ASN: Takeaways because the USMNT wins Pochettino’s debut 2-0 over Panama

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Panama to open the Pochettino period. It was an honest performances and thei huge takeaway was the strategy to get Musah extra concerned. 

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Brian Sciaretta

Posted
October 14, 2024
4:00 AM

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THE MAURICIO POCHETTINO period of america nationwide staff started on Saturday evening in Austin, TX with a 2-0 win over Panama. The brand new-look U.S. staff obtained off to a sluggish begin with each groups even within the first half, however the second half noticed enchancment as Yunus Musah opened the scoring within the forty ninth minute and Ricardo Pepi put the sport away in stoppage time.

Pochettino was restricted by a number of accidents along with his beginning lineup. Weston McKennie wasn’t capable of go and was subsequently launched from camp together with Zack Steffen and Marlon Fossey, all of whom didn’t play towards Panama. However Pochettino began a number of traditional suspects with Christian Pulisic on the wing, Antonee Robinson at left again, captain Tim Ream in central protection, and Yunus Musah in midfield. Additionally, Joe Scally continued to start out at proper again within the absence of Sergino Dest.

That also left Pochettino with some essential choices. With Tim Weah out, Breden Aaronson obtained the nod over Haji Wright to play reverse Pulisic on the wings. Josh Sargent has struggled to see the sector with the USMNT on account of accidents over the previous yr, however he was given the beginning over Ricardo Pepi and Brandon Vazquez. Mark McKenzie began alongside Tim Ream in central protection. Matt Turner began in objective over Patrick Schulte.

The most important choice for Pochettino was in central midfield as Aidan Morris and Gianluca Busio had been paired collectively. The duo had been a part of the latest Olympic cycle earlier than Morris transferred in the summertime and was in the end not launched.

The primary half resembled how the staff carried out over the previous yr. The U.S. staff had some probabilities however the assault was toothless, and Panama grew into the sport.

However the second half noticed some extra high quality and Musah put the U.S. staff forward on a very nice staff objective. Antonee Robinson managed the ball vast left however then performed it to Pulisic for a mixture with Aaronson that then put Pulisic right into a harmful place within the field. He then discovered Musah on the doorstep for an in depth vary end.

The second objective was a pleasant counterattack that noticed substitute Wright discover Pepi for a pleasant end.

Haji to Pepi.. 2-0 for the #USMNT– not an excellent efficiency for Pochettino’s debut, however a win is a win pic.twitter.com/0IPSNOtMQ2

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 13, 2024

Listed here are some ideas on this sport. Sometimes you have a look at the nice and dangerous, however nobody was dangerous. Some had been higher than others, however nobody actually harm their inventory an excessive amount of.

The Good

Christian Pulisic: The USMNT star is having an distinctive begin to the season for Milan and he delivered for Pochettino. His work on the primary objective was class. It’s these moments of top of the range that may give the USMNT an edge.

Joe Scally: The U.S. nationwide staff has had a troublesome yr, however Scally’s performances filling in for Sergino Dest have been admirable and he was one of many few gamers to flee blame for the frustration this previous summer season. Towards Panama, Scally was very regular defensively and restricted Panama’s assault on his aspect of the sector.

Tim Ream: carrying the armband, Ream had a very good day on the workplace each defensively and in his distribution from the again.

Aidan Morris: The midfielder continues to develop as a participant. He’s had an excellent yr on the membership stage beginning with Columbus and now Middlesbrough. That development has continued to the nationwide staff and he seems to be like a really promising addition. He helps in possession and in protection however he can also create probabilities. With the continued harm uncertainties of Tyler Adams and likewise with Johnny Cardoso nonetheless trying to translate membership success to nationwide staff success, gamers like Morris and Tanner Tessmann are essential.

Matt Turner: the USMNT goalkeeper has questions surrounding his standing inside this squad given his lack of taking part in time over the previous two years in England. It wasn’t the busiest of days for Turner, however his saves within the 53rd minute off Barcenas after which the rebound shot from Martinez had been spectacular and they need to give him some confidence.

Yunus Musah: Everybody is aware of Musah has expertise, however the subject with him as all the time been the ultimate product. Towards Panama, Musah didn’t have one of the best first half, however he got here to life within the second half to attain the opening objective. The end was good, however the run and the instincts to assault within the field when he did was one thing we haven’t actually seen from him earlier than with the U.S. staff and even Milan.

Gianluca Busio: Is Busio a playmaker, or is he one other central midfielder to assist in possession? These are essential questions and Busio wants to search out an id. Towards Panama, he was helpful each in possession and in creating probabilities – his previous to Josh Sargent within the forty second ought to have been an help. The sport confirmed Busio is an efficient participant, however is precise position continues to be not clear.

Haji Wright: It was a pleasant shift off the bench for Wright who entered within the 67th minute and stretched Panama’s protection. He was rewarded for his efforts with an help to Pepi late within the sport.

