ASN: 5 Key Takeaways from the U.S.’ 1-1 Draw with Portugal

American Soccer Now Contributing Editor Brian Sciaretta watched Tuesday’s draw a second time so he might give attention to sure nuances and write the analytical piece you at the moment are about to learn. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 15, 2017
6:00 PM

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WITH TUESDAY’S 1-1 draw in opposition to Portugal, the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce realized a good quantity about its participant pool. Enjoying below a caretaker supervisor on the heels of a wave of destructive publicity following a failure to qualify for the World Cup, the circumstances of the sport weren’t perfect.

For probably the most half, the gamers on the sphere in opposition to Portugal weren’t concerned in and never answerable for the Hexagonal debacle. Nonetheless, they needed to take care of the distraction it precipitated and so they responded effectively. If not for a goalkeeping blunder from Ethan Horvath, the U.S. would have gained and it was the higher squad over the course of 90 minutes.

It was notably thrilling as a result of the three teenager debutants all responded effectively—and Weston McKennie seems like he might be a particular participant. Listed here are 5 ideas on the match.

Central protection seems set

There must be a variety of turnover on this space of the sphere. Omar Gonzalez in all probability performed his final recreation for the nationwide workforce after horrible showings in September and October. Tim Ream wasn’t a lot better. Geoff Cameron will flip 37 earlier than the 2022 World Cup. Matt Besler truly was one of many higher gamers in 2017 nevertheless it’s time to maneuver on from him too.

What we have now now’s a brand new group of central defenders who appear prepared. In June, John Brooks, 24, grew to become the costliest switch ever for an American participant and the Wolfsburg man must be able to take the reins (supplied he can keep wholesome). Brooks was high notch within the first half in opposition to Portugal and so was Matt Miazga, 22, who regarded like a refined veteran. Miazga’s improvement at Vitesse has been spectacular.

Cameron Carter-Vickers additionally helped his case when he got here on within the second half. The British-born Carter-Vickers was a steadying power and it helps he’s now a daily starter for promotion-contending Sheffield United versus toiling away on Tottenam’s bench. Each Miazga and Carter-Vickers have come a good distance this yr.

Quick-rising Justen Glad will enter the combo quickly (in all probability at January camp) and Erik Palmer-Brown is ready for his European transfer in 2018. Central protection is in wonderful form to start out the rebuilding course of.

Horvath and the Goalkeeping Position

Portugal’s one objective got here from a large blunder from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath who’s struggling proper now. His begin to the 2017-18 season at Membership Brugge has not been nice and he’s on the verge of dropping his beginning spot after giving up a number of poor objectives.

The US desperately wants to maneuver on from the Howard-Guzan-Rimando trio which has been the core for over 5 years.

Horvath is definitely not out of the combo however he definitely didn’t seize the chance on Tuesday. In the meantime, second-half sub Invoice Hamid was a large enchancment and he must be within the combine. What is essential for Hamid, in fact, is to grab the beginning job at his new membership, FC Midtjylland, in Denmark.

Others may even get time within the yr forward. Zack Steffen stays a high candidate and may get his first cap in January, as will FC Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez.

McKennie lives as much as the hype

Forward of Tuesday’s match, all eyes turned to 19-year-old Weston McKennie, who lately earned a beginning central midfield job for a high 4 Bundesliga workforce.

“I want to be one of those players that are hyped up and maybe give them more stuff to hype up,” McKennie instructed American Soccer Now. “I just want to keep the train going forward.”

And he did simply that with a first-rate efficiency that can solely add gas to the hype prepare. Not solely did he rating a pleasant objective, he additionally hit the submit on a header, was a really efficient passer all through the sport, and gained balls defensively. He match very effectively into the high-pressing system the U.S. workforce utilized within the first half.

The approaching yr ought to inform us an excellent deal about this proficient teen. 

Tyler Adams is thrilling

Tyler Adams, 18, was anticipated to make his debut on this recreation nevertheless it was fascinating that Dave Sarachan gave him the beginning. The consequence was a flawed however nonetheless very optimistic efficiency from Adams.

Within the first half, Adams wasn’t all the time crisp along with his passes though he improved as the sport went on. What was necessary is that he was making very good runs off the ball that helped open up the sport. Defensively, he hustled to shut down passing lanes and power turnovers.

Above all of it, Adams did what he all the time does and introduced vitality to the sport. When the total nationwide workforce crashed out in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago, there was a complete lack of vitality. Adams brings enthusiasm and vitality to video games that the workforce can use. It’s an necessary intangible profit.

However Adams will want refinement. For the Pink Bulls he prowls all around the subject and at occasions it seems like there are three of him on the sphere without delay. That may be good however on the highest ranges, will he be allowed to do this or will he want to stay with a extra outlined position in a extra set recreation plan? Adams continues to be a piece in progress however he’s additionally younger. There isn’t any query, nevertheless, that he belongs with the senior workforce proper now. 

Sapong and Williams make a case

Kids stole the present however two gamers who aren’t precisely youngsters additionally made robust circumstances to be with the workforce. Danny Williams and C.J. Sapong will now depart Portugal having emerged as gamers who will help the workforce for awhile, even when they is perhaps too outdated for Qatar in 2022.

Williams, 28, wore the captain’s armband and performed because the lone No. 6 on the sphere. Total he held up very effectively protecting a ton of floor and enjoying effectively defensively to interrupt up probabilities earlier than they even acquired to central protection.

Sapong, 28, was very efficient in his hold-up play whereas additionally showcasing his mobility when the sport opened up. His help to McKennie was good play and he additionally had a number of moments the place he was an asset to the assault. He deserves an prolonged look in January.

There are simply not sufficient forwards within the U.S. participant pool proper now. Jozy Altidore is struggling, Jordan Morris is injured, Bobby Wooden’s “lingering” knee drawback have to be of a priority, and Clint Dempsey turns 35 in March. Different younger choices like Josh Sargent and Tim Weah have but to even play professionally. Sapong just isn’t a foul possibility for now.

As tempting as it’s, the U.S. can’t go together with all very younger gamers within the yr forward. There’ll should be some gamers of their prime years contributing and never just for expertise and management. There may be a variety of necessary soccer to be performed forward of 2022 and veterans like Sapong and Williams will be helpful.