ASN: Dest, Lletget, Musah Aaronson star as USMNT down Jamaica 4-1

America was dominant on Thursday in a 4-1 win over Jamaica behind targets from Sergino Dest, Brenden Aaronson, and a brace from Sebastian Lletget. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the sport for you right here. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 25, 2021
9:00 PM

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THE UNITED STATES nationwide crew defeated Jamaica 4-1 in convincing trend on Thursday in its first sport of the March worldwide window. The U.S. crew was clearly higher over the course of 90 minutes and nearly each American participant had a optimistic affect within the sport.

With out Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah, the U.S. crew rolled out a lineup that matched youth and expertise. Sebastian Lletget and Kellyn Acosta began within the midfield together with Yunus Musah. Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna have been on the wings with Sargent within the center.

The backline featured Sergino Dest on the left, Reggie Cannon on the appropriate, with John Brooks and Aaron Lengthy within the center. Zack Steffen, clearly, was in purpose.

The U.S. crew managed this one from the beginning and had nearly all the harmful probabilities all through the sport. Sergino Dest’s goalazzo within the thirty fourth minute set the tone and present cased the flexibility he has at left again to chop into the center of the sector.

TAKE A BOW, SERGIÑO DEST!

The #USMNT defender cuts inside and fires house a ROCKET for his first worldwide purpose! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/F5jxhkpACy

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2021

Within the second half, the substitutions paid off effectively for america and Jamaica lacked the depth to match it. Brenden Aaronson was particularly robust when coming into the sport for Christian Pulisic to start out the ultimate 45 minutes. He practically had an help to Reyna who mishit the cross. Then within the 54th minute, he scored a pleasant purpose on a slick cross from Sargent.

Stunning combo right here between Brenden Aaronson and Josh Sargent to make it 2-0.

???????? Aaronson has scored in back-to-back #USMNT appearances???????? Sargent collects his first worldwide help#USAvJAM pic.twitter.com/l12HMmx6sQ

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2021

Jamaica pulled one again within the seventieth minute on a counter assault. With the U.S. crew taking a nook kick, central defenders John Brooks and Chris Richards have been pushed up the sector. Jamaica moved the ball up shortly up the sector and the U.S. crew made a sequence of errors. Antonee Robinson let a runner get previous him, Reggie Cannon failed to shut down on a runner and allowed a cross to undergo his legs. Acosta then noticed Jamal Lowe get behind him.

Then within the 83rd minute, Lletget put the sport out of attain on a pleasant mixture the place Aaronson discovered substitute Nicholas Gioacchini huge proper. The SM Caen attacker then despatched a ball to the highest of the field for Lletget.

Good ball from Nicholas Giaocchini, high quality end from Sebastian Lletget to make it 3-1 for the ????????!#USAvJAM pic.twitter.com/6wby9lRhtR

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2021

The nail within the coffin occurred in stoppage time when substitute Luca de la Torre transfer the ball into the field after which discovered Lletget for one more end in the midst of the sector. For the Bay Space native, it was his sixth purpose for the U.S. crew in 19 video games.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2021

The Finest Dest has Checked out LB

Sergino Dest was the MOTM on this sport and it was the perfect he has seemed taking part in left again. He was in a position to reduce into the sector, create, and hyperlink with Pulisic. His expertise one the ball have been the perfect within the sport of any participant.

Along with his purpose and dribbling, his ball-winning was additionally first-rate. Combing duels and aerials, Dest was profitable in 6/7 alternatives.

Sergino Dest: uncooked # vs. Jamaica67 mins50 touches2 shots1 goal0 key passes33/36 passing25/33 accomplished passes in Jamaica’s half2/2 lengthy balls5/6 duels gained (!)2/3 dribbles1/1 aerials won1/1 tackles1 interception#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2021

Berhalter was fast to level out after the sport that he values Dest on each the left and the appropriate facet. For the supervisor, he brings totally different attributes both facet with the flexibility to chop centrally on the left in contrast with a extra vertical sport on the appropriate.

