Source link : https://usa-foot.com/asn-5-ideas-on-the-us-victory-over-ghana/
Brian Sciaretta watched Saturday’s 2-1 win over Ghana a second time, in search of nuances and subtleties that may have slipped previous throughout his preliminary viewing. Listed here are 5 key takeaways to think about.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
July 03, 2017
9:30 AM
SHARE THIS STORY
AS ALL AMERICAN SOCCER FANS ought to know by now, the US defeated Ghana 2-1 Saturday in a tune-up pleasant forward of the 2017 Gold Cup, which kicks off this weekend. It was an vital check for the workforce as a result of Ghana supplied higher opposition for the U.S. than it’s going to face till, maybe, the ultimate.
After a second viewing, the U.S. efficiency seems even higher than it did in actual time. For a workforce with many gamers new to the worldwide stage, Bruce Area’s squad performed with starvation and was all the time trying to make harmful performs. Backside line: The Yanks have been enjoyable to observe.
There was plenty of speak amongst followers and the media about whether or not or not this explicit roster is an A-team, B-team, or C-team. That line of pondering is a mistake. This isn’t a later-era Jurgen Klinsmann January Camp the place newcomers had minimal likelihood to show themselves and make a case. This Gold Cup is a legit audition. It will hardly be stunning to see a number of gamers use this match to leapfrog over others who many contemplate to be on the so-called A-team.
So whereas Saturday’s recreation was only a pleasant, it additionally was the very best studying expertise the workforce may need most of this month. Listed here are the takeaways.
McCarty deserves longer look
After one viewing, Dax McCarty regarded like he had a really sturdy recreation. Upon re-assessment, he was even higher—simply the very best efficiency for both workforce. His passing was at very excessive degree as he linked greater than 95% of his makes an attempt. However what’s much more spectacular is simply how aggressive he was as he was all the time trying to play the ball ahead and into harmful positions.
Dax McCarty accomplished 95.4% of his passes (62-65), highest charge by #USMNT outfield starter in a recreation since Brooks & Orozco vs BOL final Could.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) July 1, 2017
So what does the sort of efficiency imply? McCarty, 30, will virtually definitely play a key function within the Gold Cup however he additionally has an enormous opening shifting ahead. So lots of the central midfielders at the moment within the nationwide workforce image are box-to-box by commerce: Michael Bradley, Kellyn Acosta, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Lletget, Jermaine Jones, and so forth. There will not be many gamers snug within the No. 6 function.
McCarty is definitely among the finest passers in all the pool, he has good imaginative and prescient, and he can do the defensive soiled work to assist defend the backline. It was an oversight by Jurgen Klinsmann to not give McCarty an opportunity in his prime.
The Chicago Hearth man has his limitations. He would possibly wrestle in a really bodily recreation and his velocity isn’t nice. However in the proper atmosphere he can proved very precious attempting to play the ball ahead and assist with possession.
Dwyer’s motion created possibilities
Dom Dwyer, 26, made a powerful first assertion within the Ghana match, scoring the opening objective and enjoying together with his trademark aggression. It’s true that Dwyer was in place to attain two and even three objectives and doubtless ought to have had extra however he had debut.
On second viewing, Dwyer’s off-the-ball motion stood out. His ending may need let him down but when he continues to make these kinds of runs, quite a few alternatives will observe. When his teammates proceed to be taught extra about him and the runs he makes, it’s going to solely get higher.
Dwyer has been a constant performer with Sporting Kansas Metropolis for 4 years. His ending will probably be fantastic. There’s a excellent likelihood that Dwyer might be part of Bobby Wooden, Jozy Altidore, and Clint Dempsey among the many high 4 forwards.
Rowe’s decisive passing opened the sport
The New England Revolution are robust to observe however Kelyn Rowe has constantly produced for his membership and, like Dwyer, stood out on Saturday in his United States nationwide workforce debut. Within the first half, he despatched just a few decisive passes that almost arrange Dwyer after which within the 57th minute he drew the damaging free kick that led to Kellyn Acosta’s objective.
It has been some time for the reason that U.S. workforce had gamers that have been so naturally snug out large. A lot of the wingers used there over the previous six years have been enjoying out of place—Alejandro Bedoya, Darlington Nagbe, Danny Williams, DeAndre Yedlin, Sacha Kljestan, and so forth.
Area appears to be addressing this downside rapidly. Arriola has had his ups and downs however he’s a pure winger. Rowe can play centrally or at both fullback place, however his finest place is out large.
Rowe has a protracted option to go earlier than he’s penciled in as a starter in an enormous recreation, however there isn’t a purpose why he ca’tn battle for a roster spot if he continues to play properly. The truth that he was continually attempting to interrupt the sport open and didn’t look in awe of the second was a welcome sight.
Villafana struggled with physicality
One of many extra disappointing takeaways from the sport was Jorge Villafana’s defensive effort. Villafana made strides within the attacke and he confirmed plenty of ability making a pleasant transfer within the field on Dwyer’s opening objective.
However Villafana additionally struggled with the physicality of the sport towards Ghana. He gave up a penalty and that led on to Ghana’s free-kick objective. It must be a priority for Area, who possible wasn’t thrilled together with his left again choices to begin the cycle and hoped Villafana might present some type of stability.
It will be unwise to write down off Villafana based mostly on Saturday’s recreation however Area would possibly proceed to look and discover the pool at that place. Eric Lichaj is in camp and might be an possibility at that spot.
Hedges enters the combo
If the World Cup began tomorrow, John Brooks and Geoff Cameron would possible be the US’ beginning central defenders. Past that, the depth chart appears to be a thriller—or not less than Area has provided no clues as to the pecking order.
Tim Ream, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Walker Zimmerman have all featured and it seems as if Steve Birnbaum is fading.
On Saturday, Matt Hedges made his first begin for the nationwide workforce and slot in properly. He broke up a number of performs and his distribution out of the again was spectacular. It is going to be robust for him to crack the highest 4 however it’s inside attain. Assuming Area likes to go along with left footers on the left aspect of central protection and proper footers on the proper aspect, then you will have a battle between Brooks, Besler, and Ream on the left aspect. That would depart Cameron, Gonzalez, Hedges and Zimmerman on the proper aspect. If Hedges can go Gonzalez, then he would possibly discover himself on the airplane to Russia.
This Gold Cup will unveil some clues as they’re each on the roster. Nonetheless, Gonzalez in all probability has the sting in the mean time after a pleasant outing at Estadio Azteca final month. That mentioned, issues can change rapidly—they usually usually do.
What do you consider Brian’s second-viewing take of the U.S.-Ghana match? Agree or disagree together with his insights? Share your ideas under.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-02-08 19:05:34
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
