ASN: USMNT – Honduras preview: Yanks look to kick off an vital interval

The USMNT will host Honduras in Denver within the semifinal of the 2021 Nations League. Brian Sciaretta previews the sport for ASN

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
June 02, 2021
8:05 PM

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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM is about to play in its first aggressive recreation on Thursday evening when it meets Honduras in Denver within the semifinal of the CONCACAF Nations League. The chance will serve a number of functions for supervisor Gregg Berhalter in that it’s going to enable his staff to compete for silverware whereas additionally getting ready for World Cup qualifying beginning within the fall.

The present roster accommodates a lot of the staff’s key gamers though July’s Gold Cup will possible be used to fill out vital depth all through the roster.

One of the vital vital themes we’ve heard mentioned since camp opened final week in Switzerland is that Berhalter needs to simulate the scenario the staff will encounter at World Cup qualifying with three recreation worldwide home windows. What that entails is some extent of squad rotation and larger endurance for his gamers.

Mixed with Sunday’s pleasant in opposition to Switzerland, the Nations League semifinal on Thursday, the ultimate or third place recreation on Sunday, and the Costa Rica pleasant on Wednesday – Berhatler believes he’ll simulate the qualifying window.

When it comes to how a lot rotation he’ll make use of, the sport in opposition to Honduras ought to present some perception. Final week, whereas admiring Chelsea’s run within the Champions League, Berhalter stated he observed the membership may rotate three or 4 gamers and the “level doesn’t seem to drop.”

When wanting on the three-game home windows, it appears tough to begin a given participant in all three video games. For the Nations League, some gamers are possible going to have to begin each rounds – particularly if the U.S. advances to the ultimate. Then for Costa Rica, maybe issues get switched round.

In deciding on his lineup at present, Berhatler will possible should maintain an eye fixed in direction of the ultimate – which is what he should do come qualifying by way of planning for subsequent video games.

Key questions for the lineup

Enter Pulisic and Steffen

What we all know is that Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen will enter the beginning lineup in opposition to Honduras. The Pennsylvania duo was a part of the Champions League closing and Pulisic turned the primary American participant to play and win the world’s prime membership recreation.

As Berhalter stated from Switzerland – “you try telling Christian Pulisic that he won’t start” in opposition to Honduras. Though, you possibly can guess that if the USA will get a wholesome lead in some unspecified time in the future, Berhalter will take Pulisic out to save lots of power for the ultimate.

Steffen and Pulisic shall be two key additions to the beginning lineup from the loss to Switzerland. It’s possible there shall be extra.

The Entrance Line

Brenden Aaronson and Gio Reyna began on the wings in opposition to Switzerland. It looks as if Pulisic will exchange Aaronson on the left facet for the 2 Nations League video games. Reyna appears more likely to begin on the appropriate facet, though Tim Weah might be in consideration.

It appears possible that Josh Sargent will begin up prime though Jordan Siebatcheu appears more likely to get enjoying time as properly. Berhalter indicated he was happy with Sargent’s effort, regardless of him not scoring. Siebatcheu, in the meantime, solely had three touches after coming into the sport within the 72nd minute.

At this level, beginning Siebatcheu in his first aggressive recreation with the U.S. staff appears a bridge too far – nevertheless it additionally appears possible Siebatcheu will play a giant position off the bench within the Nations League.

The Midfield

This space of the sector looks as if the hardest to foretell outdoors of the apparent notice that Weston McKennie will begin. If Pulisic goes to begin, it appears virtually sure McKennie will begin to put together for the ultimate. McKennie additionally appears more likely to get eliminated if the U.S. staff can construct up a multigoal lead.

If McKennie begins on the No. 8, the opposite two midfield positions aren’t settled.

It was a really promising signal that Tyler Adams was not faraway from the roster forward of Wednesday’s deadline. The Leipzig defensive midfielder has been battling again points and hasn’t performed since April 25 – a span of now 5 and a half weeks. The truth that Berhalter is preserving him on the staff is a testomony of how helpful he’s and that preserving him is “a risk worth taking” because the coach stated final week.

That being stated, it’s onerous to see Adams beginning proper off the bat. One of the best-case state of affairs is perhaps bench minutes in opposition to Honduras, and a begin within the closing – if potential.

The No. 6 place will fall to both Jackson Yueill or Kellyn Acosta. Yueill offers ability on the ball and is quick, though Berhalter would possibly require extra defensive chunk in closing down on attackers. Yueill was respectable in opposition to Switzerland however Acosta was sharp off the bench and linked on all 15 of his passes.