The Combined

Josh Sargent: of all of the U.S. gamers, Sargent had the closest to an off day. This additionally got here at a foul time as he was lastly wholesome sufficient to contribute to the U.S. staff and with a brand new head coach together with an unsettled striker pecking order, Sargent didn’t stand out. He had probabilities to attain, and within the forty second minute he skied a ball over the objective.

Ricardo Pepi: Sure, he had the objective. However was invisible as much as that time.

Mark McKenzie: It was an enormous alternative for McKenzie to step into central protection, which is unsettled, and make a case. The outcomes had been okay. He had some good moments along with his passing, but in addition a number of giveaways and an avoidable foul late. He nonetheless ought to be within the plans transferring forwards, however he didn’t increase his case tremendously towards Panama.

Musah’s Position

One of many huge takeaways from the sport was Musah’s position, the place he was moved to the surface. It’s one of many first huge choices made by Pochettino when it comes to a job with a key participant. Pochettino was by no means going to make drastic modifications to every thing instantly, however Musah’s positioning required the Argentine to become involved. Musah has been robust to outline, even on the membership stage. He likes to play centrally, however membership managers typically ultimately transfer him outdoors.

Pochettino believed this was finest, to take him out of the buildup to performs but in addition give him the liberty (and hopefully the boldness) to become involved on the finish of performs. Musah has all the time been easy on the ball, however his finish product was missing. In Pochettino’s first sport, Musah delivered his first worldwide objective.

Very nice work from the #USMNT.. Musah with the end, nevertheless it’s a staff objective. Aaronson & Pulisic key pic.twitter.com/UD1cXUFbl7

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 13, 2024

“I think it was an important moment for him, to trust in him,” Pochettino stated about Musah. “But maybe not to give too much responsibility in the buildup. It’s only to be in a position that can help the team.”

“Fantastic for him, fantastic for the team,” he added.

Whereas Musah does want to play centrally, will he embrace taking part in on the wing and look to search out methods to be extra productive? The jury continues to be out. Musah has performed loads on the wing for the membership stage and his objectives/assists aren’t terrific. Additionally, Panama is bettering however continues to be not a excessive stage opponent. However he’s nonetheless a month in need of his twenty second birthday and perhaps now he can be wiser with the best way he performs the place.

“And now maybe he’ll start to perform and behave in a different way, full of confidence,” Pochettino stated. “That is the important [reason] in our decision, is trying to help. We are here to help the player to find their best.”

Wanting forward

There are much more factors I want to make concerning the huge image for the USMNT – akin to central midfield and central protection. However these ought to come after the Mexico sport which can be an enormous check coming away in Guadalajara and with the staff shorthanded given the departure of a number of gamers.

However the absence of gamers like Pulisic, McKennie, Fossey, Steffen, and Pepi will solely give different gamers an opportunity to impress. U.S. Soccer indicated that Pulisic was leaving the staff to handle his workload (one thing Pochettino stated involved him), however the different 4 gamers had been leaving on account of minor accidents.

USMNT roster vs. Mexico

(CLUB/COUNTRY; CAPS/GOALS)

GOALKEEPERS (3):?Ethan Horvath (Cardiff Metropolis/WAL; 9/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 46/0)

DEFENDERS (7):?Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 6/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 15/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 63/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 47/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 29/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 13/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 2/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6):?Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 45/8), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 14/1), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 8/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 42/1), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyonnais/FRA; 3/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 15/0)

FORWARDS (4):?Josh Sargent (Norwich Metropolis/ENG; 26/5), Brandon Vazquez (Mon

A couple of observations about this depleted roster:

Heart ahead is once more up for grabs. Vazquez ought to be closely motivated to play towards Mexico in Mexico. That is the chance that has eluded him. He may not begin, however I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play.

It’s laborious to see Malik Tillman not getting a begin as Pochettino kinds via his choices. He’s one other participant that has struggled to translate membership success to success with the USMNT. He can be a really fascinating participant to observe. If Tillman doesn’t begin this sport, an enormous query postgame can be how Tillman skilled throughout the week?

Tessmann and Morris are gamers trying to take huge steps ahead from the U-23 stage to the USMNT stage. The staff has all the time seemed weak with out a wholesome Tyler Adams and backup plans have by no means actually solidified. Pochettino has an opportunity to have a look at younger choices who can realistically assist. Morris impressed towards Panama, however Mexico could be one other stage. Each Tessmann and Morris have had good years.

Pochettino may also proceed to experiment in central protection. Ream’s age makes it troublesome to have his identify within the XI written in stone. Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty would possibly get the nod.

Lastly, goalkeeper is an enormous query. Matt Turner’s membership issues aren’t going away. The identical is true for Ethan Horvath. It’s simple to see Patrick Schulte getting the beginning. He’s had success in Mexico this previous yr in huge membership video games and his common beginning job makes him an choice that’s unattainable to disregard.