Outmanned and unable to make something occur within the midfield, Andi Herzog’s U.S. under-23 crew fell to England’s U-21 aspect in a recreation that exposed the Yanks’ offensive shortcomings.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
September 04, 2015
1:30 AM
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THE UNITED STATES U-23 males’s nationwide crew fell to England’s under-21 crew, 1-0, on Thursday evening in Preston, England. The match, one of many crew’s last friendlies earlier than the beginning of Olympic Qualifying on October 1, was a plodding, principally uneventful affair. The Yanks confirmed some good flashes of play however their weaknesses had been positively uncovered.
Andi Herzog despatched his males out in a 4-4-2 formation, with Cody Cropper in purpose, Boyd Okwuonu at left again, Eric Miller at proper again, and a central protection pairing of Matt Miazga and Shane O’Neill. Will Trapp, Marc Pelosi, Alonso Hernandez, and Emerson Hyndman began within the midfield whereas Mario Rodriguez paired with Jerome Kiesewetter up prime.
The U.S. crew began off comparatively nicely and generated just a few respectable alternatives, the very best coming within the nineteenth minute when Rodriguez got here near scoring however pushed his shot large. From that time on, nevertheless, England took management of the match and Cropper was compelled to make a pair of respectable saves earlier than halftime.
England resumed its management of the match after intermission and almost went forward within the 54th minute when captain James Ward-Prowse hit a swerving 25-yard shot that compelled a troublesome save from goalkeeper Zack Steffen (who changed Cropper on the half).
Within the 72nd minute England took the lead when Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore obtained on the tip of a unfastened ball within the field and slid a go to a large open James Wilson. The Manchester United product poked the ball house with ease for the sport’s solely purpose.
All advised the U.S. defended nicely but it surely struggled to create respectable probabilities. It is value mentioning that Gareth Southgate’s England squad featured plenty of expertise, together with 14 gamers with Premier League expertise. It is hardly embarrasing to lose to the English U-21s, in England, however the People’ incapacity to implement something resembling a recreation plan will not be a constructive signal for this unit.
Andi Herzog’s crew will now journey 45 minutes southeast to Bury, England, to face Qatar on September 8. Listed here are three ideas on the sport.
O’Neill and Cropper impressed
Whereas it was a largely torpid efficiency for the U.S., Cropper and O’Neill clearly stood out. Cropper made a pair of massive saves within the first half to maintain the U.S. shut and he learn the sport nicely and justified why he’s doubtless the first-choice keeper. Whereas Steffen did nicely within the second half, Cropper needed to work exhausting to maintain the sport scoreless.
O’Neill stood tall in central protection, making a collection a collection of vital blocks and interceptions to interrupt up a number of harmful probabilities for England. After a robust match in Toulon, O’Neill appears to be like to be one of many prime gamers on the U-23 crew.
Midfield play was non-existent
If there was a significant trigger for concern, it might be the crew’s midfield play. Confronted with a poised English protection, the U.S. midfielders didn’t appear to have a clue as to how you can break them down. Typically, the creativity and the offensive concepts weren’t there. Too many passes resulted in turnovers and the American midfielders had been on their again foot for a lot of the recreation.
At any time when the U.S. crew possessed the ball, it appeared just like the off-the-ball motion wasn’t the place it wanted to be to open up the sport.
Lack of Width Restricted the Yanks
It appears to be an issue for U.S. nationwide groups in any respect ranges, however for this U-23 crew it was particularly evident: There have been no large choices.
The fullbacks did not create—Boyd Okwuonu had an off evening and Eric Miller was robust defensively however supplied little going ahead. Within the midfield, Pelosi and Hernandez appeared uncomfortable out large.
Because of this, all the things appeared to wish to go up the center for the US and it was each predictable and simple for England to defend.
