ASN: Three Ideas on the U.S. workforce’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica in San Jose

The USA nationwide workforce will now transfer into March for its first set of video games underneath new supervisor Gregg Berhalter with all the participant pool at his disposal. However this January camp supplied some perception into his system and allowed some gamers to construct a case for future call-ups. Brian Sciaretta provides his ideas on Saturday’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 02, 2019
4:00 PM

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THE USMNT was dominant in its 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday to conclude January camp. The 2 video games had been much more entertaining than latest January camp friendlies and whereas the extent of competitors wasn’t high, there was a recreation plan and the gamers appeared to purchase into it. For that alone, it was worthwhile.

However the success of January camp sometimes isn’t recognized for a number of months till it may be decided if any gamers used the chance to spice up their inventory and play roles with the workforce shifting ahead to when the European-based gamers are included.

The preliminary indication is that this was most likely an necessary January camp and whereas many of the gamers gained’t be starters with a first-choice lineup, there might be necessary depth gamers who emerged from this camp who will probably be a part of a full 23 participant roster.

Within the win over Costa Rica, the U.S. workforce was on the assault for many of the recreation however within the first half, the ultimate ball was missing and harmful possibilities had been minimal. Within the second half, the U.S. workforce addressed its shortcomings and broke by with a extra full efficiency. Sebastian Lletget was the perfect participant within the recreation with a purpose and an help however Jonathan Lewis additionally impressed with an help and Paul Arriola had an entire recreation that featured the sport’s second purpose.

Costa Rica was a significantly better opponent than Panama final weekend however the U.S. workforce was additionally higher and extra assured within the new system.

Listed below are some ideas from the 2-0

Significance with 1v1 attacking
Gregg Berhalter used a 4-1-2-3 formation however the beginning lineup solely had one participant in Paul Arriola who was harmful to beat defenders off the dribble. Creating scoring alternatives with out attackers who’re efficient in 1v1 conditions is troublesome – and it’s particularly arduous when the gamers are rusty because of it being in offseason. Within the first half, the U.S. workforce was higher than Costa Rica however had restricted choices for a closing ball.

When Berhalter put Lletget and Lewis into the sport, then the U.S. had three harmful gamers off the dribble. It modified the dynamics of the sport and Costa Rica couldn’t sustain defensively anymore at that time. It was the principle distinction between the primary and second half the place the U.S. workforce put all of it collectively. 

LLetget, Arriola, and Lewis confirmed worth
This was a feel-good efficiency from Sebastian Lletget. Practically two years in the past, he was going to be an enormous a part of World Cup qualifying and he scored an enormous purpose in a must-win recreation – additionally at Avaya Stadium, close to his hometown of San Francisco. However he was injured minutes later and was out for 11 months – and his absence damage the U.S. workforce throughout its doomed qualifying marketing campaign.

Now returning to the situation the place he suffered that harm, Lletget appears to be like prepared for an additional recent begin. He seemed on one other degree as he was the perfect participant on the sector. However the U.S. workforce wants No. 10 gamers proper now – particularly provided that Christian Pulisic may play as a winger. Lletget has all the time been proficient however perhaps he can lastly turn into the participant he was able to being for the U.S. workforce.

Arriola additionally had a pleasant efficiency and whereas the participant pool is getting deeper on the wing positions, Arriola has worth. He’s efficient in 1v1 conditions and he performs higher protection than most Individuals in that place. If Berhalter desires his fullbacks to chop into the center of the sector to create performs on offense, then he’ll want wingers who can defend like Arriola.

Lastly, Nick Lima appears to have proven a superb understanding of how Berhalter desires his fullbacks to play. That’s the reason he performed the complete 90 at each video games forward of Reggie Cannon – who performed on the finish of the Sarachan’s transient reign. Cannon will doubtless match into the U-23 pool however Lima has a superb opportunity to be the back-up proper again behind DeAndre Yedlin.

Trapp’s dilemma

The place does Wil Trapp match into the workforce shifting ahead? The Columbus Crew captain was an necessary participant for Berhalter in Columbus and Trapp understands Berhalter’s higher than most gamers.

However he has his limitations on the worldwide degree. The largest setback is his lack of defensive chew – which is important within the No. 6 position. With Berhalter utilizing the 4-1-2-3 formation, Trapp was a sole defensive midfielder and if Trapp doesn’t play protection properly, it places plenty of strain on the central defenders.

Within the first half, Trapp struggled because the U.S. workforce failed to interrupt down Costa Rica offensively which led to extra possession from Costa Rica. However within the second half, when the U.S. workforce was on the entrance foot, Trapp was wonderful.

Indubitably, Trapp can move very properly and within the second half he was an ideal 23/23 together with his passing. Many had been attack-oriented passes and his finest was a ravishing ball to Jonathan Lewis within the build-up to the opening purpose.

Berhalter knew how you can use Trapp at Columbus however will that carry over to the nationwide workforce? There is no such thing as a doubt gamers like Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie must be on the sector, however will Trapp have a job on a full 23 participant roster, and if he does play, will it’s alongside one other No. 6 or will Trapp should play that position by himself?