Robust performances from Tim Howard, Omar Gonzalez, and Michael Bradley lifted the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce previous El Salvador in a chippy Gold Cup quarterfinal match at Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
July 19, 2017
7:50 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
PHILADELPHIA—The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce superior to the semifinal of the 2017 Gold Cup after an unpleasant 2-0 win over El Salvador. The sport was powerful to look at because it was chippy, poorly officiated, and downright soiled at occasions. It was an ideal show of an unappealing model of soccer that has change into all too frequent within the CONCACAF area.
The U.S. nonetheless made too many errors however was unquestionably the higher workforce on the evening. Shifting ahead it might want to get extra manufacturing out of its forwards as each objectives got here from defenders.
That stated, profitable in CONCACAF is rarely straightforward with its usually soiled model and it will assist the workforce the remainder of this match and into the latter levels of World Cup qualifying.
The Beginning Lineup
Tim Howard: The long-time veteran got here up with an enormous save within the fourth minute after a horrible breakdown from Eric Lichaj. General, Howard was there each time the workforce wanted him. Score: 7
Justin Morrow: The Toronto left again noticed a number of touches within the first half though didn’t stand out attempting to get ahead. Defensively he answered a lot of the occasions he was examined. Score: 5
Matt Hedges: The FC Dallas captain had too many errors. He was fortunate to not concede a penalty within the twelfth minute he coughed up one other unhealthy likelihood within the fiftieth minute and was in no-man’s land on El Salvador’s finest likelihood within the 59th minute. More durable groups will make him pay. Score: 4.5
Omar Gonzalez: He gained bodily battles early and introduced a strong presence to the backline. He scored off a set piece and, except for a defensive miscue within the 63rd minute, he managed aerial sport within the field—which he ought to do. Score: 7
Eric Lichaj: The Chicago native had a nasty begin when he virtually value the U.S. workforce an early purpose with a horrible backpass. However he settled down and redeemed himself with an incredible run and end for the Yanks’ second purpose. He confirmed his upside however must keep away from errors. Score: 6.5
Gyasi Zardes: The LA Galaxy winger ought to have had an incredible likelihood however his good run within the 18th minute was incorrectly dominated offside. He was typically concerned and energetic. Apart from a number of turnovers and occasions the place he dribbled into bother, he had a great sport total. Score: 6
Michael Bradley: The captain was a welcome addition to the U.S. workforce’s midfield and helped defend the backline nicely and settle the workforce down after a tough begin. He offered a pleasant help on Gonzalez’s purpose and his set piece deliveries gave El Salvador issues. He did nicely to take care of the U.S. workforce’s superiority of the sport. Score: 7
Darlington Nagbe: He didn’t present a lot defensively as there have been occasions El Salvador was capable of transfer simply although the center of the sphere, particularly early on. However his method and motion with the ball had been first-class. No different participant on the ball was as snug as he was. Score: 6.5
Paul Arriola: The Membership Tijuana winger was gradual to become involved however finally discovered his method into the sport and have become very concerned within the first 20 minutes of the second half earlier than coming off. Score: 6
Jozy Altidore: This was an unpleasant, bodily sport and Altidore held up nicely on that entrance—even to the purpose the place he was bit by Henry Romero within the second half. He had a number of probabilities to get on the scoresheet however wasn’t in a position to take action. Nonetheless, the flexibility to struggle via a grimy opponent and maintain the ball up was helpful. Score: 5.5
Clint Dempsey: The Texan didn’t tie Landon Donovan’s scoring document however had a pleasant sport. He had good photographs saved within the nineteenth and 76th minutes however his finest second got here when he offered a spotlight reel help on Lichaj’s purpose. Score: 6
The Substitutes
Jordan Morris: The Seattle native got here on for Arriola within the sixty fifth and tried to make some performs utilizing his pace however total he was a part of nothing harmful. Score: 5.5
Kellyn Acosta: The Dallas native changed Zardes within the seventieth minute and had a number of good touches on the ball, clogging up the center of the sphere defensively. General, he didn’t have a lot to do. Score: 5.5
Chris Pontius: The Philadelphia Union man got here in late and didn’t do something of notice. Score: NR
The Coach
Bruce Enviornment: Enviornment went with a principally skilled workforce for this sport and it was the best transfer as an unpleasant, soiled sport might need flustered a younger group. This workforce was targeted and ready. After a gradual begin, the Yanks had been capable of calm down and get the job performed. Typically a coach wants to choose guys who can struggle via powerful circumstances. It wasn’t fairly or thrilling however Enviornment made the best selections to safe the win. Score: 7
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25859189/usa_today_24178677.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Jennings’ prime NFL Draft suits for Saints")
