ASN: 4 Ideas on the U.S. U-17s 5-0 Victory Towards Cuba

Richie Williams’ under-17 squad squad did not fiddle in its first World Cup qualifying match, crushing Cuba, 5-0, behind Joe Gallardo’s hat trick and a formidable show from Christian Pulisic.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 28, 2015
8:53 AM

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THE UNITED STATES U-17 nationwide staff opened its World Cup qualifying marketing campaign with a formidable 5-0 win over Group A opponent Cuba yesterday in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Whereas the opponent was weak, the People seemed ready and dominated the sport from the opening whistle.

Cuba’s hopes for an upset light early when Hugo Arellano headed dwelling a Christian Pulisic nook kick within the fifth minute. For Arellano, a product of the Los Angeles Galaxy academy, the objective was his second for the U-17 staff and his first of 2015.

The younger Yanks handled a setback within the twenty eighth minute when midfielder Eric Calvillo suffered a decrease leg harm which compelled head coach Richie Williams to go to his bench sooner than anticipated and sub Purple Bulls Academy product Tyler Adams into the sport.

Within the fortieth minute, the U.S. doubled its lead when FC Dallas midfielder Alejandro Zendejas performed Pulisic into the proper aspect of the field. The Borussia Dortmund playmaker—among the best gamers within the match—picked up his second help with a low cross that Monterrey’s Joe Gallardo completed with ease from shut vary.

Solely three minutes later, Zendejas put the sport away when he took benefit of a poor clearance from Cuba’s protection and fired dwelling an ideal drive from simply contained in the field. It was Zendejas’ fourth objective for the U-17 staff this cycle.

Within the sixty fourth minute, Gallardo turned the sport right into a rout along with his second strike of the sport when he took a move from substitute Fulham’s Luca de la Torre and hit a protracted shot from outdoors the field that discovered its well past Cuban keeper Jesus Henrique Hernandez for a 4-0 lead. With two minutes left in regulation, Gallardo accomplished his hat trick and completed the scoring.

The U.S., 4-1-0 to date in 2015, will now face Trinidad & Tobago in its second sport of the match on Monday. Listed below are some takeaways from the opening match.

1. Expectations Met, to date

United States youth groups haven’t at all times performed as much as expectations in recent times, with the 2011 U-20 staff, the 2012 U-23s, and the 2013 U-17s all failing to qualify for his or her pinnacle competitions. Even when different U.S. youth squads groups have managed to qualify for World Cups, they’ve not often stood out in opposition to CONCACAF competitors.

This U-17 staff has had a whole lot of expectations and it delivered in its opening sport. Sure, this Cuban staff was in all probability the weakest aspect the U.S. will face, however Richie Williams’ staff didn’t play all the way down to the extent of its competitors. It took Cuba out of the sport early, outclassed its opponents in each aspect of the sport, and by no means took its foot off the fuel pedal. Taking part in as much as expectations, whatever the energy of the opponent, is an indication of preparation and confidence.

Defensively, the staff has not but been examined. However the offense has so many various scoring choices that it will be very troublesome for different CONCACAF groups to cease.

2. Sturdy Effort from Joe Gallardo
Gallardo, one of many extra gifted gamers on this sturdy U.S. staff, suffered a damaged leg in August whereas enjoying for the U-17s and there have been doubts about his means to get better in time. His hat trick yesterday put these considerations to relaxation.

Damaged legs have stunted the event of a number of U.S. youth prospects in recent times—most notably Marc Pelosi and Will Packwood. Like these two, Gallardo seems to have made a full restoration and acquired a pleasant reward for the laborious work he put in throughout rehabilitation.

3. Pulisic seems poised to ship

After signing a profitable take care of Borussia Dortmund and incomes rave critiques from the German media, Christian Pulisic confronted lofty expectations forward of this match. Generally with youth prospects there’s a “deer in the headlights” response as soon as the hype machine begins and they’re requested to ship.

Pulisic seemed as much as the duty and got here out with assists on the primary two objectives. The competitors will get more durable however Pulisic is off to a really sturdy begin.

4. Discipline Circumstances Not a Issue

Typically the enjoying situations in CONCACAF areas outdoors of the USA and Mexico are poor. In January’s U-20 qualifying match in Jamaica, the enjoying floor was so uneven that each staff struggled to maintain the ball on the bottom.

Although removed from very best, the situations at Estadio Francisco Morazán weren’t as dangerous as these the U-20s confronted in Jamaica. The staff was in a position to preserve possession and construct assaults by means of the midfield fairly than resorting to a long-ball, “Route 1” method.

Final month U.S. soccer organized a visit for the U.S. U-17 staff to journey to Honduras and play and prepare within the stadium it performed in yesterday. Did the funding repay? Arduous to say at this level, however the squad’s sturdy begin is actually encouraging.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.