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The 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16 is officially here for Gregg Berhalter and the United States men’s national team as they get set to take on the Netherlands in what promises to be a tough matchup Saturday in Qatar. The American defense has not conceded a goal on open play, but it will have to be on its toes to stop Coady Gakpo, who has three goals in the World Cup thus far.
Everyone will be holding their breath to see if Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, and Weston McKennie are fit to start the match, as the trio have been critical in making the United States tick during the World Cup so far. Sargent has made a good case to stay in the lineup if healthy and even a former USMNT player agrees. Pulisic himself, who revealed he did not get hit below the belt like everyone assumed, said he’s still feeling soreness from his pelvic contusion and on Friday the team announced that he’d been cleared to play on Saturday.
“I mean, it’s a pelvic contusion. … I didn’t, like, get hit in the balls,” Pulisic said during Thursday’s press conference in Qatar. “I’m all right. It was very painful. That bone is there for a reason, to protect you, I think. I hit it well. It was sore, but like I said, I’m getting better.”
This is Netherlands team that is patient in possession, which means that the recipe for an upset is there if the Americans come into this one with a somewhat clean bill of health. The USMNT will have a chance to press and unsettle them, which would make this a truly memorable World Cup run. Here are three keys to an upset for the Americans. The winner of this match will face the winner of Argentina vs. Australia in the quarterfinals.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more — and while you’re at it, sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.
How to watch and odds
Date: Saturday, Dec. 3 Time: 10 a.m. ETLocation: Khalifa International Stadium — Al Rayyan, QatarTV: Fox and Telemundo