Team USA coach Gregg Berchalter at a press conference (Photo: Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The US press conference on the eve of the World Cup match against Iran was prickly. The game is tomorrow (29) at 4:00 pm, and the Q&A session with coach Gregg Berhalter and captain Tyler Adams was tense, talking more about conflicts between nations than football.
Journalists, especially from Iran, behaved more aggressively during interrogations. The game, in addition to the political scenario, also had controversy during this World Cup, as a US social media post removed the emblem of Iran from its flag, as ostensibly support for the protests that are taking place in the country. The Iranian federation has already asked to exclude North Americans from the Cup.
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Gregg Berkhalter and Tyler Adams’ strategy was to try to minimize off-field time and deal more with World Cup-related issues as both teams struggle to reach the round of 16.
“When I think about this match, I know that it is connected to other things, other feelings. But for us, it’s a football match against a good team, a knockout match where both teams are trying to qualify. Confrontation. Sport. should unite countries, as we see at the Olympics. Like brothers,” Berhalter began.
“We have no idea what is being done, what is being published [nas redes sociais]🇧🇷 I don’t want to sound like I don’t care, but these players have worked very hard to get here and we are focused on our work. All we can do is apologize on behalf of the players and our staff.”
“I don’t understand international politics, I’m a coach. I can’t answer that” and “I came here to talk about the United States, not about Jurgen Klinsman. trainer phrases.
Adams was accused of mispronouncing the name Iran. In addition, he was asked about the defense of the US, a country with racism problems.
“Sorry for the mispronunciation. There is discrimination everywhere, which I can confirm by living outside my country. In the United States, we are making progress every day. progress,” he said.
