ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the USMNT’s 1-1 draw with Brazil within the last pleasant earlier than the Copa America. It was a welcome consequence following an unpleasant loss to Colombia and it supplies a spark forward of the main event on U.S. soil.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
June 13, 2024
8:05 AM
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AFTER A SCHLACKING by the hands of Colombia on Saturday, the US males’s nationwide workforce responded in an enormous method on Wednesday evening after they performed Brazil to a 1-1 draw within the workforce’s last pleasant earlier than the 2024 Copa America. After a cohesive and intense effort in Orlando, the large query is now what model of the workforce will we see within the Copa America?
Considerably surprisingly, Gregg Berhalter solely made two modifications to his beginning lineup from the Colombia recreation. Yunus Musah changed Johnny Cardoso within the midfield whereas Ricardo Pepi changed Folarin Balogun at heart ahead.
The consequence was a fast-paced and open recreation that had numerous photographs. If not for some excellent goalkeeping from each Matt Turner and Alisson, the sport would have had numerous objectives for each groups.
The frantic begin noticed the U.S. workforce practically open the scoring when Musah rattled the crossbar from a tough shot from outdoors the field. Then a minute later, Christian Pulisic pressured an enormous save.
However within the seventeenth minute, Brazil took the lead following a counter assault that was completed by Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 12, 2024
Then within the twenty sixth minute, it was Pulisic who equalized on a free kick from simply outdoors the field with a low shot.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 12, 2024
The remainder of the sport continued to be open. Brazil had extra good scoring probabilities on the steadiness, however the U.S. workforce nonetheless managed to create probabilities that examined Alisson and Brazil’s backline.
The 1-1 consequence now places numerous distance between the workforce and the Colombia catastrophe and permits them to maneuver into the Copa America with constructive momentum understanding they’ll compete and create probabilities towards a few of the world’s greatest groups.
“It was a great response,” Berhalter mentioned of his workforce’s effort towards Brazil. “When I say little steps, there are still really small things that we need to fix. That [Brazil] goal is a perfect example. We targeted the wrong spot. We were way too open. You don’t kick balls into those areas. You leave yourself too exposed. We lost the ball too easily at times when we can keep it. With that stuff, we need to get better.”
Listed below are some ideas on the sport
Psychological enchancment was enormous
Overlook techniques, recreation plans, or formations. This was an old style intestine verify for the US nationwide workforce. How would they reply after an unpleasant loss? When wanting on the Colombia recreation, gamers have been making fundamental errors. There wasn’t a dedication to workforce protection. There was poor determination making to dribble or go into harmful conditions. Most of all, there was an absence of depth.
“It was disappointing when the goal went in, because you’re thinking here we go again,” Berhalter mentioned. “The first 20 minutes of the game, we give up a goal. But it was a great response from the guys. Those are the things that really build a team.”
The U.S. workforce was nonetheless removed from excellent towards Brazil, and Brazil made some uncharacteristic errors as nicely with ending, however the enchancment was enormous. The largest distinction was depth. The U.S. workforce performed with a objective and performed like the sport mattered to them as a lot because it mattered to their opponents.
“We asked for teamwork and intensity,” mentioned Berhalter. “The way we framed it is two things that are totally in their control. It doesn’t matter about the opponent, it doesn’t matter about the field, the fans or anything. That’s the type of effort that we saw today. The boys certainly did really well on that and that was good. We feel like we made a little step. Not a huge step.”
The query now turns into maintaining this depth up. The truth that the Copa video games matter and the workforce now has momentum can even assist. However the Colombia recreation will function a reminder that the distinction between the People taking part in nicely and taking part in poorly is slim. If the workforce is dialed in, they’ll compete. If one thing is off, the workforce may get run off the sector.
Scally helps his case
Some of the nice surprises over the course of each friendlies has been Joe Scally. The younger proper again had a tricky season at Borussia Monchengladbach however he did end the season taking part in his greatest soccer over the past 4 video games. He additionally struggled within the Nations League semifinal in March towards Jamaica when he was pulled at halftime.
