The U.S. staff’s scoreless draw in opposition to Wales on Thursday most likely will not be remembered for something particular second on the sphere. However fairly the highest storyline was the debut of six promising younger gamers. ASN’s Justin Sousa seems to be at their particular person performances.
BY
Justin Sousa
Posted
November 13, 2020
11:15 AM
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THE UNITED STATES males’s nationwide have been again in motion for the primary time since February with a squad filled with younger gamers and few “veterans” sprinkled into the combo. Six gamers whole made their USMNT debuts yesterday with Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna and Konrad de la Fuente beginning the match and Owen Otasowie, Johnny Cardoso and Nicholas Gioacchini getting minute off the bench. Tyler Adams additionally made his return the USMNT for this primary time since March 2019 whereas Timothy Weah got here off the bench for his first look since 2018.
Regardless of enjoying to a goalless draw, this younger group of People performed Wales off the sphere for a lot of the match. It took Musah time to develop into the match, however he finally discovered his consolation on the ball and began pushing the U.S. ahead along with his directness by means of midfield. Reyna and de la Fuente didn’t have one of the best debuts, however it was extra a results of the unfamiliarity the youngsters had with the offensive system after simply three days of coaching. There was loads to be taught from these three gamers and some of the opposite debutants on this match, although, and these are my observations from that match.
The #USMNT ages2520252723212228171719
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 12, 2020
Yunus Musah
There was little or no to criticize after Musah’s 80-minute debut yesterday. The 17-year-old put in an inspiring efficiency in midfield that complimented Adams’ defensive work ethic and Weston McKennie’s offensive aptitude properly. He typically discovered himself rotating with Reyna between his beginning central midfield function and his compatriot’s place on the best wing, demonstrating each the positional fluidity of Gregg Berhalter’s system and Musah’s personal versatility.
One of many instant qualities within the teen’s recreation that got here to mild in opposition to Wales was his press resistance within the middle of the park. Musah was dispossessed simply as soon as this recreation regardless of lots of the instances he acquired the ball being along with his again to objective, and it’s advantageous if the following move after he broke the press didn’t come off. His first half efficiency, for essentially the most half, was performed safely, however his efficiency within the second half confirmed a bit extra initiative in wanting the ball and making issues occur.
very small factor, however…
what number of midfielders do the USMNT have who can do what Yunus Musah did right here – obtain ball with opponent on again in defensive third, end up, make semi-progressive move – persistently?
heck, what number of have they *ever* had? pic.twitter.com/WmmDH0GXSA
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) November 12, 2020
There have been two events on this recreation through which the defender pressed Musah closely on his again, and he confirmed he may maneuver his manner out of hassle. Turning below that kind of stress gave the impression to be his Achilles heel up to now at Valencia, however the elevated area he present in these midfield pockets allow him to discover a bit extra wiggle room to shake off his man. As a winger at Valencia, enjoying near the sideline closes off a whole aspect Musah may flip into, and he typically seemed to show onto his left foot in these moments.
This second was promising for Musah as a result of he was in a position to preserve the ball below stress and switch in the direction of objective. He is proven that he can do it when he finds pockets of area to obtain the ball in with out a lot stress, however groups are going to acknowledge his menace and hound him. pic.twitter.com/8KURvZjf9q
— Justin ?????????? (@JustinSousa99) November 13, 2020
Berhalter’s solely actual criticism of each Musah’s and your complete staff’s efficiency final evening was the shortcoming to play the ultimate ball regardless of having the standard to take action. Musah has stated in earlier interviews that he is aware of he can enhance in his passing and including that asset to his recreation would put a pleasant bow on his general ability set.
Musah’s numbers vs Wales:
60 touches
44/50 passes
5 ball recoveries
4/7 duels gained
2/2 lengthy balls
2 interceptions
2 fouls gained
2 fouls dedicated
1/1 tackles
Gio Reyna
It was a troublesome debut for Reyna. He by no means actually bought snug out on both wing, inside the half-spaces or enjoying behind Sebastian Lletget as a ten. His high quality confirmed in flashes, particularly in one-on-one conditions the place he led the U.S. along with his three dribbles accomplished, however the mixture play wasn’t fairly there for {the teenager} on the evening. His creativity and skill to create likelihood is seen when he performs for Borussia Dortmund, albeit he has Braut Erling Haaland to move to, and they’re going to finally transcend to the nationwide with extra minutes.
