The US U-20 group has already certified for the World Cup however now after a 1-0 win over Honduras, it has set itself up for a conflict in opposition to Mexico within the CONCACAF closing. Here is a have a look at the win.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
November 19, 2018
7:45 AM
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THE UNITED STATES is thru to the CONCACAF U-20 closing for the second consecutive cycle after defeating Honduras 1-0 in Bradenton, Florida on Monday evening. That units up a match with archrival Mexico for the title on Wednesday.
The sport itself was poor however most of that was due to the circumstances. The US had already certified for the 2019 U-20 World Cup and wanted a win or a draw to advance to the ultimate.
Honduras, however, wanted a win to achieve the ultimate however was way more enthusiastic about avoiding a 4 objective defeat – as something higher would qualify it for the World Cup.
The result’s that Honduras provided little or no going ahead, continually performed with as many gamers as attainable behind the ball, and routinely faked accidents. This occurred all through your complete 90 minute – together with the ultimate 40 minutes when Honduras trailed 1-0.
All of this made for an unappealing and unexciting sport however one which noticed each groups succeed of their targets. The US is within the closing and Honduras earned a spot within the World Cup.
The U.S. group was not practically as sharp because it was in Friday’s 4-0 romp over Costa Rica bit it bought the end result it wanted. The objective was very good and it got here within the 51st minute when Brandon Servania despatched a ball over the Honduras protection that barely deflected to Ayo Akinola. The Toronto FC attacker hit a low shot to the far submit for the sport’s solely objective.
Akinola from Servania. Good end. 1-0 United States pic.twitter.com/x9iNvgg7Al
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 20, 2018
Subsequent up shall be an attractive encounter in opposition to Mexico within the CONCACAF closing. The Mexicans superior to the ultimate after getting back from a 0-2 deficit to Panama to attract 2-2. With the primary two tiebreakers even, Mexico earned a spot within the closing having gathered only one yellow card within the second stage in contrast with Panama’s two. It’s not a complete loss for Panama, nonetheless, because it additionally earned a spot within the U-20 World Cup.
There isn’t any doubt the U.S. U-20 group has been on an ascent underneath Tab Ramos. It has certified for 2 straight World Cup quarterfinals and can now be going for its second straight CONCACAF title. Subsequent Might would be the fourth straight World Cup look underneath Ramos.
U.S. backline was robust
The US backline with Sergino Dest at proper again, Chris Gloster at left again, and a central protection mixture of Chris Richards and Mark McKenzie was excellent. Sure, Honduras not often pressed too far into the U.S. facet of the sphere however every time it did, the U.S. backline was assured and in charge of the state of affairs.
With this backline, the U.S. group can beat numerous groups, even when its midfield was struggling.
In current cycles, the U.S. group has thrived with stable central defenders. This group just isn’t deep in central protection however McKenzie and Richards have monumental potential subsequent yr on the U-20 World Cup.
At fullback, Gloster has been a workhorse. He has not often put in a flawed foot defensively and he’s sensible about when to get ahead into the assault. Equally, Dest is the most effective U-20 proper again since DeAndre Yedlin in 2013.
Akinola was MOTM
Ayo Akinola nonetheless has some holes in his sport that he must work on however there isn’t any denying that he has a nostril for the objective and will get himself into very harmful positions. When he changed the injured Ulysses Llanez within the first half in opposition to Costa Rica, he did nicely. Whereas not as technical as Llanez, he performed to his strengths nicely and scored the group’s closing objective with a first-rate header.
Tonight, Akinola was harmful on a number of events. Within the first half, he was in a harmful place on a cross however his header go simply huge. He later arrange Soto for one more massive likelihood which was missed. He then made a really good run and end on the objective.
Akinola has actually made probably the most of his likelihood at this match.
Midfield should enhance
If the US desires to defeat Mexico on Wednesday, the midfield should play higher. Granted, Mexico is not going to bunker the way in which Honduras did however the U.S. group can actually have performed higher.
Servania has had an incredible match and assisted on the objective in opposition to Honduras, however he nonetheless made too many errant passes. Mendez has additionally been maybe the most effective participant within the match on any group however was very quiet in opposition to Honduras. Frankie Amaya tried however was unable to interrupt the sport open on a number of events.
This match has been particularly grueling with out a lot relaxation between video games. Within the first stage, the U.S. group had 5 video games in 9 days after which after every week off, the U.S. group could have three video games in six days for the second stage.
If you mix the overly bodily and typically nasty type of play in CONCACAF and mix it with poor officiating, and a ridiculously condensed schedule, it’s unfair to count on lovely soccer each sport. This match is a slog.
The U.S. group has already achieved its first goal. Let’s see if there’s something left within the tank on Wednesday. Don’t be stunned if the adrenalin of taking part in an archrival with a title on the road offers an enormous enhance of power.