“He just went out and did his job,” Berhalter mentioned of Scally. “And in both of these games I thought he did well and he certainly earned a spot on the roster.”
Now with Sergino Dest out injured, Scally was within the highlight to point out he can deal with the beginning job in a serious event. These two friendlies, he’s been one of many workforce’s greatest winners. He was one of many few shiny spots within the Colombia loss and he did very nicely towards Brazil on the defensive aspect.
Berhalter wanted these two friendlies to superb tune and find out about his workforce. Proper again was simply considered one of many points he wanted to determine, however Scally seems as much as the duty heading into the Copa.
Wings up, No. 9 down
One of many frequent criticisms of Berhalter’s system is that his workforce will get manufacturing out of the wings however little or no of the No. 9 gamers. This has continued to be the case regardless of having a rising variety of heart forwards enter the pool who’re scoring for his or her respective golf equipment. With Josh Sargent out, Folarin Balogun earned the beginning towards Colombia and Ricardo Pepi began towards Brazil. Neither ahead was in a position to get on the scoresheet though Balogun got here shut towards Colombia (whereas aiding on Tim Weah’s purpose).
It isn’t all unhealthy, nevertheless, because the wing manufacturing continues to be a energy. Pulisic continues to be in prime kind with the USMNT, as he has all through the final 4 years even when in powerful durations along with his membership such because the Chelsea years. Weah has by no means been a 2000-minute winger on the membership stage and even shifted to proper wingback this previous season for Juventus. However he’s at all times extra persistently harmful with the USMNT.’
With the wingers reducing centrally to get into harmful scoring positions, it requires higher chemistry to get the No. 9’s into scoring positions because it’s not so simple as getting on the top of crosses.
Heading into the Copa America, this continues to be a piece in progress. Balogun has by no means been robust along with his USMNT chemistry and Pepi performed solely restricted minutes in 2023/24 with PSV. Then we’ve Josh Sargent who has not been with the workforce because the 2022 World Cup however who has had an incredible season with Norwich. It’s a well being problem with him.
The truth that it continues to be a problem is a priority, nevertheless it’s additionally an enormous quantity of untapped potential with getting this workforce to hit its ceiling.
Turner’s rebound
Matt Turner had an enormous recreation towards Brazil the place he confirmed his strengths whereas additionally reminding us of his weaknesses. His poor go up the center on Brazil’s purpose was an pointless danger as taking part in a poor ball up the center towards a workforce like Brazil normally presents them an incredible probability. On the flip aspect, even when accomplished, it doesn’t supply the USMNT a lot. The rewards of such passes don’t justify the dangers and Turner’s energy isn’t in finishing such passes. It’s an issue of decision-making greater than talent. Choices must play to the strengths of a participant.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 13, 2024
“He stayed calm, and that’s the most important thing,” Berhalter mentioned of Turner. “I think he managed the game well. That was an incident that could have set back his confidence a little bit but he responded really well to that. Matt was a guy who wasn’t so happy with his performance last game and you can see he came out and had a much better game.”
Alternatively, Turner was good along with his shot stopping towards Brazil. If he performs like that, he can maintain the U.S. in video games towards nice opponents. If he can keep away from making errors and poor selections with the ball at his ft, the percentages are even additional elevated.
