ASN: DOS-A-CERO Once more! Pulisic ignites USMNT rally to down Mexico in Cincy

The US nationwide group wrote one other memorable chapter to its long-standing rivalry with Mexico. Whereas it featured many new gamers, the 2-0 scoreline remained the identical with Christian Pulisic breaking the sport open with an enormous objective and Tim Weah placing on a blinding efficiency. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks all of it down along with his ideas and evaluation.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 12, 2021
3:55 PM

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AT HALFTIME, it appeared like the sport may have gone both approach with the rating even at 0-0. Mexico had some good probabilities, however the U.S. group had some good probabilities however was solely missing its closing ball. The second half, nonetheless, instructed a very completely different story and the U.S. defeated Mexico by the long-lasting 2-0 rating to notch a 3rd aggressive win over Mexico in 2021 and transfer into first atop the Octagonal World Cup qualifying group.

The U.S. group merely got here out and took the sport to Mexico within the second. The U.S. group dominated and had the higher of probabilities. Mexico struggled to get something first rate going of their closing third. The U.S. group was in a position to press a lot increased up the sector.

“The second half is when we started to pull away,” Berhalter mentioned. “The first half was an entertaining half, it was back and forth and both teams were taking shots at each other. The second half is where we started to pull away.”

“That’s the effect we have on our opponents. when we can press them and we can be that aggressive around the ball and with the ball, turning them around make them face to face your own goal becomes really challenging.”

With the U.S. in charge of the possession and pressuring Mexico, the turning level got here within the 69th minute when Berhalter subbed in Christian Pulisic. The Chelsea star has missed most of this season for the Blues – first on account of COVID after which on account of an injured ankle. He had made just a few late cameos in England earlier than the break and was not match to begin.

However he was match to make a distinction. Within the 74th minute, 5 minutes after getting into, he turned the sport decidedly in favor of the U.S. group with a important objective off an attractive cross from Tim Weah.

What a ball from Weah. Pulisic being Pulisic #USMNT pic.twitter.com/Hml2XYxUKB

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 13, 2021

“We bought in Christian he gave the team of boost and it also put some fear into Mexico, because they know his quality,” Berhalter mentioned. “So, anytime we can bring in players like that, and they can make an impact is a good thing for us.”

Within the eighty fifth minute, the U.S. put the sport out of attain when Tim Weah swung a ball into the center for Jesus Ferreira. The FC Dallas attacker performed it off to McKennie who tried to play it again to Ferreira. His cross was deflected off a defender and got here again to him and he had a gap by means of the protection. He moved in and beat Guillermo Ochoa with the shot.

WESTON MCKENNIE. DAGGER. ???? pic.twitter.com/UE8sxkh381

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2021

The U.S. group was in a position to play out the win however suffered a late second yellow card to defender Miles Robinson who was despatched off and is now suspended for the Jamaica recreation. He’ll be a part of Weston McKennie as two gamers who will miss that essential recreation.

When the ultimate whistle sounded, the U.S. ended one more 2-0 storied win over Mexico. It’s now the sixth time the U.S. group has defeated its archrival with that iconic scoreline in World Cup or World Cup qualifying with the opposite editions coming in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2013.

Listed below are some ideas on the win

Weah was the MOTM

Gregg Berhalter gave Tim Weah the “Coach’s MOTM” and it was the precise resolution. Within the first half, Weah was actively pushing the ball ahead at any time when he had the possibility and this prevented Mexico from urgent too excessive because it stored them on their heels a little bit bit.

Then within the second half, Weah was the important thing distinction maker. His cross arrange Puslic fantastically for the opening objective after which it was his cross to Ferreira that was instrumental in McKennie’s late objective.

For the three wins the U.S. group has had over Mexico this 12 months, this was one of the best offensive efficiency from any American gamers. It will take going again to Landon Donovan to discover a participant who had a greater offensive recreation in opposition to Mexico.

Weah’s uncooked numbers have been merely incredible throughout the board.

Tim Weah: Uncooked # for the #USMNT in 2-0 win over Mexico89 minutes52 touches4 shots3 key passes1 assist24/27 passing10/13 duels won4/9 in crossing0/0 lengthy balls1 clearances4/4 dribbles1/2 tackles4/5 aerials – wowzers- simple MOTM

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 13, 2021

Pulisic builds USMNT legacy

Christian Pulisic has had an exquisite profession to date and whereas he’s but to play in a World Cup, he has scored some essential targets for the group. This was most likely his largest to date. The U.S. group is desperately making an attempt to reverse the legacy of 2017 and alter a brand new narrative.

