ASN: Evaluation: USMNT concludes September with lackluster 0-0 draw vs. Saudi Arabia

The USMNT concluded the September window with a 0-0 draw agianst Saudi Arabia. Now the group will head into the World Cup on the heels of a two lackluster video games the place they scored no objectives and the depth was missing. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta could have lots to say concerning the USMNT within the days and weeks forward, however listed below are some quick ideas on the Saudi Arabia draw. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
September 27, 2022
8:50 PM

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THE UNITED STATES nationwide group performed Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday to conclude what was a really disappointing September worldwide window the place it failed to attain a single purpose and scoring alternatives had been only a few and much between. With this being the final recreation earlier than the World Cup opener, the group can be brief on momentum and confidence heading into Qatar.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter elected to make a number of adjustments to his beginning lineup than the one which misplaced a 2-0 determination to Japan on Friday. Sergino Dest moved from proper again to left again whereas DeAndre Yedlin began on the precise. Walker Zimmerman and Aaron lengthy continued to accomplice in central protection. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie remained within the midfield whereas Kellyn Acosta changed Luca de la Torre. Up prime, Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic had been on the wings with Ricardo Pepi beginning up prime.

Nothing actually labored for the U.S. group and the sport was very lackluster from begin to end. Even when the U.S. group got here to life, every now and then, the largest story is that there was no last product. The killer cross, the threatening shot, the large transfer to get previous the protection – none of that happed and even regarded near occurring. A 0-0 draw appeared just like the more than likely outcome within the first half.

I’ll have much more to say concerning the U.S. nationwide group within the days and weeks forward. However simply specializing in the quick classes from this recreation and window – listed below are only a few ideas.

Zero depth

With the U.S. group taking part in its last recreation earlier than the World Cup and coming off a clear sheet loss, it will be anticipated that there can be depth. The U.S. group badly wants a spark to offer some momentum and supply of confidence.

However that didn’t occur. The U.S. group got here out flat and there was no urgency. Sure, there wasn’t a packed home or a variety of media consideration that make it simple to rise up for video games. However as a way of delight and sense of a large match approaching, the group wasn’t capable of play like a group with lots on the road.

Pefok was an enormous winner

Jordan Pefok wasn’t even on this group, however he was the large winner. For one, when he was left off the roster, it was probably the most talked about and requested about determination for Berhalter. Greater than any participant on the group, Pefok’s absence dominated headlines. It’s simple to see why as Pefok gained the Swiss Tremendous League Golden Boot in 2021/22 and is now scoring frequently for a Union Berlin group that sits atop the Bundesliga.

Berhalter talked concerning the profile of forwards he needed, and it didn’t appeared like Pefok matched that. That might be comprehensible if the opposite forwards chosen had been all taking part in nicely, however the U.S. group scored no objectives over 180 minutes.

The focal point will possible focus on Ricardo Pepi who was the controversial choice for this roster as he solely just lately ended an 11 month scoring drought for each membership and nation. However Pepi’s numbers on this recreation weren’t good. He performed 59 minutes and solely had 17 touches. He didn’t register a shot, accomplished simply 5 passes, and was not a part of the build-up of any scoring possibilities.

Pepi’s passive effort will solely gasoline the controversy of leaving Pefok off and Pepi can also be failing to play up the profile that Berhalter desires.

It wouldn’t be stunning now if Pefok, Ferreira, and Sargent are the three forwards heading to Qatar.

Midfield continues to be missing

Like in opposition to Japan, the midfield was the largest space the place the group got here up brief. Tyler Adams was much more improved from the Japan recreation, particularly on the defensive aspect, however he had a shot early within the first half which he hit on the keeper.

Kellyn Acosta was a shock begin give that his finest position with the U.S. group is when he serves as a backup to Adams. When he fills in for the opposite extra superior No. 8 gamers (on this case Luca de la Torre or Yunus Musah), it’s much less efficient. Acosta’s finest contributions on this recreation had been defensive, however he was given this begin as a result of de la Torre was additionally struggling.

Weston McKennie continues to wrestle. He had expensive turnovers, and his last ball merely wasn’t there. He isn’t having an excellent begin to the season for Juventus and, sadly for the U.S. group, his membership kind is carrying over to the worldwide aspect of his recreation.

However greater than the person issues, the sum or the elements falling brief is the large story. Whether or not it’s Adams-McKennie-Acosta, or Adams-McKennie-de la Torre, or any mixture with the subs of Johnny Cardoso or Malik Tillman, nothing is working. The midfield isn’t functioning nicely amongst quite a lot of completely different lineups.

Returning to their golf equipment, McKennie’s kind wants to enhance. That looks like a part of the important path in direction of enchancment kind this window and constructing in direction of doable success in Qatar.

Fullbacks had been respectable

Among the many few positives that the U.S. had on the day, the fullback place was a energy in opposition to Saudi Arabia and it additionally supplied some readability on the depth chart.

Sergino Dest shifted from the precise aspect to the left aspect and regarded very snug. The backup place to Antonee Robinson at left again in all probability doesn’t must go to a left-footer.

DeAndre Yedlin’s crossing isn’t at all times constant, however he had an excellent defensive efficiency and was aggressive in getting up and down the precise aspect within the first half. It was a recreation that improved his inventory to go to Qatar.

Joe Scally was in all probability one of many largest winners with an excellent 31 minutes off the bench at proper again. Berhalter hasn’t appeared prepared to belief Scally however this recreation ought to actually assist.

With Reggie Cannon and Sam Vines not taking part in nicely in opposition to Japan, and with Yedlin and Scally impressing, I might say that the 4 fullbacks with an inside monitor to go to Qatar are: Dest, Robinson, Scally, and Yedlin.

Another ideas

Pulisic returned to the U.S. group after lacking the Japan loss with an damage he picked up in coaching. He had a number of very spectacular moments the place he confirmed his ability when he had house within the open area. His last ball, like others on the group, by no means actually arrange any large purpose scoring possibilities.

Gio Reyna’s well being continues to be a serious concern. Even whether it is simply precautionary, it looks like issues are very contact and go together with him. He’s very gifted, however his incapability to remain wholesome makes him very unreliable.

Paul Arriola was removed from excellent on this recreation, and he wildly hit a shot over the bar, however he nonetheless was a web constructive. Like at all times, he was one of the vital energetic American gamers and the U.S. group wanted that. He additionally tracked again and made a number of necessary defensive performs.

Walker Zimmerman missed a number of passes, however was additionally an general constructive for the U.S. group. He hit a number of superb long-range passes out of the again that helped get the U.S. into good attacking positions. Defensively, he helped with the clear sheet.

It was a tricky recreation and a tricky window for Aaron Lengthy whose passing was inconsistent and his protection was behind that of his accomplice, Zimmerman. Lengthy benefitted from the accidents to Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers on this camp. With these accidents limiting his choices, Berhalter opted to attempt to construct up chemistry with Zimmerman and Lengthy. Watching the shape over the approaching weeks goes to be telling to see how Berhalter considers his choices.