Plater Rankings
The starters
Matt Turner: Even along with his poor go up the center that began Brazil’s counter on their purpose, Turner was a nonetheless a internet constructive the place he made 11 saves (a number of of which have been spectacular) en path to the draw. Ranking: 8.0
Antonee Robinson: His last ball was missing, and he was beat a couple of occasions defensively, however he was nonetheless a handful for Brazil to include on the left aspect and he created a number of probabilities. The Fulham left again improved dramatically from his recreation towards Colombia Ranking: 6.5
Tim Ream: The Fulham (for now) central defender had a whole recreation, defending nicely and getting the ball successfully within the midfield to provoke possession. Ranking: 7.5
Chris Richards: Like Ream, defended and handed nicely though he wasn’t pressed as a lot into emergency defending. Ranking: 7.0
Joe Scally: Continued to make strides as Dest’s substitute for the Copa and the remainder of 2024. It was a tricky project to include Rodrygo however he did nicely and was efficient getting the ball into the assault a number of occasions, together with on the play the place Pulisic drew the equalizing free kick. Ranking: 7.0
Yunus Musah: The AC Milan midfielder was a nice shock on this recreation – notably on the defensive aspect of the ball the place he helped to neutralize Brazil’s assault up the center. He practically scored within the opening minutes with a shot off the crossbar. With the ball, he helped to maintain possession and wasn’t dispossessed on the dribble – which may have been pricey towards a workforce like Brazil. Ranking: 7.0
Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder was strong defensively, however didn’t actually get too concerned within the assault – the place he’s sometimes wanted. Ranking: 6.0
Gio Reyna: One other participant who was improved from Colombia, taking part in with tenacity on each side of the ball. He wasn’t too concerned in lots of direct scoring alternatives however he helped in possession and drew three fouls. Ranking: 6.5
Christian Pulisic: Was at his greatest and rose to the event when the workforce wanted a very good efficiency. He drew the foul and scored on the following free kick. He pressured Alisson to make an enormous save within the second half. He arrange Brenden Aaronson for an opportunity. Ranking: 8.0
Tim Weah: The Juventus man pressured two saves to maintain Alisson on his toes however his last ball was missing a bit along with his crosses and his dribbles have been typically unsuccessful. He additionally received simply 3/11 of his floor duels. However he nonetheless performed with urgency and was revered by the Brazilian protection. Ranking: 6.0
Ricardo Pepi: Was marked too simply out of the sport by Brazil and was unable to get a shot off or get right into a harmful place to check Brazil’s backline. Ranking: 5.0
The substitutes
Johnny Cardoso: Got here into the sport within the sixty fifth minute and helped in possession with 23/23 passing. Ranking: 6.5
Folarin Balogun: Got here into the sport within the sixty fifth and had a harmful probability that was blocked. General, 9 touches and one shot however just a little extra harmful than Pepi Ranking: 5.5
Tyler Adams: Entered the sport within the seventy fifth minute and introduced contemporary legs into the midfield as Brazil was pushing for the winner. Defended nicely to chop off passing lanes and was 5/5 in passing. Ranking: 6.0
Brenden Aaronson: Entered the sport within the seventy fifth and introduced some vitality. He may have had the winner in a while a go from Pulisic however missed the goal. Ranking: 5.5
Shaq Moore: Got here into the sport within the eighty fifth as a late defensive sub. Ranking: NR
Remaining Roster
Subsequent up for the U.S. workforce would be the announcement of the Copa America roster which is because of CONMEBOL on June 15. The roster dimension for the Copa is 26 gamers and there have been 27 gamers on this roster.
Not less than one participant will probably be minimize from this camp’s roster. The truth that Tyler Adams was in a position to play towards Brazil means he’ll possible be well worth the danger for a Copa America roster spot. He’s not at 100%, however he can nonetheless contribute.
Josh Sargent stays a risk to be minimize provided that he was unable to play in both of the 2 friendlies. Berhalter mentioned Sargent was “making progress” however whether or not he’s progressing sufficient stays to be seen.
Berhalter additionally introduced 5 central defenders with him to this camp. On condition that he stored the Ream and Richards pairing collectively for each friendlies may counsel that he has his pairing for the Copa. That would additionally open the door for Cameron Carter-Vickers (who didn’t have a very good shift off the bench towards Colombia), Mark McKenzie, or Miles Robinson to be minimize. Robinson can be a possible candidate to be an overage participant for the Olympics. Does Berhalter have to carry 5 central defenders to the Copa if he has his prime pairing?
There’s the chance that he cuts a couple of participant and provides one other participant to the workforce from outdoors the roster for this camp.
The truth that the workforce responded nicely towards Brazil, nevertheless, will possible maintain the variety of modifications from this camp to the Copa roster at a minimal.
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