The 2 wins over Mexico this summer time have been essential however this one put the exclamation level on what has been an excellent 12 months for a program that has constructed a deep pool of gamers. This win put the U.S. group in a superb place in World Cup qualifying and Pulisic’s objective is what turned the tide from an excellent U.S. efficiency right into a successful efficiency. That’s what star gamers are presupposed to do.

Midfield rises to the event

The beginning midfield for the U.S. group was sloppy with its passing within the first 20 minutes. The rest of the match, nonetheless, the beginning trio of Adams, McKennie, and Musah have been dominant. Within the second half, it was no contest.

For the beginning trio, they gained 22/35 of their mixed duels. The physicality they delivered to the sport gave the U.S. group an edge, and it wore and older Mexican group down.

Whereas McKennie scored, essentially the most full midfield efficiency was Yunus Musah who is among the most direct midfielders the U.S. group has had. When Beharlter preaches “verticality,” Musah appears to suit this plan.

Yunus Musah: Uncooked # for the #USMNT in 2-0 win over Mexico82 minutes69 touches2 shots1 key pass35/40 passing3/3 lengthy balls1/1 crossing7/15 duels won3 clearances2/7 dribbles2x fouled1/2 tackles1 foul

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 13, 2021

Gianluca Busio has been pushing for a beginning spot, however Musah will most likely make it robust for him. Busio and Musah each are nonetheless a little bit defensively naive and it’s robust to begin each of them collectively. However for now, it’s robust to take Musah off the sector.

Youth offers the sting

The U.S. nationwide group has three wins in three video games in opposition to Mexico this 12 months. In these three wins, the U.S. group has scored six targets. 5 of these six targets have been scored after the 74th minute (twenty seventh, 82nd, 114th, 117th, 74th, eighty fifth).

It’s an older Mexican group and a really younger U.S. group. Berhalter was fast to level out how he wished to put on Mexico down. This technique has been very efficient. The U.S. has discovered a strategy to personal the latter elements of the sport and that has been key.

Will the U.S. group be capable of do this in Azteca subsequent 12 months? That’s a troublesome task.

Zimmerman’s huge night time

Walker Zimmerman had a really, very huge night time for the U.S. group. He was a gradual presence within the again and dominated within the air. Apart from one turnover within the first half, it was just about flawless defensively. It wasn’t simply successful duels, he was intercepting passes and doing properly in his 1v1 defending.

Walker Zimmerman: Uncooked # for the #USMNT in 2-0 win over Mexico90 mins73 touches1 shot43/55 passing5/11 lengthy balls8/10 duels won8 clearances4 interceptions1 foul1x fouled6/7 aerials gained

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 13, 2021

This was a defining efficiency for Zimmerman who most likely put himself on the within a part of a high 23-player roster. If Berhalter goes to name in 4 central defenders he’s most likely considered one of them. The percentages are that John Brooks regains his type. That will most likely have John Brooks, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, and Chris Richards as the highest 4 central defenders in the meanwhile.

Steffen’s stands tall

It was one of the vital talked about choices within the beginning XI because it was identified upfront. Berhalter opted to begin Zack Steffen over Matt Turner. It was talked about as a result of each goalkeepers have carried out properly, and each ought to really feel they’ve causes to begin.

On this recreation, Steffen did properly and the truth that he acquired the nod on this recreation most likely makes it a practical guess he would be the group’s starter in huge video games – not less than for now. Turner will nonetheless get probabilities and might be a barely higher shot-stopper than Steffen. However Steffen’s skill to play out of the again and distribute the ball labored properly right here and it the U.S. group earned loads of key possessions out of it.

After all, Steffen has handled a number of accidents through the years and has missed loads of time. The truth that he hardly ever performs for his membership additionally may see his type fluctuate. However for now, Steffen put himself in an amazing scenario.

Waiting for Jamaica

On Tuesday, the U.S. group will face Jamaica in Kingston and preserving your complete beginning lineup from this recreation collectively is inconceivable as a result of Miles Robinson and Weston McKennie are suspended.

There are another evaluations which Berhalter should take into account – principally round health ranges of some gamers. Almost certainly will probably be gamers like Tim Weah and Yunus Musah haven’t been common starters with their respective golf equipment and taking part in two full video games from the beginning with in depth journey are robust questions.

