ASN: Younger Yanks Grasp on for Key Draw In opposition to Colombia

In opposition to all odds, the U.S. under-23 males’s nationwide staff jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in Colombia and fought its option to a 1-1 draw within the first leg of a do-or-die Olympic qualifying playoff. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 25, 2016
9:30 PM

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THE U.S. UNDER-23 TEAM arrived in Colombia as a heavy underdog however walked out of Barranquilla with a really acceptable 1-1 draw. Whereas Colombia was by far the extra harmful staff, the Individuals will now return to the USA with an actual likelihood at advancing to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Luis Gil gave the Individuals a 1-0 lead within the fifth minute on a cross from Mario Rodriguez. Within the second half, the Yanks fought valiantly to hold on for a win however Kellyn Acosta was known as for a penalty, and Colombia transformed.

Listed here are my ideas on the sport.

Search for modifications within the second leg

The U.S. created a number of possibilities along with the aim. Gil almost scored a second and Jordan Morris delivered an impressively highly effective shot from outdoors the field with the skin of his foot. It clanged off the cross bar and saved the Yanks from taking a two-goal lead.

The U.S. might want to set up simpler play from its fullbacks within the return leg, and the midfielders might want to discover a option to preserve possession.

Attainable modifications: Desevio Payne coming in at proper again or the harmful and attack-minded Paul Arriola at proper mid.

The U.S. staff will probably be in a lot friendlier circumstances in Dallas and little doubt buoyed by a optimistic lead to Colombia.

Gil continues to shine for U.S.

Over the previous 12 months Luis Gil noticed his enjoying time lower at Actual Salt Lake, after which he moved to Liga MX—the place he now performs for one of many worst groups within the league. And but he stays a really proficient participant and, as American followers will in all probability discover, raises his sport at any time when representing the Stars and Stripes.

It wasn’t simply the aim he scored—Gil seemed harmful within the midfield and even when Colombia managed possession, his passing opened up doorways for the U.S. attackers. Count on the 22-year-old Backyard Grove, Calif., native to be one of many key gamers in the second leg.

Tough night time for Acosta

One American who didn’t have an excellent outing is Kellyn Acosta who earned the beginning at proper again. Acosta was singled out by Jurgen Klinsmann for his displaying at January camp however on Friday the FC Dallas product simply didn’t have it.

To be honest, Acosta is a midfielder who was requested to play fullback. He flirted with the place early in his profession however has been enjoying in a box-to-box position for the reason that 2015 season. He’s been superb at that place however he struggled at left again on the U-20 World Cup the place, like tonight, he conceded a penalty to Colombia. (Not like the final time, Colombia transformed the penalty.)

Maybe sensing his discomfort, Colombia appeared to assault Acosta all sport lengthy. Matt Miazga might have achieved extra to assist his backline colleague, however for now Acosta is the goat and Herzog should take into account different choices. 

Parker shines in U-23 debut

Whereas Gil, Morris, and Mario Rodriguez all had robust video games, Tim Parker was the perfect American participant on the sector. The usdefense was beneath stress all sport lengthy and Parker was the rock within the backline.

Parker checked out ease absorbing unimaginable quantities of stress and didn’t appear to tire when Colombia spent an infinite period of time across the U.S. field. Parker was bodily robust, his positioning was excellent, and he saved his nerves in test.

What’s much more spectacular is that Parker has restricted time on the worldwide stage. He made a number of camps on the U-18 stage however was by no means part of a youth World Cup or another main worldwide competitors. He participated in January camp however didn’t play in both pleasant.

Match scores—Starters

Ethan Horvath: Solely made one mistake when he acquired caught in no man’s land however made a number of good saves. He left the sport injured on a play the place he properly got here out of his space to move the ball out of a harmful scenario. Ranking: 6.5

Kellyn Acosta: It was a tough sport for the FC Dallas homegrown product who was enjoying out of place at proper again. Colombia attacked him nonstop and he conceded a penalty within the second half. Sure, the backline didn’t get a lot assist from the midfield however Acosta was too susceptible on the night time. Ranking: 4

Matt Miazga: The brand new Chelsea FC defender was a part of a backline that was requested to do rather a lot. Miazga had optimistic moments however was additionally shaky at instances. He foolishly picked up a yellow card for punting the ball away and he was partially at fault on the play that led to the penalty. Nonetheless, being a part of a protection that concedes only one aim in Barranquilla is just not unhealthy both. Ranking: 6

Tim Parker: The Vancouver Whitecaps central defender earned Man of the Match honors for his displaying Friday night time. He stood tall, confidently received his duels, and handled Colombia’s highly effective forwards. He was a beast. Ranking: 7.5

Eric Miller: The Colorado Rapids fullback earned the beginning of the left aspect and gave a serviceable defensive effort. He was crushed a number of instances but in addition got here up with some good interceptions and turnovers. Going ahead, although, he provided nothing. Ranking: 5

Wil Trapp: The Columbus Crew midfielder made some errors with expensive turnovers and he did little to alleviate the large possession drawback. His passing was merely off regardless of a pleasant cross main as much as Gil’s aim. Defensively he labored exhausting however he’ll want a significantly better outing in Texas. Ranking: 4.5

Matt Polster: The Chicago Hearth midfielder labored exhausting however total struggled mightily to carry the ball and his contact let him down. He lined loads of floor, made some good defensive performs, and added a bodily presence however the U.S. wanted to carry the ball rather a lot higher than it did. Polster, sadly, didn’t have an excellent sport in that regard. Ranking: 4

Emerson Hyndman: The Fulham midfielder drew some good fouls and was additionally stable in his distribution. Regardless of his small body, he was additionally a menace defensively. Ranking: 6.5

Luis Gil: The Queretaro central midfielder was a key participant for the U.S. groups on the U-17, U-20, and now the U-23 ranges. He appears to lift his sport in any respect the suitable instances whereas enjoying for the USA. He scored a well-taken aim within the fifth minute and almost scored a second first-half aim. Every time he was on the sector, he appeared to be a part of each harmful U.S. possession. Ranking: 7.5

Mario Rodriguez: The Monchengladbach reserve ahead made a number of well-timed runs and his help on Gil’s aim was terrific. Within the second half, he was doing what he might to get behind Colombia’s protection because it was urgent for a profitable aim. Ranking: 6.5

Jordan Morris: He loved a really robust sport and created harmful possibilities in each halves. His finest got here within the second half when his highly effective side-footed shot from 25 yards hit the crossbar. He ran a ton and it was typically a thankless job as the remainder of the U.S. aspect was out of fuel. Ranking: 7 

Substitutes

Cody Cropper: It is by no means straightforward for a goalkeeper to return in instead however Cropper did a stable job. Quickly after he entered late within the first half, he needed to make a number of fast stops. Within the second half, he continued to do his job and was not at fault for the aim from the penalty spot. Ranking: 6.5

Fatai Alashe: The San Jose midfielder got here into the sport within the 66th minute and added physicality however was not capable of match Gil’s contact or creativity. Ranking: 5

Jerome Kiesewetter: The Stuttgart reserve winger entered within the 72nd and tried to open the sport up along with his aggressive play. He had some success, drawing some fouls and shifting the ball on a number of events within the ultimate third. Regardless of some turnovers, the U.S. staff wanted somebody like Kiesewetter to generate an assault. Ranking: 5.5