The USA nationwide crew had the probabilities to win what may very well be the ultimate World Cup qualifying installment of its rivalry in opposition to Mexico. The crew performed properly, however missed probabilities noticed the U.S. and Mexico end at 0-0. A very powerful side, nonetheless, is that the U.S. crew took a step ahead in its push to qualify for Qater. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks it down along with his ideas, evaluation, and participant scores.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
March 25, 2022
6:05 AM
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THE UNITED STATES nationwide crew performed properly however did not convert a number of golden scoring probabilities and needed to accept a 0-0 draw in opposition to its archrival Mexico on the famed Estadio Azteca. The outcome was each disappointing and a step ahead when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter used a reasonably normal beginning XI with few surprises given the a number of accidents to Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, and Matt Turner. Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson, and DeAndre Yedlin began within the backline. Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta and Yunus Musah have been within the midfield. Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah have been on the wings whereas Ricardo Pepi was up prime. The lately returned Zack Steffen began in purpose for the U.S. crew.
The U.S. crew was robust within the first half and had the higher of scoring probabilities. Yunus Musah had the primary good probability of the sport when he collected a ball contained in the field and fired a low driving shot that was expertly saved by Guillermo Ochoa.
Shortly earlier than the half, the U.S. crew had a real golden probability when Tim Weah moved down the correct facet and located a streaking Pulisic from point-blank vary. Pulisic didn’t get all the shot and it went proper into the physique of Ochoa for a save.
— SiriusXM FC 157 ?????? (@SiriusXMFC) March 25, 2022
Within the second half, the U.S. stepped up its strain and will once more ought to have taken the lead within the 72nd minute when substitute Jordan Pefok had a incomprehensible miss from contained in the six yard field on an ideal setup from Gio Reyna.
Undecided how that is attainable pic.twitter.com/QM9UkcozJ3
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2022
Within the eightieth minute, the sport was nonetheless scoreless and Berhalter elected to shift to a extra defensive method to see out a draw. Aaron Lengthy got here into the sport to usher in three central defenders and Erik Palmer-Brown, usually a central defender, took over at proper again.
The brand new backline would bend however not break to see out the outcome. Lengthy was compelled right into a purpose line clearance and the fatigued U.S. crew resorted to clearing the ball up the sphere to maintain Mexico off the board.
That is the one story proper now, the desk. A #USMNT win over Panama ensures at the very least a 3 level lead on 4th place Costa Rica heading into the ultimate spherical – plus a possible wholesome GD benefit pic.twitter.com/LTRDj8gKII
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 25, 2022
Listed here are my ideas on the sport
Berhalter received it proper
The U.S. lineup and method to this sport labored. The midfield and entrance six generated the perfect probabilities within the sport. The protection restricted Mexico’s alternatives and whereas the U.S. protection was underneath strain the ultimate 10 minutes, Berhalter had a plan to see out a lead to shifting to a few central defenders.
That is the third consecutive cycle the U.S. crew has drawn at Azteca in a World Cup qualifier – however this was probably the most the crew has ever been on the entrance foot in an Azteca qualifier. Contemplating the accidents and the shortage or common membership minutes to gamers like Steffen, Reyna, Weah, and even Musah – it was a powerful feat.
Berhalter has clearly grown as a coach. The position inside the crew make sense. There isn’t an emphasis on enjoying the correct again as a midfielder, or having the No. 6 midfielder function a crew’s quarterback. The positions are just a little extra uncooked, however they make sense. It has allowed the crew to succeed is a state of affairs the place there may be numerous turnover between gamers from sport to sport.
The U.S. crew had the correct protection and had an method that generated the probabilities. It’s on the gamers to complete them.
Forwards wanted
It’s stating the plain, however the largest concern for the U.S. crew proper now’s a necessity for a reliable No. 9 and proper now the shortage of harmful middle is the most important weak spot on the crew – by far.
Pepi, 19, performed 60 minutes at Azteca and was fully invisible. He’s not getting probabilities and isn’t even actually serving to the opposite attackers when he’s scoring. Pefok’s miss was so baffling that it runs the chance of his teammates shedding confidence in him.
The most important shock in Berhalter’s lineup was at ahead it’s simple to grasp why he’s fighting this place as a result of nobody is placing a stamp on the place.
To me, Jesus Ferreira appeared like the perfect guess to begin in opposition to Azteca as a result of as Berhalter famous in his pregame press convention, he creates for others even when he’s not scoring. Even when Ferreira tracks too far again into the midfield, at the very least he’s doing one thing and with Pulisic and Weah (or later Morris) as scoring threats, Ferreira has folks to work with within the assault.
I used to be incorrect in my prediction that Pepi wouldn’t play rather a lot this window. I believed his call-up was about checking in on him greater than something.
