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Whereas it is exhausting to get too excited a couple of pleasant with Canada, the U.S. males’s nationwide group is prone to face a bunkering protection—the identical kind of opposition it can see in upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
February 04, 2016
6:45 PM
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AFTER AN ENTERTAINING 3-2 win over Iceland on Sunday, the US males’s nationwide group will host Canada on Friday evening (10:15pm ET, FS1) to conclude its annual January camp.
For quite a lot of gamers, a strong efficiency towards Canada may imply securing an inside monitor for a spot on the Copa America roster this summer time. So sure, this video games imply one thing greater than yet one more pleasant towards the US’ northern neighbors.|
5 key gamers to look at
Steve Birnbaum: With a objective and an help in 45 minutes towards Iceland, Birnbaum gave one of many higher performances final weekend. The D.C. United central defender carried out effectively at January camp in 2015 however failed to interrupt by way of, and the competitors at his place is now much more intense: John Brooks, Matt Besler, Matt Miazga, Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron, Ventura Alvarado, and Michael Orozco are all vying for minutes. A superb exhibiting towards Canada shall be essential for him.
Kellyn Acosta: It was considerably puzzling to see Acosta, usually a midfielder, get the beginning Sunday at left again, particularly contemplating his struggles at that spot on the U-20 World Cup final summer time. However Acosta acquitted himself effectively towards Iceland, and he may change over to proper again towards Canada. Klinsmann loves versatility and has praised Acosta in current weeks, which may imply we are going to see extra of him Friday.
Lee Nguyen: The New England Revolution midfielder began out in a wider function towards Iceland however was very efficient when he tucked in centrally. The People are loaded with central midfielders however there’s a dearth of midfielders able to taking part in behind the forwards—a job Nguyen matches finest. If he is ready to create towards Canada, Klinsmann would possibly lastly discover room for him in 2016.
Tony Tchani: The Cameroon-born Tchani gave the U.S. some grit within the center within the second half towards Iceland, a welcome signal. Klinsmann has all the time had a strong number of defensive midfielders to select from, however lots of them at the moment are on the far aspect of 30. Tchani, in his prime, ought to get one other likelihood right here to state his case.
Darlington Nagbe: Nagbe’s prone to be a part of the group transferring ahead after his inclusion within the November World Cup qualifiers. However Klinsmann is having the identical issues most managers have with Nagbe: discovering the place that fits him finest. May Friday present a clue?
Bunker-busting
Canada goes to be helpful observe for the US, which might anticipate the identical defensive-minded gameplan that upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers are prone to function.
There’s no method round it: Video games shall be ugly. It’s going to take a second or two of terrific particular person high quality to earn the three factors in CONCACAF qualifying, notably on the highway. Consider Alan Gordon’s stoppage-time cross to Eddie Johnson in 2012 for a win over Antigua and Barbuda, or Clint Dempsey’s help to Jozy Altidore in a 1-0 win over Honduras in 2013—nice particular person performs typically make the distinction on this area. Perhaps Friday will give an attacker or two an opportunity to shine in crunch time.
Wing play and goal-scoring
Ethan Finlay was ineffective towards Iceland, an unlucky improvement given the group’s want for gamers out extensive. Gyasi Zardes had a really good contact on the build-up to Altidore’s objective however was inconsistent. The lone vibrant spot out extensive got here within the type of Jerome Kiesewetter, who was robust off the bench regardless of not often taking part in for Stuttgart’s U-23 group as of late.
One other query is whether or not anybody else will emerge as a menace up high; Altidore, it appears, begins there no matter type as a result of he’s the one efficient choice. Jordan Morris was a late arrival in camp due to his Werder Bremen trial, however after every week of coaching, will he get an opportunity at an prolonged function?
Two of the targets towards Iceland got here from defenders. The US’ attackers must—on the very least—match that output.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-02-24 20:47:44
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