Timothy Weah scored for the USA in their 1-1 draw with Wales on Monday (Picture: Getty)
Chris Waddle has named three United States players who will cause England problems when England face the USA in Friday’s World Cup clash.
The Three Lions got off to a fantastic start in Qatar on Monday, thrashing Iran 6-2 in their opening Group B fixture.
Gareth Southgate’s side next come up against the United States on Friday before a British battle with Wales on November 27.
The USA drew 1-1 with Wales in their Group B opener with Gareth Bale securing a point after Timothy Weah handed the Americans the lead.
‘I think you’ll see America come out of the blocks quickly [against England] like they did against Wales,’ Waddle told Metro.co.uk on behalf of FreeSuperTips.
‘That front three really pushed Wales back and they didn’t let Wales play football.
‘They really got after them, got after every ball and kept picking up the second balls.
‘How they’ve developed the game in America is a lot better than it used to be, it’s a good brand of football, but they don’t know how to control games and slow it down.
‘That was their downfall, first half the game should have been put to bed and they could have lost in the end with the chances Wales had.
‘They just ran out of steam, whether the manager picks up on that or decides that’s the only way the USA can play is up to him.
‘They’ll give England a game for 45 minutes if it’s at that high tempo, but I can see England scoring 3 or 4 goals if they start to tire in the second half.’
He added: ‘I think [Southgate will] bring Eric Dier in like he did against Iran.
‘The problem [England will] get in the defence is we’ll start to come up against better opposition like the Americans who are lively.
‘In Weah, [Christian] Pulisic and [Josh] Sargent up front they’ve got willing runners.
‘That might be the one worry for England at the back, the pace at centre halve especially.
‘As the tournament goes on, we’re tipped to get France in the quarters if both teams get that far and Mbappe’s pace will really be a threat to our defence.’
MORE : Chris Waddle predicts Man Utd star will continue on England bench despite goal
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‘They didn’t let Wales play football!’
