Tyler Adams revealed he has already spoken with USA's defenders about the threat of Kieffer Moore having played against the Wales striker for Leeds United against Bournemouth.
Adams - who has been announced as his country's captain for the World Cup - will lead his players out in their Group B contest against Rob Page's troops on Monday night, but he admits the USA need to keep a close eye on Moore.
Indeed, the towering frontman has nine goals in 28 international caps and has netted five times for club and country so far this term. And Adams believes Moore is underrated given his ability to hurt opponents in many different ways.
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“He’s a big threat, we figured that out playing against Bournemouth this year," said the midfielder. "He provides a completely different game plan to any team that you put him into.
"He’s amazing in the air but he’s probably very underrated for his technical ability and finishing around the goal. For our centre-backs I’ve already had a word with them.
"We talked about it in our scouting meeting, you’ve got to have a body on him at all times, he’s a problem. Being physical and trying to win the ball off him. It’ll be a tough one but we have to stop him."
Boss Gregg Berhalter was under no illusions that England are the favourites to finish at the summit of Group B - with USA, Iran and Wales all likely to battle it out for second spot.
And the 49-year-old says the USA must match Wales' intensity if they are to start their tournament with a positive result.
“It’s a good team. I think they’re underrated," said Berhalter. "They have experience, international competition experience, a solid backline, robust players, talent, difference makers up top with [Gareth] Bale, [Daniel] James and Moore. They have a solid midfield and wing-backs that get forward.
"Overall I think it’s a really solid team so for us the starting point is just matching their intensity and coming with a competitive mindset because we know that’ll be needed in the match."
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