ASN: Younger Yanks be taught robust lesson in a 2-0 loss to a robust Brazil staff

The US nationwide staff was on the mistaken finish of a 2-0 resolution to Brazil. However with friendlies, it is not in regards to the outcome, it is about what the staff took from the expertise. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta is right here to interrupt it down.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
September 07, 2018
10:30 AM

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THE UNITED STATES nationwide staff was defeated by a really sturdy Brazil staff 2-0 in New Jersey the place it conceded two first half objectives and didn’t muster a lot assault from the run of play.

Interim head coach Dave Sarachan predictably named a youthful beginning XI that featured Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams in central midfield. Julian Inexperienced and Paul Arriola on the wings. Wil Trapp within the defensive midfield place and Bobby Wooden up prime. The backline had Antonee Robinson and DeAndre Yedlin at fullbacks with John Brooks and Matt Miazga within the center. Zack Steffen was in aim.

General, the common age of the USMNT starters was 23 years 117 days and Brazil’s starters averaged 26 years 327 days.

Brazil regularly attacked the U.S. staff down the flanks and scored first when Juventus winger Douglas Costa beat Antonee Robinson and despatched an ideal cross that arrange Firmino for a straightforward end. Then earlier than the half, Neymar transformed a penalty on a harsh resolution when it was dominated Wil Trapp dedicated a foul within the field.

The U.S. staff performed onerous however Brazil was clearly higher and deserved the win.

Listed here are some ideas

Brazil was in management
The younger U.S. staff tried to go at Brazil early however Brazil rapidly obtained the sport below management. The distinction between the groups couldn’t be seen on the scoreboard or within the stats, however somewhat when watching the sport Brazil was all the time calm and by no means pressured to play an intense sport.

The U.S. staff, labored onerous and definitely performed with an admirable effort. But it surely was not in a position to put Brazil right into a place the place it needed to increase its sport.

Robinson was the goal
It was anticipated that Antonee Robinson would get the beginning for the U.S. staff at left again as he performed effectively in opposition to France in June and is off to a powerful begin this season the place he’s on mortgage from Everton.

However Brazil went after Robinson early and sometimes. On the primary aim, Robinson was crushed for pace – regardless of the actual fact he is among the quickest gamers on the U.S. staff. However that wasn’t an remoted incident as Brazil regularly went down his aspect.

After the sport, Sarachan spoke extremely of Robinson which is becoming to point out confidence in a younger participant.

Robinson ought to proceed to be an essential a part of the U.S. staff however this was a particular studying lesson in regards to the elite degree of worldwide play.

USMNT attacking formation
The US didn’t generate a lot within the assault in opposition to Brazil – which isn’t stunning.

The dearth of in-form forwards or artistic No. 10 midfielders within the participant pool is an enormous concern. Christian Pulisic is injured in the intervening time, however the U.S. staff wants a greater “Plan B” when the Hershey native is just not within the lineup. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie had good moments within the sport however neither are the artistic forces at their respective golf equipment.

One such choices may very well be to minimize the flanks extra, however an enormous query on this sport is why Sarachan didn’t go for a formation with three central defenders and two wing backs. That will have given Yedlin and Robinson extra defensive cowl and allowed them to press additional down into the assault. That labored effectively in opposition to France in June.

At forwards, it’s nonetheless a troubling a part of the participant pool. Too many younger gamers aren’t taking part in and too many veterans aren’t scoring for his or her golf equipment. Gamers like Wooden want to start out scoring once more as a result of there’s an excessive amount of using now on younger gamers like Josh Sargent and Tim Weah who aren’t taking part in first-team soccer but frequently.

Studying expertise?
The truth that america misplaced to Brazil tonight doesn’t actually matter. If the U.S. staff had pulled off the upset, it wouldn’t have mattered both. The one factor that issues is whether or not this sport helps the staff and its gamers for the long run. Will tonight’s sport supply something that may assist it win video games subsequent 12 months and shifting ahead within the cycle.

After the failure to qualify for the World Cup final 12 months, there was a necessity to maneuver the staff in a youthful course. Youthful gamers will make errors and will probably be inconsistent however over a protracted time period, it might pay dividends. However endurance is required.

It’s unattainable to quantify nevertheless it wouldn’t be stunning if tonight, together with the opposite friendlies this 12 months in opposition to prime competitors, helped lay a basis for these gamers to construct their worldwide profession. The one means gamers can know what is predicted to play at excessive degree is to play in opposition to excessive degree.

Matt Miazga and John Brooks performed effectively in central protection and appear to be able to compete at a excessive degree. Others like McKennie and Adams confirmed optimistic glimpses.

Whoever is the subsequent coach of the U.S. staff will inherit a younger core that also wants plenty of work however might ultimately develop into being a stable nationwide staff. Sadly, attending to that time will see robust classes like tonight.