He and Musah typically interchanged positions, and this allowed Reyna to get the ball in deeper positions once they couldn’t break the primary line of press. Reyna appeared to do that a bit too typically, although, and it eliminated him from the superior positions Berhalter would have wished him as soon as the staff entered the ultimate third. He’s able to creating alternatives from deeper positions just like the video beneath reveals, however there must be extra of that additional up the sphere.
Exhibit A – Gio Reyna, bodily wins ball from opponent in midfield. Then drags everybody to the left, leaving broad open proper, performs an ideal ball. Love his soiled jersey. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/tNmtbMvZ4G
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) November 12, 2020
Musah and McKennie broke these first defensive traces effectively yesterday and maybe a extra pure striker would have helped in progressing the ball ahead as effectively, however Reyna struggled to get a foothold on the sphere. The shortage of belief that comes with restricted time coaching with gamers on the worldwide stage was additionally evident in the best way these ball-hog moments began perforating by means of Reyna’s recreation and noticed him miss the chance to play the ultimate ball.
As he develops a familiarity along with his teammates, Reyna will most likely permit them to do extra of the work in these deeper positions. Having a extra pure quantity 9 to demand play be a bit extra direct would additionally assist get the ball ahead faster in order that Reyna can see extra of the ball in a extra superior place. Lletget provided the ball safety Berhalter wished on this match, however there wanted to be extra questions requested of Wales when the staff will get the ball to a striker’s ft shortly and the items round him begin trying to make direct runs in behind.
Reyna’s numbers vs Wales:
61 touches
38/41 passes
5/12 duels gained
3/6 dribbles
2 fouls gained
2 ball recoveries
1 shot-assist
Konrad de la Fuente
I can’t inform if it’s extra FC Barcelona of the total again to point out extra aptitude and have a better affect within the last third than their winger or much less so however both manner, de la Fuente struggled the a lot of the USMNT’s debuting trio.
He suffered most from the entrance three’s lack of chemistry and had a tough time enjoying a lot of the recreation within the half-space fairly than hugging the sideline. De la Fuente has a really direct type of play, and that was restricted by Berhalter’s deal with retaining possession and opting to focus on the build-up play for this recreation. He linked effectively along with his teammates, however it was clear he wished to run onto passes within the broad channels fairly than be the wall move to the total again. The missed alternative six yards out from objective additionally put him in a worse mild than obligatory contemplating, once more, that this entrance three has by no means performed collectively.
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) November 12, 2020
The nice shock of his recreation was that de la Fuente confirmed his dedication to serving to on the defensive aspect of the ball even when he wasn’t seeing a lot of it going ahead. It’s simple for a ahead to not need to press because the frustration of not seeing the ball typically sufficient settles into their heads, however de la Fuente was unphased by the shortage of build-up play that went by means of him. He compelled Wales inside and in the direction of site visitors each time they tried to interrupt down their proper aspect, and that allowed Adams, Musah and McKennie to win again the ball and provoke a counter.
Konrad’s confirmed dedication to the defensive aspect of the ball yesterday even when he did not see a lot going ahead. Performed his half in an environment friendly U.S. press/defensive construction effectively.
Want the staff tried to be extra direct along with his runs as Adams tried to do right here. pic.twitter.com/EIRlyO9TIj
— Justin ?????????? (@JustinSousa99) November 13, 2020
De la Fuente noticed a bit extra of the ball within the wider channel when he and Reyna swapped wings, and Dest’s understanding of make underlapping runs in addition to overlapping runs helped present that area for him. On the best aspect, nevertheless, de la Fuente’s motion is extra restricted to driving down the wing versus having the ability to reduce inside from the left or play within the half-space often. The staff had a recreation plan and caught by it, however the subsequent step on this their evolution is knowing when affected person build-up must take a backseat in favor of a extra direct strategy to check the opposition’s defensive construction.
De la Fuente’s numbers vs Wales:
20 touches
11/12 passes
7 ball recoveries
2/3 duels gained
1/1 dribbles
1 foul gained
1 interception
Notes concerning the different debutants
Johnny Cardoso performed 20 minutes after changing Tyler Adams and taking on the holding function in midfield. He was slightly clumsy defensively, however he seemed snug on the ball and bought concerned increased up the sphere when the alternatives offered themselves.
Nicholas Gioacchini noticed slightly below 10 minutes in his substitute cameo. His most notable play throughout that point although got here when he was virtually enjoying proper again in opposition to Daniel James, stopping the Manchester United winger from getting a cross into the field.
Owen Otasowie performed much less then 5 minutes off the bench. Hopefully he will get extra in opposition to Panama as he’s an fascinating prospect given his giant body and technical ability set.
