Midfielder receives yellow card in U.S. men's national team World Cup opener
A midfielder picked up a yellow card during a 4-1 group-stage win. The card raises the possibility of a suspension if another is received before the group stage ends.
nypost.comA midfielder received a yellow card in the 60th minute of a group-stage match against Paraguay. The team won the match 4-1. The card places the player one booking away from an automatic suspension for the next match if another yellow is issued against either Australia or Turkey. Single yellow cards are cleared after the group stage.
Match context The midfielder started in a defensive pivot alongside another player, while a third midfielder operated in a more advanced role. The coach had discussed positioning and movement with the group the day before the match. The player said the group had reviewed similar tactical setups in a prior friendly and felt comfortable with the plan.
The opposing coach later noted the tactical complexity shown by the team.
Yellow card implications The midfielder stated that managing bookings is part of the role and that the team must remain aggressive in the second group match. The player added that the risk of missing a potential knockout game increases the weight of any further card.
The team next faces Australia on Friday. A win combined with certain other group results could allow rotation of players on yellow cards for the final group match.
