USA has golden chance against Wales, but ends with regrets in World Cup opener

But, my goodness, what a kick in the teeth for Gregg Berhalter’s young American squad that it was unable to finish the job against Wales on Monday, a sucker punch that will test every bit of their mettle in the days and games to come.

After Tim Weah’s first-half opener was canceled out by a Gareth Bale penalty — of course, Bale — with eight minutes left, the USA is left locked in a second-place stalemate in Group B ahead of its now-critical clash with England on Friday (2 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App). .

In Bale, Wales have a five-time Champions League winner and a man who at his peak was among the very best in the world?

When the American goal came, 35 minutes into the opening half, it was fully deserved.

Pulisic’s beautifully-timed ball sent Weah through on the goal, and the youngster, whose father George was a former World Footballer of the Year but never played a World Cup, was composed in the face of the moment. .

A flick with the outside of his right cleat and the ball was past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and into the Welsh net, the first American scorer at a World Cup since Julian Green got a consolation goal in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium in the 2014 round of 16.  .

The last scorer against Wales at a World Cup before Weah

For much of the evening, Wales players were the ones in their own heads

It took less than 10 minutes for the first opportunities to land, Weah giving early indication of his positive intent with a cross that Wales defender Joe Rodon could only head awkwardly at his own goalkeeper

At 64 minutes, a Ben Davies header forced USA goalkeeper Matt Turner to make his first meaningful save, a reaction parry in a crowded penalty area