McKennie’s associate within the extra superior midfield place will both fall to Yunus Musah or Sebastian Lletget. Musah is definitely some of the thrilling additions to the participant pool over the previous yr whereas Sebastian Lletget has been nothing however strong for the staff because the return from the COVID shutdown.

If we’re taking a look at squad rotation points, Yueill and Acosta would possibly rotate within the coming video games together with Musah and Lletget.

The Backline

In central protection, it appears possible that Berhalter will roll with John Brooks and Mark McKenzie. Whereas he didn’t have a superb recreation in opposition to Switzerland, Brooks remains to be the perfect left-footed central defender on the staff. In the meantime, McKenzie is the recent hand in the mean time. McKenzie was named to the Belgian Crew of the Week the final two weeks of the season and was the staff’s greatest defender in opposition to Switzerland.

The fullback place just isn’t as settled. Sergino Dest had a troublesome recreation in opposition to Switzerland however is without doubt one of the greatest gamers on the staff. He’ll begin nevertheless it stays to be seen if he’s on the appropriate or left facet. If he’s on the appropriate, Antonee Robinson begins on the left.

If Dest begins on the left, it’s going to both be Reggie Cannon or DeAndre Yedlin on the appropriate. Dest and Yedlin would seemingly give Berhalter his most skilled set of fullbacks – and that’s one thing to think about ought to the U.S. make the ultimate. In opposition to Honduras, this is perhaps the time to check Robinson on the left in a significant recreation.

Lineup prediction

        GK: Zack Steffen
        LB: Antonee Robinson
        CB: John Brooks
        CB: Mark McKenzie
        RB: Sergino Dest
        D-Mid: Jackson Yueill
        Mid: Weston McKennie
        Mid: Sebastian Lletget
        LW: Christian Pulisic
        RW: Gio Reyna
        FW: Josh Sargent

The problem of Honduras

Traditionally, Honduras has typically been a difficult opponent for the U.S. staff however Berhalter is the clear favourite on this recreation.

The present U.S. staff is coming off a European season the place the roster accrued 12 items of silverware. 14 of the 23 gamers are both at the moment or have performed within the “Big Five” leagues in Europe. 13 gamers on the roster have been a part of groups that certified for both the Champions League or its qualifying phases subsequent season.

Honduras, nonetheless, is making an attempt to show youthful though it nonetheless has captain Maynor Figueroa (age 38) and Boniek Garcia (age 37) main the way in which.

Its two greatest gamers are Cadiz ahead Anthony Lozano and former Houston Dynamo winger Alberth Elis. Elis is now teammates with Reggie Cannon at Boavista and scored eight objectives for Boavista – which was crucial in direction of avoiding relegation.

The U.S. staff has the sting in expertise however Honduras shall be seeking to make up for that in familiarity and chemistry, which have been hallmarks of the staff prior to now.

Tactical Strategy

The U.S. staff shall be seeking to press up the wings on this one – particularly if Robinson will get the beginning at left again. With Pulisic and Reyna on the wings and Dest and Robinson at fullbacks, it’s virtually assured that the U.S. shall be lively from large areas.

In fact, that ought to present Sargent with the service which he has been lacking at Werder Bremen. With the purpose of stretching Honduras large, that ought to open the door for attacking midfielders who may need more room. Sebastian Lletget has been pink scorching and he ought to have more room to work with.

The query for the U.S. staff shall be on the defensive facet. Will the wingers observe again adequately? Will the fullbacks not get caught up the sector? Will the central defenders not depart an excessive amount of house between them? Will the No. 6 shut down adequately. Will McKennie be that disruptive drive that he’s identified to be?

The U.S. staff has the firepower on this recreation however will probably be about using that whereas getting again into defensive form rapidly. If not, Honduras is a staff that may choose these errors aside in a short time and successfully.

Last ideas

CONCACAF just isn’t one of many strongest areas of the world however it may be tough. Video games might be scrappy, feisty, and typically uncontrolled. The higher the U.S. staff turns into, the extra bodily tough the video games can turn out to be.

When the U.S. was profitable in World Cup qualifying (successful the Hex in 2009 and 2013), the staff’s greatest gamers have been very properly versed into the fashion of soccer on this area. This present group lacks that have and the Nations League goes to function a helpful alternative to be taught.

We’re additionally going to study Berhalter’s strategy and the way he plans to rotate gamers and proceed to be aggressive. The participant pool goes to should be deep to get by means of qualifying and, if profitable, push gamers for spots on the World Cup staff.

It looks as if this recreation on Honduras is a giant turning level during the last a number of years relationship again to the beginning of Dave Sarachan’s tenure. Issues are transferring from the “building” section and right into a extra concrete and aggressive period.