ASN: Evaluation: USMNT offense falls aside in 2-0 WCQ loss to Canada

The USMNT suffered a troublesome loss to Canada and whereas the group had an edge in possession, its offense had no chunk. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the sport after a second viewing

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 31, 2022
12:45 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL group dropped a 2-0 choice to Canada on Sunday in a defeat which has now raised the stakes dramatically for its Wednesday night time conflict in opposition to Honduras in St. Paul, Minnesota. The loss was disappointing for Gregg Berhalter’s group in that it was first rate with possession, however typically the possession lacked any chunk.

Berhalter saved many of the beginning lineup collectively from the group the defeated El Salvador on Thursday – altering simply Brenden Aaronson in for Tim Weah, who was not permitted to enter Canada, Miles Robinson for Walker Zimmerman, and Gyasi Zardes in for Jesus Ferreira. All the midfield of Tyler Adams, Weston Mckennie, and Yunus Musah stayed the identical. The fullbacks of Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest additionally stayed the identical.

Canada struck first, in simply the seventh minute. A weak aim kick from Matt Turner barely reached the midfield line. Canada received the primary and second balls, performed Cyle Larin into the field on a fast break and Larin made no mistake with the end.

From there till the tip, the U.S. group had the ball however lacked objective. The slim subject (performed on the FIFA minimal of 70 meters) helped allowed Canadian defenders to rapidly shut down on American attackers.

The #USMNT lineup is out. – Musah, McKennie, & Adams midfield stays the identical together with each fullbacks, Jedi & Dest, Pulisic, & Turner- Miles Robinson replaces Walker Zimmerman in central protection to play with Richards- Aaronson replaces Weah- Zardes replaces Ferreira pic.twitter.com/p2W5cYiict

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 30, 2022

Most pictures the U.S. group had had been of little menace. Weston McKennie had the perfect probability within the first half off a nook kick late within the half and Paul Arriola’s bicycle try late within the recreation was the perfect probability within the second half.

After Chris Richards was pressured out of the sport as a consequence of harm, the U.S. group was shorthanded since all substitutions had been made. Deep into stoppage time, Sam Adekugbe took benefit of open house within the U.S. group’s backline and scored on a counterattack to make sure all three factors went to the Canadians.

Listed here are some ideas on the sport

Want extra midfield playmaking

The midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah has promise and all three gamers are gifted. However it’s truthful to ask if they’re redundant – particularly between McKennie and Musah – and if there’s sufficient means to create. If not, it places numerous stress on the entrance line to do all the work within the entrance third.

On this recreation, the entrance three fell aside and weren’t in-synch and had been typically left to do issues individually. The absence of teamwork among the many entrance three or the hyperlink between the midfield and the entrance three was missing.

On this recreation, the U.S. group outshot Canada 13-8 however the higher possibilities had been all in Canada’s favor. Many of the U.S. possibilities had been half-chances, at greatest.

There are different choices to discover. Can Aaronson play within the midfield with McKennie? This replicates the position that Aaronson performs at Salzburg. There’s additionally the pending return of Gio Reyna as properly, and he may slide into the attacking midfield as properly. Then there are the normal backup gamers resembling Lletget, Roldan, and de la Torre.

The midfielders are all gifted and have qualities however exploring combos that not simply assist with possession however assist with creation appears to be a worthwhile process.

Techniques

The U.S. group appeared to play into Canada’s palms on this recreation. The U.S. group accomplished over twice as many passes as Canada (438-210). The passing contained in the opposing half was much more lopsided in favor of the U.S. group with 233-78.

Canada didn’t appear to thoughts. Head coach John Herdman trusted his group’s protection and knew he had superior forwards in Jonathan David and Cyle Larin the place it solely wanted a number of possibilities to attain.

Former U.S. nationwide group World Cup ahead Bruce Murray stated this after the sport.

Who cares about possession dominance once they (Canada) are enjoying for the counter assault all day,” Murray stated. “We were out coached today. I would also add that the like for like subs were not the answer. Should’ve gone to a back three – pushing Robinson inside and bringing another player into the center of the park higher up the field. The players need to understand that it’s win or bust in the approach. That’s not what the head coach was talking about after the game.”

Relating to the substitution method, Murray appears to be right. The group’s method wasn’t working and possibilities had been minimal. Canada had the U.S. group found out and a special look may have examined Canada. As an alternative, a like for like substitution sample allowed Canada to maintain up with its similar, efficient defensive plan.

Bettering Canada

Canada deserves to be on the high of the Octagon proper now and the explanation why is that they’re very properly coached, and the gamers all perceive and imagine in one another. After I was watching them, it jogged my memory of the U.S. nationwide group underneath the primary cycle of Bruce Enviornment in 2002 or the Bob Bradley-coached cycle in 2010. This group has no issues punching above their weight they usually discover targets regardless of being at a possession drawback.

Nobody appreciated to play in opposition to the U.S. group in these eras and nobody needs to play in opposition to this Canada group both.

