ASN: After Two Losses to Brazil, U.S. U-23s Have to Retool

Andi Hezog’s U.S. under-23 crew must get previous Colombia in March to be able to attain the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However two poor showings in Brazil recommend this crew has a protracted option to go.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 17, 2015
11:30 AM

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THE UNITED STATES U-23 TEAM lately accomplished a two-game collection towards Brazil, and the squad was totally outplayed on each events. It was an eye-opening spectacle—one that exposed simply how weak this crew is regardless of practically a full yr underneath the route of head coach Andi Herzog.

The finals scores of 2-1 and 5-1 inform solely a part of the story. The People had been dominated all through each contests. Brazil had an enormous majority of possession and was capable of decide aside the U.S. backline. The Yanks struggled to win the ball again to regain management, and on the uncommon occasions the ushad the ball, it was by no means harmful.

Its solely two targets got here from an personal aim, and a penalty after a careless Brazilian problem. Brazil is far more gifted than the US, however that doesn’t excuse a U.S. facet that has performed a ton of labor with little or no return on the funding.

Herzog’s crew has proven no actual enchancment—why?

Many gamers are struggling

Not simply within the group of gamers in Brazil, but in addition within the group for qualifying, one factor was hanging: The struggles have been shared throughout the board. MLS gamers have been poor, European-based gamers have been poor, and Mexican-based gamers have been poor.

If you happen to have a look at the core of this crew, one factor that stands out is that so a lot of them are new to the worldwide sport. Typically, what you wish to see a wholesome variety of gamers progressively progressing upward via the system.

The issue, basically, is that there’s little overlap between those that have each moved up via the ranks of U.S. Soccer and people who are incomes common minutes for his or her respective golf equipment. It’s an enormous disconnect that has left Herzog little to work with.

The 2013 U-20 World Cup crew ought to have supplied the core of this group, however that class has been an infinite disappointment, with Shane O’Neil, Alonso Hernandez, Mario Rodriguez, Caleb Stanko, Daniel Cuevas, Juan Pablo Ocegueda, Victor Pineda, Mikey Lopez, and Javan Torre amongst those that have didn’t progress. Luis Gil, in the meantime, stays professionally skilled however had a tough yr with Actual Salt Lake.

From that cycle, solely Cody Cropper, Wil Trapp, Kellyn Acosta, and DeAndre Yedlin have proven the kind of improvement you’d wish to see.

A critical makeover is required

Few would argue that the US will enter its collection towards Colombia in March because the heavy underdog.

If the People are to have an opportunity at an upset, Herzog wants to return to the drafting board—rapidly. It will likely be tough to rebuild this crew, after all, since solely the January camp stays to guage gamers, and most European-based gamers received’t even be capable of attend.

The one different Herzog has, although, is the established order. And that’s clearly not ok.

New gamers to contemplate

For the U.S. U-23s to have a legit likelihood at defeating Colombia, Herzog wants to steer Jurgen Klinsmann to let him have entry to all eligible gamers. Meaning Yedlin, John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Jordan Morris, and Rubio Rubin.

Others to contemplate:

Kellyn Acosta: The FC Dallas homegrown participant struggled on the U-20 World Cup whereas being requested to play out of place as a left again. However as a central midfielder, he’s been superb for a Dallas facet that simply missed out on the Supporters’ Defend and is now making a push for MLS Cup.

Amadou Dia: The left again from Sporting Kansas Metropolis had a powerful second half of the season in MLS, making him one of many uncommon U-23-eligible fullbacks incomes first-team minutes.

Desevio Payne: After a really robust U-20 World Cup, the skin again was not capable of transition to the U-23 crew due to an ankle harm. That has since healed, nevertheless, and he’s again on the primary crew at FC Groningen within the Netherlands.

Paul Arriola: The winger at Tijuana had a really strong U-20 World Cup each on the ball and defensively. He’s an excellent locker-room participant, too, with an engine to push for a full 90 minutes and the flexibility to make issues occur within the closing third.

Tim Parker: The Vancouver Whitecaps central defender has been among the finest rookies within the league after incomes a beginning spot, serving to the Whitecaps each to the playoffs and the Canadian Championship.

Sean Davis: The New York Purple Bulls central midfielder has not earned common minutes due to having to play behind Sacha Kljestan and Dax McCarty, however when Davis has been on the sector, he’s persistently proven nicely.

Jose Villarreal: The Los Angeles Galaxy ahead has been a staple of U.S. youth nationwide groups for years. Taking part in behind international-caliber expertise like Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes, and Giovani Dos Santos has confirmed to be a problem, however like Davis, Villarreal has performed nicely when given the chance.

Walker Zimmerman: The FC Dallas central defender was wrongly disregarded of that since-stagnated 2013 U-20 World Cup group however is now a hero in Dallas after approaching as an alternative and eliminating Seattle.

21 Names for Colombia

As of this second, right here is the crew I would wish to see in these March matches towards Colombia.

Goalkeepers: Cody Cropper, Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen

Defenders: DeAndre Yedlin, Desevio Payne, Amadou Dia, John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tim Parker

Midfielders: Wil Trapp, Luis Gil, Gedion Zelalem, Kellyn Acosta, Dillon Serna, Marc Pelosi, Paul Arriola

Forwards: Jose Villarreal, Rubio Rubin, Jordan Morris, Jerome Kiesewetter

That is my take. Share yours within the Feedback part under.