Pefok is ideally a robust finisher near purpose however doesn’t actually maintain the ball up for others or move properly. He’s been a robust finisher in Switzerland, however, in contrast to Ferreira, if Pefok just isn’t getting service, he’s fully invisible. Service at Azteca is unsure.
It all the time appeared like Pefok’s finest atmosphere for achievement was in opposition to Panama, who’s going to be on the again foot in Orlando greater than Mexico at dwelling. The U.S. crew at dwelling in opposition to Panama was all the time going to duplicate what Pefok sees with Younger Boys in Switzerland – a robust crew in opposition to an overmatched opponent. Younger Boys can constantly whip in crosses and get the ball into the field all through the sport. The U.S. crew ought to be capable of try this on Sunday.
However Pefok was poor along with his miss. His physique language didn’t mirror confidence and his touches have been off. Now, are his teammates going to belief to finish possessions with a ultimate balls designed for Pefok?
If the U.S. crew qualifies, Berhalter has to assume laborious concerning the ahead place. Driving the “hot hand” isn’t optimum. After Charlie Davies was injured in 2009, Bob Bradley tried to experience the recent hand burning via choices like Jeff Cunningham earlier than selecting Herc Gomez and Edson Buddle for the 2010 roster just because they have been scorching on the time. Gamers want time to develop right into a crew and the crew must know the best way to play with forwards.
Berhalter goes to need to discover beforehand used gamers like Daryl Dike or Josh Sargent or others. Sadly, it’s not a very good state of affairs for the U.S. youth nationwide groups both. It’s unhealthy for the present U.S. U-20 crew and former youth groups have seen forwards fade as they’ve gotten older (Sebastian Soto, Jeremy Ebobisse, and so on).
It’s additionally too late within the cycle to discover enjoying with a lone “false nine” place as the way in which to fil the voide.
Berhalter has his work minimize out for him attempting to determine this out and the draw in opposition to Mexico simply highlighted it.
Midfield performed properly
I feel the U.S. crew’s beginning midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta, and Yunus Musah all carried out fairly properly. There have been considerations that Acosta and Adams can be too defensive in again of Musah however that wasn’t the case in any respect. Acosta was on the coronary heart of quite a lot of probabilities and in getting the ball into the field. His very good move arrange Reyna on the play leading to Pefok’s miss. Within the second half, Acosta additionally was capable of play Pulisic into the field for a very good probability that was shot over the bar.
It wasn’t with out its flaws, nonetheless, as Acosta’s set items have been erratic, and Adams didn’t get sufficient touches to have his regular footprint on the sport. Musah was clean on the ball however had a couple of robust turnovers that gave Mexico area on a counterattack.
However general, this was a very good midfield to make use of in Mexico and it nonetheless generated enough offense.
Panama at dwelling may require a special method and Acosta/Adams may not be mandatory to begin collectively. Luca de la Torre may make extra sense from an offensive method on Sunday. However at Azteca, this midfield performed properly – maybe higher than different midfield combos tried at that venue over earlier a long time.
Reyna’s ability on show
Gio Reyna’s confirmed numerous ability and at one level, he dribbled via 5 Mexican gamers earlier than finally getting stopped. However he was robust to cease and if he can enhance his minutes – he’s going to demand numerous consideration from opposing defenders. That is going to open the door for different gamers as properly (because it did with Pefok).
It’s a robust window to make use of Reyna as a result of he missed a lot time. He’s restricted within the minutes he can play, however maybe he can begin one of many two remaining video games.
We see you Gio Reyna ???? pic.twitter.com/F49wJUzd07
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 25, 2022
He is only one of many explanation why it’s clear that the youthful generations of American gamers are promising – and American participant improvement is heading in the right direction. Proper now, it’s nearly build up expertise.
Robinson/Zimmerman cement standing
Miles Robinson didn’t have an important window in January and his begin to the season with Atlanta hasn’t been nice. However he’s actually grown into the U.S. crew properly since final summer time. Walker Zimmerman has simply been constantly stable.
There continues to be points with John Brooks and Chris Richards has proven numerous promise. Different gamers like Mark McKenzie and Matt Miazga have fallen off. There are another choices like Erik Palmer-Brown (who rejoined the crew this window) and Cameron Carter-Vickers which may get appears to be like.
Proper now, it simply looks like Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman have earned the correct to be thought-about the highest pair. They’re within the driver’s seat and final evening they received the job carried out once more. Passing wasn’t fairly as sharp because it was in earlier video games, however defensively each have been very stable.
Moore added
Moore’s call-up displays a “next man up” mentality and Berhalter clearly values gamers who’ve performed with him in large video games earlier than. Moore performed in opposition to Mexico within the 2021 Gold Cup ultimate and there’s a belief issue there.
For no matter motive, Berhalter doesn’t appear to have the belief in Joe Scally but – regardless of his spectacular variety of Bundesliga minutes this season as a young person. Bryan Reynolds hasn’t actually stood out but positively on his mortgage to Kortrijk and his absence is sensible. However Moore has solely performed 674 minutes (with seven begins) this season with Tenerife as he’s a backup choice with the membership pushing for promotion in Spain’s Segunda.
