The worldwide window has introduced with us information from Indonesia the place the U.S. U-17 group has secured a berth within the knockouts of their World Cup after a win over Burkina Faso, the USMNT is about for matchday tomorrow, and a few MLS groups have made curious choices.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
November 15, 2023
2:30 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
There’s a lot to breakdown, however let’s begin in Indonesia with the U-17 World Cup.
U.S downs Burkina Faso
The US U-17 nationwide group is thru to the spherical of 16 on the World Cup following a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso within the early morning hours of Wednesday within the USA. The group now has six factors from its first two video games. They nonetheless sit second within the group as a result of France additionally has six factors and has a one aim edge on aim differential.
The U.S. and France will face one another on Saturday at 7am EST with the U.S. needing a win to win the group. If France wins or attracts, it’ll win the group and the U.S. will end second. France is without doubt one of the event favorites.
Burkina Faso was thought-about a tricky opponent heading into the event on condition that they defeated Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mali (who’ve been spectacular on the World Cup) in qualifying. They solely misplaced to eventual African champions Senegal on penalties, and Senegal has six factors together with a win over Argentina up to now on the World Cup.
The U.S. group didn’t all the time carry the run of play on this sport, however they did handle to get targets from two superior forwards in Keyrol Figueroa and Nimfa Berchimas. That allowed them to have a 2-0 lead at halftime. Then within the second half, the usshifted to a defensive method. Burkina Faso had possibilities nevertheless it wasn’t till the 89th minute they pulled one again.
Ideas on the win
There may be a variety of speak on Berchimas who has been one of many revelations of the event. Once you takeaway the performances some forwards have had in opposition to New Caledonia (-19 GD over two video games), Berchimas has been the very best attacking participant on the event.
It’s not solely his targets, nevertheless it’s additionally him having one other known as again for offside however nonetheless took a variety of talent, and it was him serving to to create the group’s different two targets. Then there may be the kicker – he’s solely 15 and is even eligible for the following U-17 World Cup in 2025.
The U-17 World Cup is popping into the Nimfa Berchimas Present. The Charlotte FC winger has 3 targets in 2 video games and has additionally been a part of the construct as much as the group’s different 2 targets.
The united statesmoves to six factors after a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso pic.twitter.com/8sbF2aZpFZ
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 15, 2023
Charlotte FC has performed a superb job together with his improvement and U-17 head coach Gonzalo Segares stated after the win over South Korea that Berchimas has been well-prepared.
The massive query after this event might be how Charlotte bridges the hole between youth and first group soccer. He’s nonetheless not prepared for significant first group minutes, however he’s not far off from cameos in 2024. Nevertheless it’s about managing expectations, discovering acceptable ranges to problem him, after which discovering methods he will be with the primary group once in a while.
Additionally on this sport, it was good to get Figueroa going. He was the group’s main scorer at qualifying however has been coping with accidents in current months. For the U.S. group, having each Berchimas and Figueroa is a big increase. They don’t have to be at their greatest to attain if these gamers are in kind.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) November 15, 2023
The U.S. group hasn’t been nice at this World Cup, however they’ve overwhelmed two good groups. On this sport, it took some good emergency defending and massive saves by Adam Beaudry, who seems very spectacular on the event. He’s solely enjoying as a result of Barcelona’s Diego Kochen is injured however Beaudry has been one of many prime goalkeepers within the event.
An enormous takeaway is that Burkina Faso outshot the American group 26-7. However the U.S. had attacking gamers that might face up to that. Then again, the uscompleted 483 passes whereas Burkina Faso accomplished simply 219.
The draw stays troublesome for the U.S. group, in the event that they beat France, they doubtless face Argentina within the spherical of 16. In the event that they lose or draw France, they doubtless face Germany. The massive European groups have all been performing nicely at this event.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 15, 2023
However expectations have been low for this squad they usually’re surpassing them. It’s a likeable group that has a few of the old-time traits which are steadily dismissed – they work onerous, they’re gritty, they battle, and many others.
No matter, it’s working.
USMNT prepares for Trinidad & Tobago
The US will host Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday evening in Austin. The sport is extra than simply typical Nations League stuff as a result of it does function qualification for the Copa America – which the U.S. group nonetheless must qualify regardless of internet hosting.
It’s not an excellent alternative to find out about gamers as Trinidad & Tobago are struggling. Moderately, that is nearly securing outcomes after which regrouping in March for the Nations League semifinal spherical which might be held in Dallas.
“November turns the page and now it’s about competing,” Gregg Berhalter stated. “We want to win the Nations League again, this will set us up to do this. We want to play in the Copa America, this will set us up to do this… It’s easy for us to sit here on this side and say we want to change soccer in America forever, but the real meat of it is that we have to win games like this. We have to position ourselves to win trophies in the Nations League and to compete in the Copa America.”
