ASN: American U-20 Staff Face Formidable Foe in Ukraine

Tab Ramos’ under-20 males’s nationwide group squeaked previous Myanmar and dominated New Zealand, however Friday’s match towards Ukraine ought to give us a greater sense of the Yanks’ prospects on the U-20 World Cup.

BY

Josh Deaver

Posted
June 04, 2015
5:15 PM

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UKRAINE’S QUALIFYING RUN BEGAN greater than 18 months in the past, throughout which it was pressured to take care of three very tough UEFA competitions in an effort to safe a berth within the 2015 FIFA under-20 World Cup. Having beforehand certified in 2001 and 2005, Friday morning’s match towards america (3am; Fox Sports activities 1) would be the war-torn nation’s third look within the competitors. 

Starting with the buildup to the 2014 UEFA U-19 Championships, the Yellow-Blue posted wins towards Estonia, Malta, Montenegro, and England to go together with attracts with Russia and Scotland to make it to the ultimate spherical of U-20 qualifying. There, a win towards Bulgaria, a draw with Serbia, and a loss to the mighty Germans was sufficient to e-book a visit to New Zealand in July 2014.

Almost a 12 months later that very same age group is again collectively. Extraordinarily fortunate to eke out a scoreless draw with host-nation New Zelaand in a sloppily performed and nervy World Cup opener, Ukraine delivered a cruel beatdown of Myanmar on Tuesday morning, scoring all six of its targets within the second half. Early Friday morning it is going to face the Individuals—the primary group on this competitors to qualify for the knockout spherical. Until New Zealand could make up a minus-10 purpose differential, Ukraine might be transferring on whatever the end result. Friday’s recreation might be about constructing chemistry and confidence in addition to jockeying for place within the subsequent spherical.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM UKRAINE

Regardless of being held scoreless within the first half, Ukraine completely destroyed Myanmar on Monday night time. And Ukraine ought to have scored not less than two or three extra targets—due largely to a mixture of poor defending and wreckless attacking by Myanmar because it fell behind. After giving up a simple set piece purpose within the 51st minute, the swarming defensive techniques of the White Angels led to 2 Ukraine targets off the counterattack. At that time, the focus and energy sluffed off considerably, permitting three extra scores earlier than the ultimate whistle blew. It ought to have been extra.

It might be simple responsible the scoreline on sub-standard opponents, however it’s important to give credit score to the Ukrainians. They didn’t let up for a second and had been capable of rating a few splendidly labored targets, no matter Myanmar’s questionable-at-best defensive technique. With out the ball, the Individuals should preserve their composure and defensive form to keep away from the specter of Ukraine’s late-running midfielders, who accounted for 4 targets on Monday and stored numerous assaults alive.

Regardless of all that includes for the home league, the Ukrainians boast an identical variety of full-time professionals because the American group. Defender Mykta Burda and midfielders Yevhen Chumak and Ihor Kharatin every made their respective first-team debut for Dynamo Kyiv this season. Vicktor Kovalenko, who scored twice towards Myanmar, performs for Champions League fixture Shakhtar Donetsk, whereas midfield starter Valderiy Luchkevych was an unused substitute for Dnipro within the latest Europa League last. Left again Eduard Sobol—who additionally scored on Monday—leads the group with 10 appearances all through the cycle.

PERMUTATIONS

Relying on different outcomes, the Group A winner will face a third-place group in Group C (Senegal or Qatar), D (Serbia, Mali, Uruguay or Mexico), or E (Hungary or Nigeria).

The Group A runner-up will face the runner-up of Group C (probably Portugal or Colombia).

Though the likelihood to face Mexico stays on the desk for the Spherical of 16, a win for the Individuals provides a a lot clearer path to the later rounds. If Tab Ramos’ squad can handle a draw or win towards Ukraine and—trying means too far forward—win its opening knockout spherical match, it might face both the Group B or Group F runner-up within the quarter-finals—a gaggle which might embody Ghana, Austria, Argentina, Panama, Honduras, Uzbekistan and the menacing specter of Germany.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE U.S.

How about that Gedion Zelalem child, huh? In a soccer tradition the place residing as much as the hype will be simply as harmful as failing to take action, the Arsenal midfielder—judging by Web visitors alone—has undoubtedly whet the appetites of numerous American supporters. They need more-more-more and they’re going to actually get it.

After struggling for the proper midfield mixture all through World Cup qualification, Ramos has seemingly discovered the perfect companion for Emerson Hyndman—who himself is having a superb match to this point. Zelalem and Hyndman work effectively off one another, permitting Hyndman to sit down a bit additional again and cede the roving, playmaking duties to Zelalem (who thrives creating and utilizing open house).

After the group’s uneven displaying towards Myanmar, which noticed the American midfield funnelled into oblivion in the course of the pitch, the introduction of Zelalem and Paul Arriola towards the Kiwis on Monday night time allowed rather more efficient extensive play, whereas permitting striker Rubio Rubin to do what he does finest.

On the backline, the sqaud boasts the strongest group of youth defenders in a number of nationwide group cycles. That stated, Matt Miazga and Cameron Carter-Vickers have appeared, maybe, too dominant at occasions. The dimensions and energy of the central defedning tandem has already resulted in gentle whistles from referees who tried to legistlate on behalf of physcially outmatched opponents. In opposition to Ukraine, this shouldn’t be a difficulty: they’re massive boys.

With 5 days between the ultimate group match and the beginning of the knockout spherical, relaxation and restoration shouldn’t play an enormous position by way of technique. Will probably be as much as Ramos, however I’d anticipate to see a couple of prime stars get a break on this match.

LIKELY STARTING XI

Steffen; Requejo, Palmer-Brown, Carter-Vickers, Payne; Donovan, Sonora, Zelalem; Jameison, Thompson, Arriola

FINAL SCORE: 2-2 draw