USA’s Kellyn Acosta says USMNT have to “kick” Wales’ Gareth Bale “around the field” at World Cup | OneFootball

As quoted by ESPN, USA midfielder Kellyn Acosta has explained the American team will need to apply some rough treatment to Welsh talisman Gareth Bale to stop the former Real Madrid man in the two nation’s World Cup Group B meeting in Qatar next week.

The 27-year-old Acosta, who is a current team mate of Bale’s at MLS club LA FC, explained: “Special players make special plays and he’s a guy you definitely have to be worried about… He’s a guy that we know to have eyes on, we’ve got to literally start kicking him around the field a little bit. Make him feel us. Limit his time and space. Let him be comfortable, he can really hurt you.”

Now 33, Bale has played 14 times since moving to LA FC earlier this year, mostly as a substitute, scoring three goals in all competitions. Bale’s header helped LA to their MLS Cup final win, eventually via a penalty shoot-out, earlier this month.