Welcome to Paredes ???? pic.twitter.com/GhBOilY8hU
— U.S. Males’s Nationwide Soccer Workforce (@USMNT) November 15, 2023
The massive query, in fact, would be the wing gamers on condition that each Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah are out. Alejando Zendejas, Kevin Paredes, Brenden Aaronson, and his youthful brother Paxten Aaronson are the most certainly choices. There are questions on every of those gamers. Zendejas hasn’t had a superb first ear with the U.S. group however has been enjoying higher for Membership America. The elder Aaronson is caught with a Union Berlin group the place nobody is enjoying nicely. Paxten Aaronson remains to be younger and isn’t enjoying repeatedly. Kevin Paredes has solely only in the near past turn into a starter for Wolfsburg.
“Obviously, I can agree that my Gold Cup wasn’t the best, but you’ve just gotta look at the next opportunity you have,” Zendejas stated. “As they say in Mexico, ‘de menos a más’. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity. To play with my teammates and let them know what I bring to the table.”
The Brotherhood, actually.
The Aaronsons are the most recent set of brothers to symbolize the #USMNT » https://t.co/h0elIS6JzP pic.twitter.com/PCI2o4CMEl
— U.S. Males’s Nationwide Soccer Workforce (@USMNT) November 15, 2023
The opposite large query is the health degree of Gio Reyna and what number of minutes he can play. With prime wing choices out, he could possibly be a helpful playmaker. Berhalter stated on Wednesday that there was no restriction on minutes for Reyna and there’s no preplanned substitution for him.
The remainder of the group is generally identified. With Tyler Adams out, Yunus Musah may slide deeper into the midfield behind Weston Mckennie and sure both Reyna or Luca de la Torre. Fullbacks Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson ought to be capable to push ahead so much and supply service to the ahead, doubtless Folarin Balogun. If all goes in accordance with plan, it must be a simple day for the centerbacks and Matt Turner in aim.
“It was an interesting transition they have had,” Berhalter stated of Trinidad & Tobago. “After the Gold Cup, they shed half their roster, mainly, and stated – okay, we’re beginning over. You possibly can see the starvation on this new group.”
Lesesne let go by RBNY
On Tuesday, RBNY introduced that head coach Troy Lesesne wouldn’t return to the membership regardless of that he led them to the playoffs with a powerful efficiency down the stretch. There was additionally the announcement that the membership mutually parted methods with sporting director Denis Hamlet.
For me, this resolution was shocking. Lesesne did nicely with the hand that was given to him. It was not his fault that designated participant Dante Vanzier was a distraction who underperformed, was overpaid, and was injured down the stretch. It was additionally not on Lesesne for the membership not changing the injured Lewis Morgan who was the group’s main scorer in 2022.
The New York Purple Bulls have opted to not renew the contract of Troy Lesesne. We thank Troy for his professionalism whereas navigating the group via difficult occasions.
Zach Prince has additionally been relieved of his duties as assistant coach. We want Troy and Zach a lot success going… pic.twitter.com/Mp1HqtiuQW
— New York Purple Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 14, 2023
Lesesne had the help of the locker room and the followers warmed to him because the 12 months progressed. However as an alternative, the membership that has gotten a lot mistaken (from signing gamers to letting Bradley Carnell go) have now determined that they need to look elsewhere for a brand new coach.
I’d anticipate Lesesne to land on his ft whereas the Purple Bulls need to make a personnel resolution which has confirmed to be troublesome previously.
Chicago extends Heitz & Pelzer
In a transfer that surprised Chicago Hearth followers, the membership determined to offer contract extensions to sporting director Georg Heitz and technical director Sebastian Pelzer.
Chicago Hearth FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz has signed a contract extension.#cf97
— Chicago Hearth FC (@ChicagoFire) November 14, 2023
The transfer was deeply unpopular with Hearth followers who have been relentless on social media. Nevertheless it wasn’t unfair. They’ve very robust factors which are apparent. Proprietor Joe Mansueto stated that the group didn’t make the playoffs final 12 months. That is true. However additionally they haven’t made the playoffs since 2017. They haven’t received a playoff sport since 2009. To speak about this current season misses the large image solely.
The announcement additionally cites younger gamers being recognized, however gamers similar to Gaga Slonina, Chris Brady, and Brian Gutierrez have been all within the academy earlier than Heitz and Pelzer arrived.
Chicago Hearth FC Proprietor & Chairman Joe Mansueto discusses the sporting management strikes and the Membership’s future.#cf97 | #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/0FJNQ1hzNt
— Chicago Hearth FC (@ChicagoFire) November 14, 2023
Sure, the Hearth have performed nicely enjoying and promoting younger gamers these days. However that basically solely issues to a fanbase if the group wins. Promoting gamers like Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Matt Miazga, Mark McKenzie, or Matt Turner is one factor. They got here from successful groups. Promoting good younger gamers who don’t assist a group earlier than they’re bought doesn’t matter to followers.
General, there may be a variety of disappointment within the Hearth fanbase and it’s greater than comprehensible.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25787348/2189619020.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Place battleground (protection): Cowboys vs Panthers head-to-head breakdown")
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25788291/Detroit_1_121124.png?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Lions followers consider Detroit’s offense wants to arrange for shootout vs. Payments")
