The US nationwide group completed the November window with 4 factors from two video games. The gamers had been maybe a bit dissatisfied however the group continues to be on a heallthy tempo to qualify. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the sport along with his thougths, evaluation, and participant rankings after a second viewing
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Brian Sciaretta
Posted
November 17, 2021
4:50 AM
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THE UNITED STATES DREW Jamaica 1-1 to finish its November window and switch the web page heading into the ultimate two World Cup qualifying home windows in January and March. The sport wasn’t fairly and the U.S. group may have carried out higher, however drawing on the street nonetheless retains Gregg Berhalter’s group on tempo to qualify.
The beginning XI was hardly as shock. 9 of the gamers remained from the lineup that defeated Mexico whereas Chris Richards changed the suspended Miles Robinson and Gianluca Busio changed the suspended Weston Mckennie.
In the meantime, Jamaica had its finest beginning XI that includes Leon Bailey and Michail Antonio. Taking part in in Kingston, the U.S. group was matched up in opposition to the perfect Jamaica needed to provide.
The U.S. group began sturdy with Tim Weah scoring within the eleventh minute. On the play, Weah obtained the ball within the midfield, performed it to Ricardo Pepi. Together with his first contact, Pepi obtained the ball again to Weah who moved into the field, obtained round Bobby Decordova-Reid, after which beat Andre Blake for a 1-0 benefit.
Unreal strikes from Tim Weah to smoke Bobby Decordova-Reid. Ricardo Pepi with the help! #USMNTpic.twitter.com/rPPP0dsy6l
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 16, 2021
The lead lasted simply 11 minutes as Antonio obtained the ball within the midfield, took benefit of area on the left aspect of the midfield, and unleashed a 34-yard blast that beat Zack Steffen.
The U.S. group managed the rest of the primary half however was unable to capitalize.
The second half grew to become very bodily. The U.S. nonetheless held the possession edge however Jamaica had two harmful possibilities, as soon as when Antonee Robinson was misplaced on a cross and Decordova-Reid despatched a shot over the bar. Then in the direction of the top, Jamaica had a aim referred to as again when Damion Lowe was judged to have fouled Walker Zimmerman earlier than his header.
The ultimate whistle sounded with each groups dissatisfied. The U.S. group did not make the most of an enormous alternative whereas Jamaica’s place within the desk is in horrible form because it sits seven factors again of qualification.
Listed here are some ideas on the U.S. efficiency.
Last third/set items missing
Poor area circumstances apart, the U.S. group managed the run of play. Take into account this, the U.S. was 326/428 in passing whereas Jamaica was simply 171/269. The U.S. accomplished 155 extra passes than Jamaica, practically twice as many. The U.S. group additionally had an enormous edge in accomplished passes within the assault half: The U.S. group accomplished 154 passes within the attacking half whereas Jamaica had simply 92
That stress didn’t yield practically sufficient possibilities. Heading into 2022, the ultimate ball must be there.
Additionally, crossing was very ineffective. The U.S. group was credited within the stats as sending in 20 crosses. Solely twice had been these crosses correct.
Set items are the most important weak point of the U.S. group up to now this complete World Cup qualifying marketing campaign. It’s shocking as a result of the group was efficient at this in Nations League and on the Gold Cup. In qualifying, there was no end-product. Final night time, the U.S. group had Pulisic, Busio, and Aaronson taking the kicks with none success.
The bodily sport
With out Weston McKennie, Gregg Berhalter elected to start out two youngsters in a three-man midfield in Yunus Musah and Gianluca Busio. Whereas gifted, Jamaica was in a position to neutralize their expertise with a variety of fouls and forcing the U.S. group into making an attempt to win second balls versus having alternatives to dribble.
The midfield construction broke down loads. Tyler Adams sometimes likes to get on the ball 80-100 occasions a sport. When he does that, the remainder of the group performs higher and the opposite midfielders are in a position to assault extra. In opposition to Jamaica, Adams had simply 55 touches and was not in a position to have the affect within the sport he sometimes does.
Adams had the most important drop off however then that led to the opposite midfielders seeing a drop off. Busio had simply 66 touches over 90 minutes. Musah had 46 touches over 66 minutes and his alternative, Kellyn Acosta had simply 12 over his 24 minutes.
