The current U-23 camp was decidedly combined in its performances with a 1-0 loss to a really gifted Brazil group and a 4-0 win over a last-minute alternative within the Canary Islands. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta seems on the good and unhealthy.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
November 17, 2019
7:00 PM
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THE UNITED STATES U-23 group just lately accomplished its November camp in Spain that was combined, and at occasions rocky. With Olympic qualifying 4 months away, the U.S. group accomplished its 2019 schedule with a 1-0 loss to Brazil and a 4-0 win over a Canary Islands choose group.
The group will now head to January the place it should have an prolonged camp for preparation. Then it may presumably have yet another extra camp in both February or the tip of March which can function its ultimate tune-up.
If this camp was about participant evaluations, it was essential and it provided some clear classes.
The 1-0 loss to Brazil
On Thursday, the US misplaced 1-0 to a Brazil group loaded with very, very costly gamers. There isn’t any shaming in dropping to a group of that expertise, however the U.S. group didn’t put up a lot of a combat – significantly within the first half.
Taking part in the standard Gregg Berhalter-style, the U.S. struggled to play out of the again and Brazil’s press was very efficient. The objective occurred when Hassani Dotson grew to become remoted and turned the ball-over with little assist surrounding him. Brazil moved rapidly right into a harmful place and beat goalkeeper Matt Freese with a shot that was savable.
Within the second, a number of changes helped. Within the midfield, Christian Cappis and Brendan Aaronson did nicely within the midfield nevertheless it was nonetheless Brazil that had the higher hand.
The 4-0 win over Canary Islands
The 4-0 win over the Canary Islands noticed the U.S. group placed on a really common efficiency with considerably modified beginning XI. This sport ought to have been the loser of Argentina and Chile however with Chile not capable of ship a squad, the Canary Islands U-25 choose group was an emergency alternative.
The standard of the match was not good and the U.S. at occasions performed all the way down to the extent of a really weak opponent. It wasn’t till the 56th minute when the U.S. took the lead through a objective from Sebastian Saucedo, who wore the armband.
The scoring was rounded out with Brooks Lennon scoring within the sixtieth minute and once more within the 84th minute. Richard Ledezma scored the finale within the 87th minute on a cross from Antonee Robinson.
What was discovered?Central midfield stays aggressive
Even with out Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, the central midfield positions are aggressive. The gamers within the swimming pools include Brendan Aaronson, Djordje Mihailovic, Keaton Parks, Christian Cappis, Chris Durkin, Alex Mendez, Richard Ledezma, Brandon Servania, Hassani Dotoson, Paxton Pomykal, and Jackson Yueill (who will possible come down from the total nationwide group in 2020).
The excellent news with that a lot competitions is that gamers must carry out nicely, or else they are often changed. Head coach Jason Kreis has loads of choices.
On this case, Djordje Mihialovic struggled immensely towards Brazil. He wasn’t capable of make performs and ceaselessly turned the ball over. He has put himself right into a place the place he may get reduce as soon as Pomykal returns from damage or Jackson Yueill drops all the way down to the total nationwide group.
Left again
Left again Sam Vines additionally had a foul efficiency towards Brazil – which ceaselessly focused his facet versus Aaron Herrera who was far steadier on the fitting facet.
The issue with Olympic qualifying is it’s unsure which gamers will probably be launched. The perfect choice at left again is Antonee Robinson, who has been a longtime starter for 3 seasons. If he’s not launched, Chris Gloster would even be a reliable choice.
Central protection stays stable
Central protection stays a gradual space of this group. Justen Glad had some good moments and a few unhealthy moments towards Brazil. Mark McKenzie was largely stable. Chris Richards had a excessive degree of potential and Cameron Carter-Vickers is vastly skilled regardless of Stoke Metropolis’s brutal begin to the Championship season.
These 4 stay in competition to make the qualifying group however Miles Robinson will possible exchange a type of 4 – and whether or not or not Carter-Vickers or Richards are launched may determine which one.
A possible qualifying roster
Utilizing an analogous roster make-up of earlier tournaments, here’s what the group may seem like in a 21-player roster with two goalkeepers.
Goalkeepers (2): Matt Freese, J.T. Marcinkowski
Defenders (7): Reggie Cannon, Aaron Herrera, Miles Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, Chris Gloster, Antonee Robinson
Midfielders (7): Hassani Dotson, Christian Cappis, Brendan Aaronson, Jackson Yueill, Alex Mendez, Paxton Pomykal, Richard Ledezma
Forwards/Wingers (5): Jeremy Ebobisse, Sebastian Soto, Sebastian Saucedo, Jonathan Lewis, Brooks Lennon
Primarily based on this camp and former camps, that’s one potential roster. Nonetheless there are such a lot of variables that would throw it off. The difficulty of releasing gamers jeopardizes seven gamers in Sebastian Soto, Christian Cappis, Alex Mendez, Richard Ledezma, Chris Gloster, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Antonee Robinson.
If they aren’t launched, it will open the door for gamers like Mason Toye, Keaton Parks, Brandon Servania, Djordje Mihaiolovic, Sam Vines, and others.
There’s additionally the idea of roster augmentation. Will CONCACAF enable groups to make adjustments to their rosters for the all-important knockout video games which are sometimes held in the course of the worldwide window. That is what occurred in the course of the CONCACAF 2018 U-20 World Cup qualifying match. It allowed Tab Ramos so as to add Chris Richards, Sebastian Soto, and Sergino Dest for the massive video games on the finish.
If that’s allowed, it presumably offers Kreis the prospect so as to add a number of the huge weapons of this age group – Tim Weah, Josh Sargent, Sergino Dest, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and even Christian Pulisic. This can be very unlikely a majority of those gamers take part in Olympic qualifying however the potential of including one or two is real looking – particularly of there may be roster augmentation.
General, it was a subpar window for the U.S. group however one which allowed for correct analysis heading into the January camp. Regardless of the tough outcomes, this group ought to be capable to compete nicely in CONCACAF. However with the area solely getting two groups within the Olympics, the margin for effort is razor skinny.
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