USA HAVE A TYLER MADE PLAN... SAY NO MOORE!

TYLER ADAMS has told his USA team-mates to get physical with Wales striker Kieffer Moore if they want to stop him.

Leeds midfielder Adams, named US skipper for the World Cup, has identified Moore as a major threat in today’s opening match against Wales.

Adams (above) said the Bournemouth forward proved a handful when Leeds beat them 4-3 earlier this month and has spoken to his US defenders on how to handle the 30-year-old. “He’s a big threat,” said Adams. “We figured that out when we played Bournemouth.

“He provides a completely different game plan to any team you put him into. Obviously he’s amazing in the air, but he’s probably very underrated in his technical ability and finishing around the goal.

“I’ve already had a word with our centre-backs. We talked about it in our scouting meeting – you’ve got to have a body on him at all times.

“It’s just a typical centreback against centreforward battle, so it will be a tough one, but we have to stop him.

“I’ve had an opportunity to play against a lot of these guys now in the Premier League and one thing you have to be ready for is their competitive nature because they will battle right until the end.”

The US squad is the second-youngest in Qatar, with only one player – Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin – having previously played at a World Cup.

But coach Gregg Berhalter said he and his players will not be using lack of experience as an excuse if they fall short in Group B, which also includes England and Iran.

“We could speculate whether it’s a disadvantage or advantage for hours, but the truth will come out when we actually play the game,” said Berhalter.

“What I would say is that we’re not making any excuses. We are who we are and we want to go out and compete.”

Berhalter has put his faith in 23-year-old Adams by handing him the captain’s armband ahead of more experienced players like Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic.

“Tyler is mature beyond his years,” said Berhalter. “You notice it from the minute you talk to him. His teammates know he will go out and compete. But he’s not just a competitor, he’s also a strategist.

“He calms people down and people get behind him.”

Berhalter said his young squad are capable of justifying favouritism against Rob Page’s Wales tonight. “I’ve seen their maturity grow,” said Berhalter. “Now I see a tremendous amount of focus within this team.”