Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has warned Gareth Southgate that his USA side "are not intimidated" by England despite the Three Lions' thumping 6-2 win over Iran.
Adams became the youngest player to captain the Stars and Stripes in a World Cup match since 1950 when he led Gregg Berhalter's side out in their 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday. The States went ahead through Tim Weah's opener but were eventually pegged back thanks to a Gareth Bale penalty.
Meanwhile, England began their campaign in emphatic fashion after goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish took Southgate's men to the top of Group B.
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And despite having the second youngest team in Qatar after Ghana, Adams has emphasised that the respective score-lines have not damaged belief within the USA camp. The 23-year-old explained: "We are eager to bounce back and now have the opportunity to do that against a good team.
"We are not intimidated. We know how much quality they have. I have had the opportunity to play against a lot of them in the Premier League this year but we have a good team as well.
"It is about winning the games ahead now. You have to focus and try and bounce back against a very good team in England."
If Adams and co are to secure a surprise result on Friday, they are likely to require more moments of quality from star attacker Christian Pulisic.
The Chelsea man, who has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent times, was a constant thorn in the Welsh side last time out and provided the assist for Weah's goal.
"He is an unbelievable player," Adams said of Pulisic. "What you saw on the goal, he is probably the only player on the field that can set that play up.
"That is a glimpse of what he can do. He is super talented and he is going to be a huge integral part for us moving forward."
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