USA vs Wales World Cup highlights: USMNT's Tim Weah scores, but Gareth Bale responds in opening draw

Marc Lancaster

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USA vs Wales World Cup highlights: USMNT's Tim Weah scores, but Gareth Bale responds in opening draw image

A youthful United States men's national team learned some lessons as it opened the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

The positives included a roaring start against Wales highlighted by a signature moment from one of the USMNTs young stars, but they were tempered by a late defensive mistake that allowed the Welsh to salvage a 1-1 draw in the teams' Group B opener. 

While the result ultimately felt like a letdown considering the momentum the U.S. had through much of the match, coach Gregg Berhalter's side played with confidence as a new generation of USA players got their World Cup baptism after missing out on Russia 2018. 

Here are some of the highlights from the USMNT's opening game in Qatar: 

MORE: Can USA make it out of Group B at FIFA World Cup?

Tim Weah goal highlights

The USA controlled the run of play throughout the opening half, attacking up both wings via Antonee Robinson (left) and Sergino Dest (right), but the Americans ultimately broke through going up the center of the pitch. 

In the 36th minute, USA star Christian Pulisic sliced up the middle, surrounded by five Wales players, before laying it off to an unmarked Tim Weah cutting into the middle of the penalty area. 

The youngster's first touch was golden, as he coolly redirected the pass off the outside of his right foot and drove it past sliding Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to send USA fans at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium into hysterics. 

That strike was enough to give the U.S. momentum at the midway point, as they took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

MORE: Who is Tim Weah's father? USMNT star follows footsteps of a soccer icon

Wales target Pulisic

The Welsh side recognized that Pulisic would be a threat and the American proved it on the goal.

That also made Pulisic a steady target of the Welsh players:

Matt Turner's big save for the USA

In the second half, Wales came out with intensity and the Americans were on their heels for large stretches. They needed this big save by starting goalkeeper Matt Turner to maintain the 1-0 lead.

Gareth Bale goal on penalty

With about 10 minutes remaining an overly aggressive challenge by USA defender Walker Zimmerman gifted Wales a penalty.

And Wales star Gareth Bale made no mistake against Matt Turner.

USA yellow cards

Despite their early dominance in the match, the USA experienced some frustrations with the officiating.

Twice in a three-minute span early in the game, Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim went to his pocket to hand out yellow cards to U.S. players for challenges he deemed rash. Sergino Dest was booked in the 11th minute and Weston McKennie in the 13th, with both players vigorously protesting the calls. 

MORE: Yellow card rules at the 2022 World Cup — when does suspension kick in?

The bookings balanced out later in the half as Gareth Bale and Chris Mepham were cautioned for Wales, but U.S. defender Tim Ream joined those sitting on a yellow card in the 51st minute. 

Players receiving two yellow cards during the World Cup must sit out their team's next game, so any caution can have a long-lasting impact on a nation's hopes. 

Marc Lancaster

Marc Lancaster Photo

Marc Lancaster joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working closely with TSN for five years as an editor for the company now known as Stats Perform. He previously worked as an editor at The Washington Times, AOL’s FanHouse.com and the old CNNSportsIllustrated.com, and as a beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and University of Georgia football and women’s basketball. A Georgia graduate, he has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2013.