ASN: Evaluation: Robinson’s purpose provides the USMNT 1-0 win vs. El Salvador

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 27, 2022
7:05 PM

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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL workforce didn’t win huge or win fairly on Thursday towards El Salvador – nevertheless it gained. In the long run, three factors is three factors and the 1-0 victory places Gregg Berhalter in nice place in World Cup qualifying with 5 video games remaining.

The U.S. workforce had the possibility to take the lead early and set the tone however missed a number of possibilities – together with two by Jesus Ferreira and this stored El Salvador alive and motivated. Regardless of not ending effectively, the U.S. workforce stored up the strain for many of the sport.

Within the second half, the U.S. workforce lastly discovered a breakthrough within the 52nd minute when Tim Weah dribbled into the field. His shot was deflected up, however discovered Ferreira close to the penalty spot. Ferreira swung a header broad to Antonee Robinson who completed from shut vary to provide america a 1-0 lead.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) January 28, 2022

For the rest of the half, the U.S. workforce would sustain the strain however fail to increase the lead. It’s finest possibilities got here on set items when Weston McKennie and Gyasi Zardes would head nook kicks over the bar.

Along with the win, america prevented any yellow playing cards and may have no gamers suspended for the Canada sport.

Listed below are my ideas on the sport.

Glorious fullback play

The U.S. workforce has been robust at each fullback positions up to now in World Cup qualifying. Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest have each scored and assisted at numerous factors in qualifying. Dest had a giant purpose towards Costa Rica. Robinson has had huge objectives towards Honduras after which tonight. It has develop into a giant a part of the U.S. workforce underneath Berhalter.

Robinson has improved mightily over the previous 12 months and a half (because the COVID shutdown) and his function within the U.S. workforce has grown dramatically. On this sport, it was extra than simply the purpose. Robinson was very harmful presence.

Dest additionally had a constructive affect on the sport and was necessary in conserving the U.S. in charge of this sport.

U.S. protection robust up the center

El Salvador had just a few half-chances however typically didn’t take a look at the U.S. workforce an excessive amount of. Matt Turner didn’t need to make a single save.

Defensively, one of many strongest areas for the U.S. workforce is the triangle of Tyler Adams sitting in entrance of the central protection pairing of Chris Richards and Walker Zimmerman. That could be a robust defensive contingent sitting in entrance of Turner and on this one, all three performed effectively. It didn’t seem to be El Salvador was ever an excessive amount of of a risk.

Off-night for Pulisic

There are at all times a ton of expectations on Christian Pulisic and when he struggles, it stands out. That’s the worth of being among the best gamers in your entire area.

There isn’t a denying that Pulisic was merely not good on this sport. Most notably, he was solely 2/15 in his duels and was dispossessed 9 occasions earlier than getting pulled within the sixty fourth minute. There was additionally determination making and on one break within the first half, he missed a large open Tim Weah to his proper solely to power it down the left facet that was effectively coated.

Pulisic didn’t have it tonight, however he’s nonetheless an incredible participant. Now will probably be up for him to shake it off to get again into kind for a tricky go to to Canada on Sunday.

Waiting for Canada

Canada defeated Honduras 2-0 on the highway on Thursday and can now make the journey again house to face america in Hamilton.

As soon as once more, the situations might be robust. Whereas will probably be performed within the afternoon, the forecast requires a excessive of 23 levels with an opportunity of snow. On prime of that, will probably be performed on synthetic grass. This sport gained’t be fairly and will probably be a grind. Berhalter most likely gained’t make too many modifications. He’ll most likely begin both Zardes or Ricardo Pepi up prime. It’s exhausting to see Adams or McKennie getting changed. If there’s a change within the midfield, maybe it’s Musah instead of somebody used to taking part in in horrible CONCACAF situations.

The chance is there for america. A draw will surely be acceptable however a win would put the U.S. workforce in an impressive place – first within the group, taking part in for a nine-point window that may primarily e-book a ticket to Qatar. With Panama dropping to Costa Rica, the USMNT, CAnada, and Mexico have separated themselves from the pack a bit.

Nice evening for the #USMNT, Canada, and Mexico. With Panama falling in Costa Rica, there’s now clear separation between them and the remainder within the Octagon. pic.twitter.com/45tppjN11H

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 28, 2022

Participant scores

The beginning lineup

Matt Turner: The New England Revolution keeper (for now) didn’t need to make a save however his distribution was truly robust as he related with 4/6 lengthy balls and twice performed Antonee Robinson up the sphere able to make a break. Ranking: 6.0

Antonee Robinson: The Fulham left again was the most effective participant on the sphere for this sport. He scored the one purpose and was harmful all through. Ranking: 8.0

Chris Richards: The Hoffenheim central defender was an necessary a part of conserving El Salvador off the board. One robust second when he failed to shut down on Alex Roldan who missed a shot simply broad. However Richards was typically regular. Ranking: 6.5

Walker Zimmerman: The Nashville central defender was his standard regular self within the again. He had just a few efficient passes out of the again into the assault, gained most of his duels, and contained the center. He nonetheless must be a bit of extra of a presence on set items as a result of he is likely one of the workforce’s predominant targets. Ranking: 7.0

Sergino Dest: The Barcelona proper again labored exhausting on each side of the ball – profitable 12/21 duels, developing with huge tackles, after which with the ball he was at all times trying to advance it ahead. Ranking: 6.5

Tyler Adams: Sitting in entrance of the backline, Adams did a variety of the soiled work and stored El Salvador a bay. He was additionally efficient in possession – getting the ball ahead into superior possessions. He performed the defensive midfield place effectively and prevented a yellow card which might have suspended him towards Canada. Ranking: 7.5

Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder had some robust giveaways however he introduced vitality to the sport that ensured that the U.S. workforce was in charge of the sport. Ranking: 6.5

Yunus Musah: Musah’s mixture play on the evening was missing on the left facet and he appeared to lack chemistry with Pulisic. The Valencia midfielder, nonetheless, had just a few good particular person moments which created hazard together with a side-footed shot within the second half which compelled a save. Ranking: 6.0

Christian Pulisic: It was a really robust sport for the U.S. workforce’s finest participant who simply didn’t have it. He was dispossessed so much, misplaced most of his duels, and his determination making have been all lower than his normal. Ranking: 4.5

Tim Weah: The Lille winger was a handful to defend and was concerned in lots of the workforce’s finest possibilities. His dribbling drew a variety of consideration from El Salvador’s defenders. Ranking: 6.5

Jesus Ferreira: The FC Dallas attacker missed two possibilities early within the sport – which he helped to create for himself. However he labored effectively with others and arrange possibilities for Pulisic within the first half and Musah within the second. His exhausting work paid off within the second half when he assisted on Robinson’s purpose. He additionally gained a giant share of his duels (8/12) – which helped within the press and the possession edge and was credited with 4 key passes. It was a great outing, however he ought to have completed a type of two possibilities.  Ranking: 6.5

The Substitutes

Brenden Aaronson: The Salzburg winger got here into the sport within the sixty fifth minute. He wasn’t a part of something too harmful however he helped maintain the U.S. on the entrance foot. Ranking: 6.0

Jordan Morris: Was a part of a double substitution within the 72nd minute and had just a few good runs however was largely quiet. Ranking: 5.5

Gyasi Zardes: The ahead changed Pepi. He hit a header over the bar which he ought to have gotten on body however he did effectively in a hold-up state of affairs that performed Antonee Robinson into the assault for an opportunity. Ranking: 5.5

Kellyn Acosta: Late cameo. Ranking: NR