America concluded 2020 with a convincing 6-0 rout over poor El Salvador group. The consequence will not be remembered for lengthy however the sport and camp was a worthwhile expertise to judge the participant pool for the U.S. group and the U-23 groups. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta provides you his ideas on the sport.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
December 09, 2020
10:30 PM
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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL group concluded its 2020 calendar 12 months with a convincing 6-0 win over an El Salvador group that was fully matched from the opening whistle. The U.S. began very robust with 5 first-half objectives earlier than coasting within the second half.
The U.S. opened the scoring with a aim from Paul Arriola and he was joined by Chris Muller scoring twice and Sebastian Lletget, Ayo Akinola, and Brenden Aaronson every including one.
Over the 90 minutes, the U.S. group was higher in all aspects and, whereas it took its foot off the fuel pedal the final half-hour of the sport, it by no means performed all the way down to the extent of its opponent.
It should be talked about that El Salvador was very poor on this sport and also you don’t wish to draw an excessive amount of from this sport. That doesn’t imply it wasn’t a worthwhile expertise. For one, it wasn’t only one sport. U.S. supervisor Gregg Berhalter had the chance to look at these gamers all through a complete camp that may also assist him type by means of the participant pool.
Additionally, this was a lot better than a typical January camp sport both. In January camp, the primary half is usually spent making an attempt to shake off rust as a result of being in low season type. The video games are sometimes disjointed and with out chemistry. With most of those gamers nonetheless match and in-form because of the season having simply been accomplished, it allowed Berhalter to conduct camp at a extra superior stage than January.
With that stated, listed below are my ideas on the sport
Mueller was the MOTM
Chris Mueller, 24, was simply the Man of the Match on this sport. He scored twice, assisted as soon as, and had one other deflected move that arrange one other aim. This was additionally spectacular provided that this was his first worldwide call-up at any stage – with no youth nationwide group call-ups in his previous.
What was fascinating with Mueller is that he performed with plenty of emotion early and easily outworked opponents to get into harmful areas. His second aim, a diving header off of a Julian Araujo cross, was the most effective spotlight of the evening.
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 10, 2020
The U.S. nationwide group pool stays very aggressive on the wings with Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna (who would possibly settle centrally), Jordan Morris, Konrad de la Fuente, Uly Llanez, and others making a robust case proper now. However subsequent 12 months with the Olympics, the Nations League , and the Gold Cup going down, Mueller is in a great place to proceed to get appears to be like sooner or later. Then it will likely be as much as him.
On this sport, his numbers have been strong:
90 minutes
42 touches
2 objectives
1 help
21/26 passing (80%)
17 of 21 accomplished passes in attacking half
1 dribble
3x fouled
5 duels received (5 misplaced)
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 10, 2020
Arriola was sharp
It all the time appeared like Gregg Berhalter favored what Paul Arriola dropped at the group however heading into this sport, there have been questions on Arriola’s health and sharpness given him lacking all however the ultimate sport of the season as a result of a torn ACL.
However Arriola seemed in nice form for this sport. Whereas he was all the time in a position to deal with the bodily facet of the sport, Arriola seemed like he had placed on muscle throughout his time away. He additionally seemed cell and fast. Arriola typically struggles together with his ultimate ball within the attacking third however on this one, he was on however even when he struggles, he covers a ton of floor and might play protection at a excessive stage.
On this sport, Arriola performed plenty of protection whereas additionally managing 4 photographs throughout his 58 minutes. He received three duels whereas solely shedding one. He accomplished 21 out of 27 of his passes with 16/21 accomplished passes coming within the attacking half.
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 10, 2020
It was a great finish to a brutal 2020 for Arriola.
Yueill’s physicality
Jackson Yueill, 23, can move and distribute the ball properly however how is his protection and might he deal with the bodily facet of the sport properly? Whereas El Salvador is a poor group, they examined Yueill on this one and the Minnesota native responded properly. Over 90 minutes, he was fouled 5 occasions however received all 4 of his aerials and had a really excessive variety of touches.
U.S. Soccer views the Olympics as essential and lacking out on the final two Olympics have been seen as massive blows to this system. Yueill goes to be a giant a part of that U-23 qualifying group and if he performs like he did tonight, he may assist get the group to Tokyo.
Whereas Arriola, Mueller, and Aaronson stood out probably the most, Yueill’s numbers deserve extra consideration.
90 minutes
84 touches
84% passing (58/69)
6/11 correct lengthy balls
3 key passes
1 help
9 duels received (2 misplaced)
4 aerials received (0 misplaced)
1 dribble
5x fouled
Aaronson appears to be like prepared for bounce
Brenden Aaronson, 20, has performed his final sport for Philadelphia and in January he’ll head to Austria to play for Purple Bull Salzburg. Earlier than this sport, Berhalter needed to see Aaronson successfully run the assault for this group and carry over his robust play for Philadelphia into the nationwide group.
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 10, 2020
On this sport, Aaronson was efficient as he scored a aim and was usually the chief playmaker in a sophisticated place.
90 minutes
57 touches
2 photographs
1 aim
2 key passes
3 possibilities created
84% passing (33/39)
2 duels received (3 misplaced)
There needs to be loads of causes to be optimistic for Aaronson’s success subsequent 12 months in Austria – with Europa league video games and one other Austrian Bundesliga title hunt underway.
U.S. U-23 outlook
In whole, 15 gamers on the roster have been eligible for the U.S. U-23 group and with Olympic qualifying probably taking place in March, there may be actually a watch in the direction of that group.
Three of the group’s 4 beginning defenders have been eligible for the U-23 group in central defender Mark McKenzie, proper again Julian Araujo, and left again Sam Vines. Within the midfield, Aaronson, Yueill, together with ahead Ayo Akinola have been additionally eligible for the Olympics though Aaronson’s involvement in qualifying is unlikely.
Off the bench, Djordje Mihailovic, Kyle Duncan, Marco Farfan, and Sebastian Soto have been additionally eligible. In camp, Berhalter additionally received the possibility to view Daryl Dike, Cole Bassett, Mauricio Pineda, and goalkeepers CJ Dos Santos, and JT Marcinkowski.
Whereas the U.S. U-23 group has not had any camps but since its qualifying event was postponed in March, this camp was a step in the direction of getting ready that group and Berhalter and U.S. U-23 head coach Jason Kreis needs to be happy with what they noticed from that group’s core.
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