–2 victory and then also after witnessing the U.S. and Wales exerting themselves to the max in a physical battle.
Here are three thoughts on the match:
