US Men's National Team manager Gregg Berhalter addressed the media ahead of the Stars and Stripes crucial Group B clash against England.
USA began their 2022 World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Wales, conceding a late penalty to Gareth Bale after Tim Weah had given Berhalter's men a 35th-minute lead.
The gaffer was asked about the fitness of midfielders Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest, two of the Stars and Stripes key midfield men, as they came to Qatar with quadriceps and adductor injuries, respectively.
His answer was very direct. "They're both doing fine", he said.
On his friendship with Southgate
Berhalter revealed that he and his counterpart Gareth Southgate have exchanged messages on the social media platform WhatsApp, but communication between the two men has ceased ahead of Friday's crunch clash.
"I've been WhatsApp-ing him, but I haven't seen the blue checkmark, so I don't know what's going on", he said. "We kind of took a hiatus. We'll pick up our relationship after tomorrow."
He was also full of praise for the Three Lions manager, saying "I think he's done a great job. I've been saying that for the last year and a half that his record at major tournaments has been outstanding.
"He's done a great job with this team. They got off to a great start and they're a formidable opponent. It's going to be a difficult game for us."
"We'll see what happens" with Reyna
The 49-year-old manager gave his thoughts on the status of midfielder Giovanni Reyna, who was left on the bench at the end of the draw against Wales.
Following the match, Berhalter alluded to "a little bit of tightness" that caused him to not the young talent as a "precaution" in light of Reyna's history of soft tissue injuries.
Thanksgiving dinner was moved from its usual Thursday to Saturday due to pre-match preparations was asked if using off the bench Monday was a "risk" even if he was fully available.
"I think I was pretty clear after the game saying he was available after the match, and it was a coach's decision that he didn't play", he said, looking slightly annoyed. "And he'll be available for tomorrow's match and we'll see what happens."
Several have spoken how they're looking forward to testing themselves against one of the favorites to win the tournament, according to Berhalter.
After the draw against Wales, the 49-year-old boss stated the importance of this match - where the US can significantly improve their chances of advancing to the knockout stages - will compensate for the physical challenge of a short turnaround.
"I think this is a pretty easy one - you're getting to play England. That's the recovery right there", he said. "You get to play one of the teams that we think is the favorite of the tournament. I think there's not going to be many tired players come Friday."
"We want to perform"
Berhalter showed how much confidence he had in his squad, the third-youngest team at the tournament, stating "I believe on our best day we can beat anyone in the world, anyone.
"It is a great honor to play in the World Cup, but we don't want to just be participants. We want to perform.
"We think the first step is getting out of the group. And the second step is, in the knockout games, playing our best possible game and see how far we can go."
Captain Tyler Adams, who plays for Leeds United in the Premier League, said his side is ready to test themselves against one of the world's best teams.
"England's still a big team at the end of the day", he said. "But we also want to show them what we're capable of and that US soccer is growing and developing in the right way."