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ASN contributing Brian Sciaretta watched the U.S. – Martinique match a second time so that you would not need to undergo by one other 90 minutes. Listed here are 5 takeaways from his second-day expertise.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
July 13, 2017
8:00 AM
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WHILE IT’S TRUE that the U.S. nationwide crew defeated Martinique on Wednesday evening, neither Bruce Area nor his gamers must be significantly pleased with the efficiency. For the second straight sport on the Gold Cup, the Individuals took a lead however didn’t take its opponent out of the sport.
Upon second viewing of the competition, there are many causes for concern, each tactically and defensively. The central protection pairing of Matt Hedges and Omar Gonzalez lacked chemistry, set items had been disappointing and what ought to have been a simple win proved to be a tense wrestle for 90 minutes.
Listed here are a number of the points that jumped out at me as I re-watched the morning after.
The Acosta-Bedoya substitution
Till he was taken off within the 62nd minute, Kellyn Acosta was having a fairly good sport. The united statesproblems at that time had been tied to its incapacity to complete its golden possibilities. Exterior of a shot off the submit within the first half, Martinique had nothing occurring. The gamers had been typically in good place to complete possibilities however could not fill the web.
Acosta was main the way in which in touches and was typically a helpful defend between the midfield and the backline. When Alejandro Bedoya changed Acosta, nonetheless, it had brutal defensive penalties for the U.S.
Bedoya made a pleasant play two minutes after coming into the sport when he was a part of the build-up to the second purpose. However Bedoya was taking part in in a extra superior place than Acosta and that created a giant hole between the midfield and the backline. Not solely did Martinique rating each of its targets after Acosta left the sport, it additionally had its foot on the gasoline pedal for stretches.
Discover that when Dax McCarty entered the sport within the 86th minute, issues improved fairly shortly for the Individuals. Martinique tried to assault up the center however discovered it a lot more durable with McCarty filling that hole.
The central defenders weren’t good on the evening however an absence of readability within the central midfield actually damage the crew extra.
Gyasi Zardes is perplexing
Gyasi Zardes has his limitations as a soccer participant. His contact, choice making, and ending could be missing at occasions. However he does have appreciable strengths. His motion is usually fairly good and he can discover methods to get himself into harmful positions—both by way of his bodily power or making good runs. His limitations are often irritating to followers as a result of he’s usually not invisible in video games. He will get concerned however then typically that ultimate piece is lacking.
Then, typically, all of it works for him. He had some optimistic moments on the Copa America final 12 months and he had blended, however general optimistic influence on the sport yesterday.
Martinique is just not a very good crew however Zardes did very nicely to pick Morris on the successful purpose.
This sport featured all facets of Zardes—the nice, the unhealthy, and every thing in between.
Eric Lichaj helped his case
DeAndre Yedlin is the beginning proper again for the nationwide crew—that a lot is obvious. Final evening, although, Eric Lichaj made a stable case that he must be the crew’s backup. He moved into house very nicely and was snug getting ahead. His help on the second purpose was a vital particular person effort.
The Chicago native was quick tracked into the nationwide crew within the final 12 months of Bob Bradley’s tenure however Jurgen Klinsmann’s choice to nearly blacklist him was questionable given the shortage of choices at proper again after Steve Cherundolo’s retirement. Lichaj is a proficient participant and whereas he is probably not a World Cup starter, he could be a backup for each the best and left fullback positions.
Lack of a killer intuition
“We’re certainly guilty of making the game a lot more difficult on us than it needed to be,” Area lamented after the sport.
The U.S. crew wanted much more urgency within the first half. It had a number of good alternatives—Morris lacking an early header and Paul Arriola following go well with proper earlier than the break—however couldn’t capitalize.
By way of stopping upsets, the Yanks, when favored, must do extra to take opponents out of video games early. In these final two video games, the U.S. allowed the sport to go scoreless into the break. Then, when it took a lead within the second half, the U.S. allowed opponents to equalize.
The crew is making it laborious on themselves and is shortly studying the distinction between friendlies and aggressive video games with motivated opponents. This event will proceed to be a check of mentali power. Youthful and/or newer nationwide crew gamers want to acknowledge that the stakes are greater, and the competitors extra fierce, on the worldwide stage.
Gonzalez mentioned it greatest afterward: “Shifting ahead, we have to be smarter and extra centered all through the complete sport, and be more durable to play towards.”
Sure certainly.
Morris vs. Dwyer in ahead depth chart
Jordan Morris earned man of the match honors final evening and he regarded respectable coming off the bench towards Ghana and Panama. On the successful purpose he not solely made the end however he additionally made the primary move of the build-up.
A assured Morris is a precious asset. He’s the quickest ahead within the combine, and in an open sport he could make good runs and create possibilities.
Dom Dwyer impressed in his first two begins for the Stars and Stripes, scoring two targets and making a transparent argument that he belongs. But when Area takes 4 forwards to Russia, he must make some powerful selections. The pool appears to be like one thing like this proper now:
1. Bobby Wood2. Jozy Altidore3. Clint Dempsey4. Dom Dwyer5. Jordan Morris6. Juan Agudelo
If wholesome, that units up a battle between Morris and Dwyer for the ultimate spot. Morris’ pace would possibly give him the sting as a result of he can deliver one thing totally different to the desk. That mentioned, the highest three names on this record have a whole lot of time coping with accidents and well being scares, so the battle for a seat on the airplane to the 2018 World Cup is broad open.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-02-08 11:56:07
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