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The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is officially underway and it began, as per usual, in the most galling way possible for the United States.
The USMNT is slotted in Group B alongside England, Iran and Wales. The Three Lions trounced Iran to the tune of a 6-2 win in early action before the USA took on Wales.
Tim Weah, whose father George was the world player of the year in 1995 and is the current president of Liberia, put the US ahead mid-way through the first half after a slick assist from Christian Pulisic.
THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
TIM WEAH PUTS USA ON TOP pic.twitter.com/vinlFUxWGZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 21, 2022
The US took that lead into the halftime break. But the Welsh team didn’t go away. Instead, Wales subbed on 6-foot-5 striker Kieffer Moore for the second half and looked much more of a threat. But the USA stood resolute. That is until center back Walker Zimmerman made a foolish challenge to concede a penalty. Zimmerman slid in on Welsh star Gareth Bale, who had his back to the goal, chopping him down.
PENALTY FOR WALES pic.twitter.com/B0aL5DasgW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 21, 2022
Bale then hammered home the equalizer with just under 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.
Bale sends the penalty home and ties it for Wales! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/XCU4Hohfd9
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 21, 2022
USMNT Fans Want Gregg Berhalter Tried For War Crimes For Not Using Gio Reyna
That left the USA and manager Gregg Berhalter quickly scrambling to find a go-ahead goal. But rather than sub on young star Gio Reyna, Berhalter opted for veteran Jordan Morris. Morris, 28, is a Major League Soccer veteran. Reyna, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old who plays for one of Germany’s top clubs, Boruissia Dortmund.
While Reyna has dealt with injuries throughout his career, he was deemed fit enough to make the team. So either he’s not healthy and shouldn’t be at the tournament, or he is and Berhalter passed him over for Morris.
Given that Reyna was on the bench, fans are absolutely furious at the USA boss.
Can someone help me understand why Gregg Berhalter (in all his infinite wisdom) thought it was a good idea to sub on Jordan Morris instead of Gio Reyna for a battered Christian Pulisic?
I'm REALLY trying to give ol' Gregg the benefit of the doubt… #USMNT #USAvWAL
— Token Blackman (@TokenBlackman7) November 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/AngryPaddack/status/1594806539428458496?s=20&t=mJchsrQ3Fxo_fjWzJYddww
https://twitter.com/go_marquette/status/1594806524228300800?s=20&t=mJchsrQ3Fxo_fjWzJYddww
Morris over Reyna is a war crime https://t.co/hqa5FaJfDS
— Basketball Watcher Alex Alford (@alexalford7) November 21, 2022
Someone please tell me Gio Reyna is injured. There’s no other explanation for the absolute bum Jordan Morris to play in the World Cup if he’s healthy #BerhalterOut
— J (@jstockfive) November 21, 2022
"MORRIS OVER REYNA?!?!?!?!" I scream into the void again 🙁
— {{ data.username }} (@DrinkingtheInk) November 21, 2022
The US has more soccer talent at its disposal than ever before. But it’s not talented enough right now to overcome gross mismanagement.