America is up towards the Netherlands in Qatar on Saturday because the knockout stage of the World Cup kicks off.
That is the primary time the Individuals tackle the Netherlands at a World Cup – they usually're going through them as underdogs. The Individuals haven't superior previous the Spherical of 16 for the reason that 2002 event.
However captain Tyler Adams mentioned they're prepared.
"We'll have to offer it our all," Adams mentioned. "However I believe that is the place our mentality has been actually, actually good towards a number of the largest opponents now."
The U.S. has reached this stage seven occasions earlier than – most not too long ago, in 2014.
"The U.S. has gotten so far earlier than, however fairly uncommon to get past it," mentioned journalist Grant Wahl. "I do not assume this U.S. staff fears another staff within the event."
They have been counting on star ahead Christian Pulisic – nicknamed Captain America – who was cleared Friday night time to play after a pelvic damage. The 24-year-old scored the staff's profitable purpose towards Iran on Tuesday, however collided with the goalkeeper and ended up within the hospital.
He mentioned his "staff's expertise – and spirit – assist him deal with the sector.
"They know that I obtained their again. They obtained mine. That is the way it works," he mentioned.
The American gamers are "giving all the pieces for one another, for this nation," he mentioned.
"You may see all the person expertise … however with out the brotherhood and with out this household side, you recognize, we would not be on this place," he added.
The match at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium can not finish in a tie. As an alternative it may go into additional time – possibly even a penalty shootout.
The profitable staff goes on to the quarterfinals. The shedding staff heads residence.
U.S. males's nationwide staff defender Walker Zimmerman informed CBS Information on Friday the staff is concentrated on the duty at hand.
"We have been the underdogs earlier than," Zimmerman mentioned. 'U.S. Soccer is used to that function, and I believe it is sort of what has made our staff so particular, is the resiliency that we've got, that aggressive spirit that each staff earlier than us has had."