Looking forward to Honduras

This recreation is now massively essential. Sure, Honduras is lifeless final within the Octagon – with no win and sitting on simply three factors from 10 video games. However upsets occur and this can’t be taken calmly.

The U.S. group has to win this – and it might additionally assist massively if Mexico can pound Panama. The U.S. group has only a one-point lead on fourth-place Panama. If the U.S. falls into fourth, it might be within the relegation playoff place.

The minute the draw was introduced, what stood out was the problem of the ultimate window with away video games in opposition to Mexico and Canada together with a house recreation in opposition to a Panama group that’s enjoying superb soccer proper now.

It’ll be very shut if the U.S. group heads into the ultimate window with a lead of fewer than 4 factors on a qualifying spot. Whether it is 4 factors, it turns into all about successful that second recreation in March in opposition to Panama.    

Proper now, a U.S. win over Honduras and a Mexico win over Panama would give the U.S. group a four-point cushion. But when both of these don’t occur, it’s going to be very tight.

On this recreation on Wednesday, Berhalter will most likely follow the staples of McKennie, Adams, A. Robinson, Dest, Pulisic. Weah will seemingly return to the beginning lineup. The attention-grabbing choices will are available who completes the midfield? Who begins up high? Who’s in central protection?

And whereas this has been acknowledged many occasions, the U.S. group’s attacking set items have been woefully ineffective throughout the complete Octagon. There are numerous causes for this, however one is that Pulisic’s deliveries haven’t been good.

Participant Scores vs. Canada

The beginning lineup

Matt Turner: His poor aim kick gave rise to Canada’s assault up the center. The worst half wasn’t the kick however quite that he took it earlier than his fullbacks moved up the sphere. It gave Canada numbers within the midfield to begin their rush. Other than that, Turner was okay but it surely was a troublesome second. Score: 4.5

Antonee Robinson: Was considered one of many gamers caught a bit flat-footed on Canada’s opening aim. His ultimate ball let him down for many of the day. Score: 4.5

Miles Robinson: Robust day on the workplace for Robinson who had a hand in each targets, albeit his missed deal with on the second aim was when he was protecting numerous house as a consequence of Richards being out injured, along with his group all the way down to 10 gamers, and attempting to press. Nonetheless, this was not his day. Score: 4.0

Chris Richards: He may have accomplished higher on the primary aim, and his absence was felt on the second aim. Nonetheless, it wasn’t that sturdy of a efficiency. Score: 4.5

Sergino Dest: Did a good job defending Tajon Buchanan, which was one of many group’s high priorities. Dest didn’t get ahead that a lot and he had a turnover within the 71st minute which gave Canada an opportunity. Score: 5.5

Tyler Adams: Did his half in opposition to a bodily sturdy Canada group that was gunning for counter assaults. Score: 6.0

Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder ought to have accomplished higher along with his forty third minute header off a nook and he additionally dedicated 5 fouls to interrupt the circulation of the sport. He misplaced numerous his 50/50 balls on high of the fouls. Nonetheless, he was aggressive along with his dribbling (most likely the perfect on the group) and his passing from distance is an asset. Score: 5.5

Yunus Musah: the Valencia midfielder was on the ball sufficient however his offensive chunk was missing and he wasn’t a part of something too harmful. Score: 5.0

Christian Pulisic: The Chelsea winger had three pictures, though none had been harmful. His set piece deliveries had been additionally not improved from the El Salvador recreation. He did draw numerous consideration to Canadian defenders who seemed to foul him as soon as he seemed threatening. His dribbling by no means actually opened up something and his successful of fifty/50 balls was additionally poor for a second straight recreation. On this one he was 3/13. Score: 4.5

Brenden Aaronson: Aaronson introduced vitality on this recreation and what little offense the U.S. group created, appeared to come back from him as he arrange every of Pulisic’s three pictures. He additionally received a majority of his duels (7/13), was more practical in his dribbling, pressed, and was additionally 3/3 in his tackling. Score: 5.5

Gyasi Zardes: The Columbus Crew midfielder struggled on the smaller subject the place the protection was instantly collapsing round him. A part of his struggles had been on a scarcity of service, however a part of it was additionally on him. He had some good hold-up performs however couldn’t assist generate something close to the aim. Score: 4.0

The Substitutes

Ricardo Pepi: He introduced some vitality to the U.S. group’s assault however skied a half-chance late. Score: 5.0

Kellyn Acosta: Acosta was first rate however didn’t actually elevate the U.S. group’s midfield apart from as soon as good long-looping ball into the field which created a half-chance from close-range. Score: 5.5

Jordan Morris: The Seattle Sounder was aggressive along with his runs however may by no means discover the open house he craves in opposition to a deep-lying Canadian protection. Score: 5.0

Paul Arriola: The brand new FC Dallas winger most likely ought to have come into the sport sooner and he was one of many extra aggressive U.S. attackers the ultimate quarter-hour of the sport. He practically had an equalizer with an acrobatic bicycle kick that might have been a aim for the ages. Score: 6.0

Reggie Cannon: Got here in late for Dest however didn’t actually assist the group push ahead when offense was wanted. Score: 5.0