Moore might be going to begin in opposition to Panama as he’s nonetheless most likely considered as a greater match than backup choices like Kellyn Acosta – who gamers there sometimes out of place.
Stay up for Panama
The U.S. crew will now return dwelling to face Panama in Orlando – a pleasant venue the place the crew has had success through the years. Altitude received’t be a problem. It received’t be too scorching and the present forecast say it is going to be 72 levels and partly cloudy.
Berhalter ought to be ok with the midfield, even when he alters Acosta and/or Musah. He has the choice to maybe begin Reyna.
If the U.S. crew wins, the U.S. crew will both qualify or come very near it. The worst that might occur with a win can be a three-point lead on fourth place Costa Rica with a possible excessive purpose differential. The U.S. crew shouldn’t maintain again on this one and will go for the win. That is its finest probability to both clinch or make clinching a foregone conclusion.
The important thing determination for Berhalter would be the ahead spot. The remainder of the choices needs to be the very best beginning XI with a glance in direction of dominating Panama.
Participant Scores
The beginning XI
Zack Steffen: The U.S. goalkeeper saved each of his photographs and appeared comfy in distribution and in dealing with crosses: Score: 6.0
DeAndre Yedlin: The brand new Inter Miami proper again didn’t contribute a lot within the assault apart from enjoying Weah successfully up the facet early to earn a harmful free kick. His yellow card put his crew in a nasty state of affairs. Defensively, he was a part of a robust backline: Score: 5.5
Walker Zimmerman: His passing wasn’t terribly efficient, however his protection was very robust. He received almost all of his duels and compelled Mexico to assault from broad positions: Score: 7.0
Miles Robinson: Like Zimmerman, Robinson had an excellent defensive efficiency in controlling the center of the sphere defensively. He had an unlucky yellow card early: Score: 6.5
Antonee “Jedi” Robinson: Robinson was good at getting ahead and in his 1v1 defending. He makes use of his velocity to bail himself out. That may not have been a problem on this sport, however which may not all the time work in opposition to quicker and athletic groups: Score: 6.5
Tyler Adams: Adams was first-rate defensively and helped stamp out Mexico’s offense. 40 touches over 80 minutes just isn’t rather a lot for him, and his passing was terribly on level – nor did it result in many offensive probabilities. However defensively, he was vital to the clear sheet: Score: 6.5
Kellyn Acosta: His set piece deliveries have been his largest weak spot on the day however Acosta had a very good sport general – on each side of the ball. He was a part of the build-up to a bunch of key probabilities and was necessary defending the center of the sphere: Score: 6.5
Yunus Musah: The Valencia midfielder was spectacular defensively – his finest defensive outing for the U.S. crew to this point by a big margin. He was clean on the ball however 29 touches over 90 minutes just isn’t rather a lot. However he labored laborious and related properly with the wingers: Score: 7.0
Christian Pulisic: The Chelsea winger was annoyed when he scuffed his first half probability from level clean vary – that was shot proper at Ochoa. Total, Pulisic wasn’t combining in addition to he often does however nonetheless helped the U.S. crew have the higher of the assault for the primary 60-70 minutes: Score: 6
Tim Weah: The Lille winger was the perfect beginning attacker for the U.S. crew. He was efficient getting up the correct facet, drawing fouls and creating stable probabilities. He solely performed an hour however he was actually good defensively as properly: Score: 7.0
Ricardo Pepi: Apart from his mixture work with Weah to create Pulisic’s finest probability, Pepi was principally invisible and remoted: Score: 5.0
The Substitutes
Gio Reyna: Terrific ability from Reyna to provide the U.S. offense life because the fatigue of Azteca started to set in for the starters. He arrange Pefok properly and his dribbling (together with the one via 5 Mexican gamers) demanded respect: Score: 7.5
Jordan Pefok: The massive story for Pefok was the large miss and that may linger. However he was awkward throughout his half-hour on the sphere. His touches have been off, his hold-up play didn’t work, and he accomplished simply 1 single move over half-hour. He appeared misplaced after which collapsed underneath strain when he managed to get a contact. It was a tricky outing: Score: 3.5
Aaron Lengthy: When he entered within the eightieth minute, the U.S. crew was booting the ball up the sphere to kill time. Lengthy had a pleasant goal-line clearance and did properly to shore up the backline to see out the draw. He wasn’t introduced into to do a lot else: Score: 6.0
Erik Palmer-Brown: Enjoying proper again to see out a win, Palmer-Brown was merely requested to interact in timewasting, which he did. It wasn’t fairly, however he did what was requested of him whereas enjoying out of place: Score: 6
Jordan Morris: A late sub, he had only one contact and was requested to stretch the sphere and run after lengthy balls: Score: NR
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