Dest can be shifting place at Barcelona the place he has moved from proper again to a wingback function and that has resulted in him taking part in the perfect offensive soccer of his profession. That swap has given him confidence and that carried over into camp – even at a unique place.

“He’s really strong on both sides,” Berhalter mentioned. “I think on the left, what you saw tonight was the ability to come inside, combine, and shoot for himself – create for himself, and open up the field. On the right side, it’s more of a vertical type game. Both can be effective. On the left, sometimes you can potentially lose the verticality of his passing because he plays inside often. Those are all things to consider. He enjoys playing on either side. IT’s not an issue. It’s more about the quality we have in each position weighing that in where we think it makes most sense.”

Aaronson stable off the bench

Brenden Aaronson, 20, got here on to start out the second half and the Crimson Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder made an immediate affect. Minutes into the second half, he hit a primary charge by ball to Reyna earlier than scoring a purpose for himself. He was additionally a part of the buildup of each of Lletget’s targets. Over his 45 minutes, he accomplished all however one in every of his passes and made a really optimistic affect within the sport.

Brenden Aaronson: uncooked # vs. Jamaica45 mins25 touches2 shots1 goal1 key pass14/15 passing (93%)11/14 accomplished passes in attacking half1/1 dribble1 foul2/5 duals gained#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2021

Aaronson can play out huge and centrally – giving Berhalter choices. With the U.S. crew trending so younger today, consistency shall be uneven and gamers kind fluctuate greater than a crew of gamers largely of their prime. Extra choices are wanted and Aaronson is a high-quality choice at that.

“I really liked his performance today,” Berhalter mentioned. “I know when you win, you are gushing about everyone. I think he had a strong performance. I really do. I think he gave us verticality on the wing. He was strong and composed. He made some really good plays. He was strong in pressing. You can see that being with Jesse Marsch and Red Bull Salzburg, has been positive… He’s battling. He’s going up guys twice his size and he doesn’t hesitate at all. These are the things he’s really improved on.”

Lletget robust outing

Sebastian Lletget had an excellent outing and it wasn’t simply the 2 targets to seal the win for america. His passing was crisp within the playmaking function and of his 51 accomplished passes, 45 have been within the attacking half of the sector.

Sebastian Lletget: uncooked # vs. Jamaica90 mins5 shots2 targets (!)51/61 passing (84%)45/51 accomplished passes in Jamaica’s half3/4 correct lengthy balls4 key passes (!)5/10 duels won0/1 dribbles1x fouled2 fouls1 tackle2/3 aerials gained#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2021

However underrated about his efficiency was his motion. Whereas not quick, Lletget has all the time learn the sport effectively and there have been a number of moments, resembling this beneath, the place he helped to open house for others along with his off-ball motion.

The connection between Pulisic and Dest grew as half wore in however have to incorporate Lletget in that cohort. His understanding and motion facilitated quite a lot of the house as effectively. #USMNT Easy instance ???? pic.twitter.com/HKH1zajR8L

— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) March 25, 2021

Lletget has quietly put out regular outings for the U.S. crew and Berhalter appears to belief him. He gained’t all the time begin however he’ll proceed to see minutes.

“I got a lot of questions this week about Sebastian Lletget and I thought his performance spoke for itself tonight, for sure,” Berhalter mentioned. “He’s a really good player – a really technical player. He reads the game well and is able to arrive in the penalty box and finish his opportunities.”

Acosta as McKennie/Adams backup?

Given the absence of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie together with Andres Perea, Jackson Yueill, and Johnny Cardoso on obligation with the U.S. U-23 crew, it wasn’t a shock that Kellyn Acosta was beginning for the U.S. crew. The Texan, nevertheless, took benefit of the chance of so many central midfielders not with the crew.

Acosta had a stable outing in plenty of alternative ways. His passing was at a really excessive share and 77% of his accomplished passes have been within the attacking half.

