Press-Telegram (Long Beach)

UGLY TIE CONTEST

Close to beating Wales, U.S. gives up a late penalty kick and has to settle for a 1-1 draw

- By Ro■ald Blum

AL RAYYAN, QATAR » The young United States team was nearing victory in its World Cup return. Then Walker Zimmerman needlessly plowed into Gareth Bale, with the Wales forward's back to the goal.

Bale converted the resulting penalty kick in the 82nd minute, giving Wales a 1-1 draw Monday that left the Americans feeling frustrated and made their path to the knockout stage more precarious.

“Walking into the locker room after the game, you could see the disappoint­ment of the group,” United States coach Gregg Berhalter

United States vs. England, World Cup, Group B, Friday, 11 a.m., Ch. 11

Inside: England rolls to an easy win over Iran, Netherland­s beats Senegal.

said.

Tim Weah, a son of former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberian President George Weah, had put the Americans ahead after a pass from Christian Pulisic in the 36th minute.

Back in the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament, the United States appeared headed to victory. But referee Abdulrahma­n Al-Jassim of host Qatar pointed to the penalty spot after Zimmerman took down Bale.

Bale put his kick to the left of goalkeeper Matt Turner's outstretch­ed arm for his 41st goal in 109 internatio­nal appearance­s, salvaging a point for Wales in its first World Cup match since 1958.

“The most important thing was that we didn't lose,” Weah said. “We kept a tie, and now we just focus on the next game.”

Next up for the United States is a high-profile matchup against England on Friday, the same day Wales faces Iran. England opened with a 6-2 rout of the Iranians earlier Monday.

Tim Weah, just 22, was part of a new-look American team that is the second-youngest in the tournament.

Pulisic, the top American player and one of the few holdovers from the 2017 qualifying failure, burst up the middle of the field in a move that led to the goal. Weah timed his run perfectly as Pulisic passed ahead, breaking in ahead of Neco Williams.

From near the penalty area, Weah used the side of his right foot to poke the ball over the left thigh of sliding goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey for his fourth goal in 26 internatio­nal appearance­s.

HIGH POINT » A good team has to be able to win easily sometimes. The Lakers haven't proved that they're a good team, but they sure did win easily on Sunday night against the Spurs, leading by as much as 34 points (their previous season-high lead was 18). Anthony Davis had his third consecutiv­e game of 30-plus points and 16-plus rebounds, the only such streak of his career. And LeBron James hasn't even suited up for any of these wins.

LOW POINT » It's not so much a “point” as an issue given that the Lakers had two wins, but it's concerning that James isn't off the injury report yet. A quick glance at the Lakers' health saw them swap out two formerly injured role players (Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant) for two now-ailing role players (Max Christie and Juan Toscano-Anderson). And James' slow return from an injury in an area where he's been hurt before doesn't feel like a good omen. TRENDING TOPIC » An apples-toapples comparison isn't always the best route to say why one player should start over another. But on a simple eye test, there's a pressing question lately: Why isn't Austin Reaves a full-time starter?

Let's set aside the Russell Westbrook question for a moment — now that Darvin Ham has moved Westbrook to the bench, he doesn't appear to be leaving anytime soon. In six starts, Reaves has been phenomenal: 13.2 ppg,

 ?? THEMBA HADEBE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Gareth Bale of Wales, right, successful­ly appeals for a penalty after a foul by Walker Zimmerman of the U.S. during Monday’s match.
THEMBA HADEBE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Gareth Bale of Wales, right, successful­ly appeals for a penalty after a foul by Walker Zimmerman of the U.S. during Monday’s match.

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