When the U.S. midfielders are usually not on the ball however the U.S. group is controlling possession, that both implies that the defenders contact the ball loads, the ball was concerned within the entrance three, or the ball is pressured out to the wings loads. Neither Aaronson, Weah, or Pepi had 30 touches, so Jamaica’s stress was designed to not permit the U.S. group to have a straightforward time in the midst of the sector.
Jamaica completed with 15 cross interceptions whereas the U.S. group had simply 4. Sure, the U.S. group ought to have extra since that they had extra makes an attempt, however Jamaica was in a position to telegraphy nicely what the U.S. group was making an attempt to do.
The bodily sport actually harm the U.S. group’s midfield. If Weston McKennie performed, he may have gained extra bodily battles and helped the group go up the center.
The wingers and fullbacks couldn’t threaten sufficient from broad positions to open the sport up.
Trying forward
The U.S. group has a positive window in January however a brutal window in February. Is the U.S. group going to rotate lineups or attempt to preserve the identical XI in-tact? Successful the 2 video games at residence is totally essential to the group’s possibilities and El Salvador and Honduras are good alternatives the place the group must be closely favored.
Set items, higher crossing, and profitable the bodily video games are key. One factor 2021 has taught is that solely not often are groups ever going to be utterly wholesome. Gio Reyna and Sergino Dest must be again from their present accidents (and Pulisic must be match) however will there be extra accidents?
The U.S. group has carried out nicely this qualifying marketing campaign contemplating that it’s sending out beginning XI’s with common ages typically beneath 23 and not one of the gamers having been via qualifying earlier than. It’s studying on the fly.
Participant Rankings
The beginning lineup
Zack Steffen: The Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper allowed a shot from 34-yards and whereas it was an excellent shot, Steffen’s positioning may have been higher. He wasn’t pressured into any huge saves and made a couple of errors within the second half along with his distribution and decision-making to go away his line. He did make a couple of good clearances off crosses and set items. Score: 5.0
Antonee Robinson: The Fulham-based left again had a troublesome sport and was fortunate Decordova-Reid didn’t rating after he obtained previous Robinson. His passing simply wasn’t there. Score: 4.5
Chris Richards: The Hoffenheim central defender did nicely to cowl for Antonee Robinson, who was sometimes pushed deeply into the assault. He had a couple of suspect moments however usually acquitted himself nicely. Score: 6.5
Walker Zimmerman: Whereas a few of his long-balls weren’t correct, Zimmerman’s aerial skill was vital to group’s protection as he gained 7/10 duels and 6/8 aerials, and had 4 clearances. Jamaica was sending balls into the field and Zimmerman usually did nicely to defend them. Score: 7.0
DeAndre Yedlin: Whereas his crossing was additionally missing, Yedlin was stable defensively and made no main errors. Score: 5.5
Tyler Adams: It was a troublesome project for Adams who way more defensively inclined than the opposite midfielders. He broke up gamers however didn’t get on the ball practically sufficient. When he did, he did nicely and had a pleasant vary of passing. Score: 6.5
Gianluca Busio: His first World Cup qualifying begin, Busio had a pleasant shot from distance and was on the ball greater than all the different midfielders. He arrange two possibilities and his passing vary was sharp. Score: 7.0
Yunus Musah: It was a robust begin to the sport for Musah however he pale a bit (and it was later revealed he had strep throad). He’s a menace off the dribble however had some robust turnovers too. Score: 6.0
Brenden Aaronson: The Salzburg attacker was good within the press to restrict Jamaica’s possession. His ultimate ball wasn’t there however he was aggressive each time he was is possession. Score: 6.0
Tim Weah: The Lille attacker had a unbelievable aim when he blew via the Jamaican protection. He drained however is robust begin to the sport gave the U.S. group and edge and the lead. Score: 7.5
Ricardo Pepi: The FC Dallas ahead have to get the ball extra for pictures – he had simply two pictures which had been each blocked. He labored nicely with Weah on the aim for the help. Score: 6.0
The substitutes
Kellyn Acosta: The Colorado midfielder added some chunk to the midfield late. Score: 6.0
Christian Pulisic: Pulisic got here off the bench and battled onerous, drew a bunch of fouls. His set piece supply didn’t enhance the U.S. group’s struggles however Pulisic helped to maintain Jamaica on their again foot. Score: 6.5
Paul Arriola: The DC United winger solely had 4 touches however gained a nook late. Score: NR
Jesus Ferreira: The FC Dallas attacker solely had two touches however certainly one of them was a harmful ball into the ultimate third. Score: NR
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Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2024-12-28 23:23:16
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