Most significantly for Acosta, he matched up effectively athletically with Jamaica – which is without doubt one of the strengths of their crew. He maybe had too many fouls however defensively, he was stable within the midfield. He was one in every of a number of American gamers who may have performed higher on Jamaica’s purpose as Lowe obtained behind him. That was solely after Robinson failed to interrupt up the play within the midfield and Cannon didn’t shut down on his attacker and let the cross get between his legs to seek out Lowe.

Kellyn Acosta: Uncooked # v Jamaica90 mins82 touches2 shots2 key passes61/67 passing (91%)47 of 61 accomplished passes in attacking half3/5 correct lengthy balls6/12 duels won0 aerial attempts1/1 dribbles1x fouls5 fouls3 clearances0/4 profitable tackles1 interception#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2021

It is protected to say that Acosta gained’t begin when Adams and McKennie are each obtainable to start out however having each wholesome at anyone time has been uncommon. Acosta is quietly serving to his case to be contained in the 23 and be a key backup on the primary crew.

“Kellyn is a guy that is not his familiar position. He normally plays higher up the field in an attacking position,” Berhalter mentioned. “I thought he had an excellent game.  I really do. I thought he was winning a lot of duels. He was positioning well. It looked like he played there before. It’s good to see him take that next step from being a guy who hasn’t been involved these past two years now working is way into it and having a good performance like he did tonight.”

Musah & Pulisic impress

Two of essentially the most skillful attacking gamers made their first look along with the U.S. crew. For Pulisic, it was his first time with the U.S. crew in practically 18 months. Pulisic’s season at Chelsea hasn’t been nice however his final two video games have been excellent. It was predetermined that he was solely going to go 45 minutes and through that point he mixed effectively with Dest and was harmful on a number of events.

Musah, 18, was excellent on this sport in practically each space. He was 92% in his passing. He was 3/3 in lengthy balls. In his ball-winning, he was 6/6 in mixed duels and aerials. He appeared to present the U.S. crew an enormous edge within the midfield.

Yunus Musah: uncooked # vs. Jamaica73 mins53 touches0 shots1 assist2 key passes45/49 passing (92%) (!)30/45 accomplished passes in attacking half3/3 lengthy balls (!)4/4 duels gained (!)2/2 aerials gained (!)0 dribble attempts1x fouled#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2021
“I thought he was solid,” Berhalter mentioned of Musah. “Picture this: he hasn’t played in this position since last November – when with us. To put in a performance like that is commendable. I thought he did a very good job. He was a connector. It was a very simple but very effective game tonight. He closed down space well. He just made everything look easy and he had a very, very strong performance tonight.”Rankings

Starters

Steffen: 5.5: Largely untested

Cannon: 4.5: It wasn’t Cannon’s night time offensively or defensively

Lengthy: 6.5: Performed the primary half and was regular. His mobility was an asset.

Brooks: 6.0: Sluggish first half however improved as the sport went on .

Dest: 8.5 – MOTM: One of the best participant on the sector. Terrific purpose and really harmful dribbling.

Acosta: 6.5: Stable passing and saved Jamaica’s athletic midfielders in verify.

Musah: 8.0: Easy on each side of the ball and elevated his teammates.

Lletget: 8.5: Two targets and an general robust outing.

Pulisic: 6.5: Solely performed the primary 45 however was a part of a number of harmful probabilities.

Reyna: 5.5: Just a few good moments however in any other case was extra quiet than his teammates.

Sargent: 7.0: The targets weren’t there however his motion was glorious and his passing was efficient.

Substitutes

Aaronson: 7.5: Made an instantaneous affect with a purpose and had a hand in quite a few good probabilities.

Richards: 6.5: Reliable with no main errors.

Robinson: 5.5: Quiet with no main affect, may have performed extra on Jamaica’s counter for the purpose.

Gioacchini: 6.5: Labored exhausting up the sector and added an help on the third purpose.

De La Torre: 6.5: confirmed effectively in his 17 minutes and picked up an help on the ultimate purpose

Siebatcheu: NR: His USMNT debut solely yielded just a few touches