ASN: 5 ideas from the USMNT win over Panama to kickoff new period

The primary sport of the Gregg Berhalter was a cushty win over Panama in a scrimmage-like ambiance. However it was nonetheless a helpful studying expertise for each the gamers and the coach. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down his 5 ideas on the sport

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Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 28, 2019
2:30 AM

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THE FIRST step within the Gregg Berhalter period was constructive because the U.S. group rolled to a 3-0 win over an inexperienced Panama group. As soon as the U.S. scored the opening aim, the consequence was by no means doubtful and the sport took the texture of a scrimmage.

However the truth the opponent was weak doesn’t imply the sport wasn’t a great alternative for Berhalter to study a brand new group of gamers or for the gamers to study Berhalter’s system. In that regards, Panama was a great place to start out earlier than step by step rising the expertise of the opposition.

Over the previous yr, the U.S. group launched into a really difficult schedule with friendlies towards the hardest opponents on the earth. Usually the younger U.S. group seemed overmatched to the purpose the place it was honest to query if the group was studying something.

Easing into harder opponents with a brand new coach and a brand new system may develop into the way in which to go. However total, many of the gamers seemed comfy and excited for the second. That hasn’t all the time been the case with January camp the place the gamers are in preseason.

With that stated, listed here are the speaking factors.

Mihailovic, Baird, Lovitz & Lewis: uncooked however promising
For many of the debutants, it was a constructive first step. However taking a look at 4 particularly – Djordje Mihailovic, Corey Baird, Dan Lovitz, and Jonathan Lewis, there have been very stable moments from every participant and instances when all seemed uncooked.

Mihailovic, 20, has had an excellent January camp and it was solely pure to count on just a few moments the place he seemed new to the stage. As everybody is aware of, the gifted Chicago playmaker missed most of 2018 with a torn ACL which he suffered within the 2017 playoffs. He got here again on the finish of the season and as quickly as he shook off the rust, the offseason started.

However Mihailovic’s aim was each fortunate and well-taken. The deflection on the shot was helped by Mihailovic’s good move to hit it with the primary contact. With a few of his poor passes, it’s straightforward to forgive since they passed off within the last third when he was attempting to make issues occur. It’s straightforward to see Mihailovic changing into a giant a part of the U.S. U-23 group over the subsequent yr.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) January 28, 2019

Baird additionally had some turnovers but additionally had the help on Mihailovic’s aim. He was simply a internet constructive for the sport and will get the chance to play towards higher competitors.

Jonathan Lewis can also be eligible for the U-23 group. The NYCFC winger was energetic on the left facet and was all the time trying to take defenders on with the dribble. It didn’t all the time work however he was very profitable on the third aim when he made an excellent run to arrange Christian Ramirez’s tap-in. For Lewis, he actually must be in a state of affairs the place he performs extra on the membership degree – which is odd since he appears to do properly at any time when he performs. With out that taking part in time, will probably be arduous to see him taking an even bigger function inside the group.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) January 28, 2019

Lastly, Dan Lovitz additionally had an fascinating sport. He seemed uncomfortable and shaky at the beginning however clearly grew into the sport by the beginning of the primary half. He ought to have had an help with a stable ball into the field which Gyasi Zardes missed. His passing improved all through the sport.

However for Lovitz, he’s a left again and the place stays weak and unsettled. So the bar is decrease however Lovitz might grasp round within the combine if he builds off his outing towards Panama.

Zardes missed too many possibilities
Gyasi Zardes had a irritating sport. Except for just a few good layoffs which might have resulted in objectives, he simply missed too many possibilities. Within the first half, he had open headers from nice crosses delivered by Lovitz and Jeremy Ebobisse. Within the second half, he had a chance from shut vary that was hit proper on the keeper.

In contrast to earlier video games, his first contact wasn’t what let him down however reasonably it was his ending. Christian Ramirez seemed higher in his restricted minutes with some efficient passing after which a aim (granted it was a tap-in). However whereas Zardes is accustomed to Berhalter and his system, the leash might and must be brief.

Lima helped his case probably the most
The correct again depth chart is all up within the air proper now and a number of gamers have a clear slate. Nick Lima definitely made good first impression with man of the match efficiency in his first cap. He helped arrange the primary aim and made the play of the sport for the second when his well-timed deal with compelled a turnover which was adopted by him hitting an ideal cross to Walker Zimmerman.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) January 28, 2019

That is wholesome. It’s good to place strain on DeAndre Yedlin and have extra backup choices past Reggie Cannon, Shaq Moore. Then you could have the chance of Sergino Dest getting into into the combination. However the U.S. group wants gamers who can cross properly from the fullback positions and Lima has proven he can do this at San Jose and in his first step with the nationwide group.

For that motive Lima had the most important impression within the sport and was additionally the participant who helped his inventory probably the most.

Central protection race tightened
Central protection is the toughest place to determine for the nationwide group. There are a number of good gamers are prime European golf equipment, however many of those gamers don’t play. Matt Miazga, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Erik Palmer-Brown haven’t been taking part in a lot this yr. As well as, John Brooks has but to indicate the consistency on the worldwide degree.

So that’s the reason the event of home choices can also be essential as a result of, greater than every other place, central defenders should be taking part in often.

The choice to have Aaron Lengthy put on the captain’s armband was telling and it despatched a message that he’s has a really robust probability to be within the combine transferring ahead. He has loved a shocking rise since being transformed to central protection in 2016. In the course of the three subsequent seasons, he has damaged by means of obstacles with ease. In 2016 he was the USL Defender of the 12 months. In 2017 he was a stable MLS starter. In 2018 he was the MLS Defender of the 12 months and earned his first USMNT cap. Now to start out 2019, he has worn the U.S. nationwide group armband.

What’s Lengthy’s ceiling? Nobody is aware of precisely however the truth he has loved a seamless upward trajectory ought to open everybody’s eyes.

In the meantime, Walker Zimmerman has performed properly in his restricted instances for the nationwide group however he provides aerial means that’s distinctive to the opposite defenders within the pool. At this level, the actual fact he provides one thing completely different might additionally preserve him within the combine because the European-based gamers battle for minutes.

Roldan’s motion helped
Cristian Roldan, particularly, seemed particularly comfy in Berhalter’s system from the start. The U.S. group was all the time on the entrance foot of an overmatched opponent however in contrast to his earlier appearances, Roldan seemed energetic and energetic. Whereas he didn’t have a aim or an help, he helped to open up the sport.

In fact it was a weak opponent, however Roldan earned the chance to see if his type can translate towards a harder opponent and Costa Rica will present that take a look at subsequent weekend.