The U.S. crew defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Thursday night time and total performed nicely. Positive there’s loads of work to do, however a number of gamers had strong outings and it ought to be an thrilling time for followers to look at it construct beneath a set imaginative and prescient and plan.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
March 21, 2019
10:30 PM
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THE UNITED STATES nationwide crew defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Thursday night time in Orlando and whereas the objective was fortunate, the consequence was not because the U.S. crew was higher in possession and in possibilities created. After a profitable January camp, the U.S. crew continued to progress beneath Gregg Berhalter who had a full slate of gamers accessible for the primary time.
To be truthful, Ecuador was content material to defend, take up the U.S. assault, and search for counterattacks. For awhile the U.S. crew struggled towards an efficient bunker however nonetheless created possibilities. Paul Arriola ought to have made it 1-0 within the first half and extra dynamic motion would have yielded extra alternatives.
The objective from Gyasi Zardes within the second half was very fortunate (though we’ll by no means know the place the unique shot was headed) however very deserved.
THE STARTING LINEUP
Sean Johnson: The New York Metropolis goalkeeper didn’t face any troublesome photographs and his distribution out of the again was first rate though not nice. Good night time to have protection in entrance of him and an opponent which couldn’t increase its sport to press for an equalizer Score: 5.5
Tim Ream: The St. Louis native was usually reliable within the sport though he made a horrible mistake within the 88th minute and was bailed out by Brooks. The interception and help to Zardes was a really good play. Score: 6.0
John Brooks: The Wolfsburg defender bailed out Ream late within the sport after the Fulham defender made a dreadful error. However Brooks, together with Lengthy, have been nice each of their passing out of the again and of their defensive skill to deal with no matter Ecuador threw at them. Mistake free night time for each central defenders and a constructive signal for them collectively as a unit. Score: 7.0
Aaron Lengthy: The New York Purple Bull mainstay had an excellent sport. If Adams goes to play proper again, Lengthy (a former membership teammate of Adams) must play within the backline. Lengthy’s mobility to cowl for Adams as he was studying the place was key so many occasions. However Lengthy’s distribution out of the again was additionally on the mark. Like Brooks, Lengthy loved a mistake free night time Score: 7.0
Tyler Adams: Taking part in at proper again in a job the place he would lower into the center of the sector with the ball, Adams appeared like a veteran in that position. His soccer IQ is off the charts. Generally he left to a lot house on his flank nevertheless it was an incredible step ahead. Adams was full of life within the assault and his passing helped the U.S. crew with lengthy stretches of possession. Score: 7.5
Wil Trapp: The Columbus captain had an excellent outing in his 59 minutes of motion. He confirmed an incredible vary of passing and was a part of the build-up to a number of good scoring possibilities. He was significantly efficient in getting the ball into harmful huge positions with lengthy passes. Defensively, he held his personal -which has been his concern up to now. He left with an damage to his left thigh. Score: 7.0
Jordan Morris: The Seattle attacker was the weaker spot of the entrance three. He wasn’t dangerous however wasn’t a part of any alternative that was too harmful. Defensively he had a an off second within the first half that allowed Ecuador to have its most harmful alternative. Score: 5.0
Christian Pulisic: Pulisic has not performed for america a lot for the reason that World Cup qualifying debacle however he was efficient in his first sport beneath Berhalter. His motion was a part of a number of harmful possibilities. His set piece supply was barely off however he performed nicely towards the defensive Ecuador. Score: 6.5
Weston McKennie: After a slower begin, McKennie grew into the sport and mixed nicely with Pulisic for the crew’s greatest probability within the opening discipline. Defensively, he was sturdy when he drifted additional again. He left the sport with an unsightly ankle damage. Score: 6.0
Paul Arriola: The DC United winger was lively within the first half and labored onerous to get himself in harmful positions. He ought to have had a objective with the U.S. crew’s greatest probability of first half. His defensive instincts additionally helped the U.S. crew win the ball again and lower down the house Ecuador needed to work. Score: 6.0
Gyasi Zardes: Leaving the objective apart, Zardes had sport. He didn’t get that many touches however his hold-up play was necessary for when Pulisic and McKennie have been making runs into the field. Whereas his first contact has been maligned up to now, it was not a legal responsibility. He must be extra cell within the field however he was a part of some necessary moments. On the objective, sure it took a really lucky deflection (to be truthful, perhaps it might have been a harmful shot anyway) however good for Zardes to step up and take the shot versus attempt to play it out huge. Score: 6.5
THE SUBSTITUTES
Michael Bradley: The previous captain changed Trapp within the in 59th minute and performed nicely. His passing didn’t appear to have the vary of Trapp nevertheless it was correct. Bradley was additionally regularly in good positions to power turnovers. Score: 6.0
Sebastian Lletget: The LA Galaxy playmaker changed Pulisic within the 62nd minute and wasn’t a part of something harmful however wasn’t a legal responsibility both. Score: 5.5
DeAndre Yedlin: The Seattle native changed Morris within the 68th minute and was lively enjoying in a special position as a winger. His velocity bothered Ecuador and was efficient at occasions Score: 6.0
Cristian Roldan: The Sounders attacking midfielder changed the injured McKennie within the 69th minute however was fairly total. Score: 5.0
Jonathan Lewis: The NYCFC winger changed Arriola within the 77th minute however didn’t have all that a lot to do. Score: NR
