USMNT gets reminder on how vital it is to have game plan for World Cup penalty shootout
SANTA CLARA, Calif.— There is no crueler way to end a World Cup.A penalty shootout where talent and tactics go out the window in the span of five kicks.
Where months of preparation and years of sacrifice can disappear into a goalkeeper’s gloves or sail over a crossbar.As we discovered Monday, the knockout stage has a way of reducing the world’s biggest sporting event to its most unforgiving exam.United States players watched Germany fall to Paraguay from their team flight to San Jose and the Netherlands bow out against Morocco from the hotel after two dramatic penalty shootouts.They were captivated like the rest of us, but they were also taking mental notes.“In the moment I was a fan, then I realized that we’re also in the same tournament,” defender Chris Richards said.
“We saw two upsets [Monday], so we’re making sure we don’t allow that to happen to us.”Germany’s exit became a cautionary tale for the Americans.Defender Jonathan Tah had to shoulder the pressure after several experienced players reportedly hesitated to take a kick in the extra round.
In his first career penalty, Tah’s attempt sailed high over the crossbar and into the seats.That scene is exactly what the U.S.insists will not happen to it against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.Speaking Tuesday at PayPal Park in San Jose, multiple members of the U.S.
squad said that penalty kicks have become a consistent part of their training routine.Nobody wants to discover who is willing to volunteer after 120 exhausting minutes.
But they are preparing now just in case.“I don’t want to give away too much, but we are working on them and providing tools to players to improve them,” U.S.head coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
“We know it’s impossible to replicate the stress, pressure and emotions of that situation, but we are trying.”Both the manager and the players revealed that if the Americans find themselves embroiled in a penalty shootout, Pochettino would decide the peckin...