Berhalter admitted after the Mexico win that he was fascinated about calling in additional gamers however these would virtually actually be for canopy.

In central protection, Zimmerman and Chris Richards appears actually to be the mixture. Rather than McKennie, Kellyn Acosta has been the backup in that position for many of the 12 months. Whereas Gianluca Busio may get the beginning, it might be rather than Musah and it might be laborious to see the 2 youngsters beginning collectively.

The remainder of the lineup needs to be just about the identical and Pulisic, like in opposition to Mexico, shall be a giant offensive weapon off the bench.

Participant scores

The beginning lineup

Zack Steffen: The Manchester Metropolis backup goalkeeper had a giant outing with essential saves within the twelfth and 18th minutes whereas having strong distribution. Ranking: 7

Antonee Robinson: The left again pushed ahead and defended properly though his crossing and closing ball generally let him down. Ranking: 6.5

Walker Zimmerman: The Nashville SC stallwart had a first-rate efficiency in central protection and was most accountable for the cleansheet. He additionally had some good passes out of the again that created good possessions. Ranking: 7.5

Miles Robinson: The Massachusetts native was despatched off within the 89th minute along with his second yellow card however the U.S. was up 2-0 and coasting. Previous to that, Robinson had a pleasant recreation the place he defended properly and gained his duels. His first yellow card was pointless. Ranking: 6.5

DeAndre Yedlin: The group’s mortgage veteran from the 2014 World Cup group wasn’t flashy however was simply reliable and powerful. He made no actual errors and was there defensively at any time when wanted. Ranking: 6.5

Tyler Adams:  Adams had a troublesome starting of the sport however settled in properly. His second half was robust and he allowed the attackers, fullbacks and different midfielders to push increased up the sector and construct stress. Ranking: 7

Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder scored the group’s second objective but additionally did a ton of soiled work in the midst of the sector to disrupt Mexico’s assault. Ranking: 7

Yunus Musah: It was a giant outing from Musah who handed properly within the open area and was all the time seeking to dribble shortly and create probabilities. He linked up properly with Weah and Mexico struggled to comprise his ability an athleticism. Ranking: 7.5

Brenden Aaronson: The New Jersey native had a shot inside the twentieth minute however couldn’t get sufficient on it and hit it straight at Ochoa. Whereas he had different optimistic moments, he didn’t stand out as a lot as he usually does and his set piece deliveries could be higher. Ranking: 6.5

Tim Weah: It was Weah’s finest efficiency for the U.S. group and the most effective offensive performances a U.S. participant has ever had in opposition to Mexico. Whereas he didn’t rating, he had a stellar help on Pulisic’s objective and his cross to Ferreira was instrumental within the second objective. When Mexico was taking part in properly within the first half, Weah was a part of the U.S. group’s effort to get the ball ahead and never let Mexico step too far into the assault. He was in every single place and Mexico had no reply for him. Ranking: 8.5

Ricardo Pepi: His scoring contact let him down however Pepi was in a position to contribute in different methods. He arrange Musah for an excellent probability within the first half. It was clear Mexico was paying loads of consideration to shutting him down, however Pepi wasn’t invisible and had his moments. Ranking: 7

The substitutes

Christian Pulisic: Pulisic did what star gamers do, create a second of magic to provide his group an edge. His objective was the defining second. Ranking: 7.5

Kellyn Acosta: The Colorado native changed a drained Musah and helped see out the win. He didn’t do a lot both approach. Ranking: 5.5

Jesus Ferreira: Coming into into the sport within the 82nd, Ferreira performed with some good power. He had a giant hand within the second objective in getting it to McKennie (not credited with an help as a result of McKennie’s tried cross didn’t work). He missed a late shot broad – which he may have carried out higher however was most likely misplaced within the second. Nonetheless, his power was strong. Ranking: 6.5

Chris Richards: A stoppage time sub to fill the void in central protection left by Robinson’s purple card. Ranking: NR

The Coach

Gregg Berhalter: You may’t argue with the consequence, the choices, or the efficiency. The U.S. group regarded ready. The lineup was 100% proper and his non-lock picks – Steffen, Zimmerman, Weah – all labored out. His subs modified the sport and the group made some essential changes at halftime because the U.S. started to take the sport to Mexico after the break. Ranking: 8.0