The US turned in its most full efficiency of World Cup qualifying on Thursday in a 2-0 win over Jamaica in Austin. The Ricardo Pepi prepare continued to roll on scoring each objectives, however the FC Dallas teenager was removed from the one constructive on this recreation. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta watched the sport twice and listed here are his ideas.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 08, 2021
10:00 AM
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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM put forth its most full 90 minutes performances to date in World Cup qualifying following a 2-0 win over Jamaica, a scoreline that flattered the company who have been fortunate to not obtain two pink playing cards. Ricardo Pepi was as soon as once more the highest story and the FC Dallas teenager scored two objectives in his dwelling state to place the U.S. crew in a stable place within the Octagonal.
Head coach Gregg Berhlater’s beginning lineup had few surprises – though understanding that he has to arrange for squad rotation. The entrance line had Brenden Aaronson and Paul Arriola on the wings with Pepi within the center. The midfield trio was Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah. The backline had Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson with Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman within the center. Matt Turner obtained the nod in aim.
The U.S. crew began off the sport effectively. Arriola was significantly efficient in bringing vitality to the sport within the first half. The DC United winger drew a foul 20 seconds in that might have been a pink card. Later within the half he despatched Brenden Aaronson in alone on aim – which drew one other foul that was controversially solely known as a yellow.
Jamaica’s method mirrored the way in which Canada performed successfully final month in a 1-1 attract September. Theodore Whitmore had his aspect attempt to sit again in an organized protection after which use their athleticism to hit the U.S. crew on the counterattack
Whereas the rating was 0-0 on the half, the U.S. was enjoying fairly effectively however was solely missing a harmful ultimate ball or a stable supply on a free kick. Matt Turner was compelled into making one excellent diving save – however in any other case was largely simply one other U.S. participant to distribute the ball ahead.
Within the second half, the U.S. crew took its degree to a different gear and Jamaica broke down. Within the forty ninth minute, the U.S. crew lastly pulled forward when Yunus Musah carried the ball deep into the attacking half and performed it extensive to Dest. Dest was extensive open and had lots of time to select an ideal move – which he did proper onto the pinnacle of Pepi. The El Paso native headed it dwelling with ease.
make him the everlasting starter, gregg pic.twitter.com/0o1O3jDAhh
— FC Dallas (PEPI SCORIN’) (@FCDallas) October 8, 2021
Within the 62nd minute, the U.S. crew scored its second to place the sport out of attain. Antonee Robinson performed Brenden Aaronson right into a harmful place up the left aspect. The Salzburg attacker despatched a low cross which Pepi despatched previous a diving Andre Blake for a 2-0 lead.
Only a child from El Paso.pic.twitter.com/HSxhvN1B6X
— FC Dallas (PEPI SCORIN’) (@FCDallas) October 8, 2021
“The intention all game was to be vertical, to play behind them. You saw it from the opening whistle,” Berhalter stated. “To have two plays like that where they got yellows in the first 20 minutes shows we were trying to execute what we talked about. It’s also about the intensity we played.”
From there, the U.S. crew was simply capable of see out the win.
Listed here are some ideas on the U.S. crew’s win.
Pepi’s inventory soars
Ricardo Pepi was the large story from this recreation along with his two objectives. The hype that he generated after his efficiency within the win over Honduras was at a really excessive degree. This recreation simply threw it excessive.
However it’s deserved. The FC Dallas ahead has had an important season along with his membership. He has 13 objectives on a crew that in any other case struggles offensively. He has proven lots of robust instincts to be in the appropriate place on the proper time, to make the proper runs, and skim the sport effectively. His ending has been excellent – and with quite a lot of types whether or not or not it’s his head or ft.
“He has this instinct, and it’s really hard to teach that to players. He has an instinct to score.” -Gregg Berhalter
ICYMI: Ricardo Pepi stole the present by scoring each objectives within the US’s 2-0 win over Jamaica final evening. #DTID https://t.co/x9m3kxGDcM
— Garrett Melcer (@GarrettMelcer) October 8, 2021
This comes at a good time for the U.S. crew when questions encompass the type of Josh Sargent in addition to the match Jordan Pefok and Daryl Dike are with the system.
After all, there will probably be questions forward. Pepi hasn’t fought by means of a troublesome spell with the U.S. crew and poor type and slumps are issues all strikers must battle by means of. Some are higher at it than others. These are questions for one more day, nonetheless.
“We’re all excited,” Berhalter stated of Pepi. “For us, we’re just sitting there on the train. We’re just observing everything that is happening. It’s amazing. An 18-year-old gets an opportunity and takes advantage of it. What you see and what I really like is that he has instinct and you can’t really teach that. He has an instinct for scoring.”
Adams – Musah – McKennie trio
The midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, and Weston McKennie was given a giant alternative. For probably the most half, it labored fairly effectively. The trio didn’t dominate Jamaica out of the gate, but it surely was extra of a gradual and deliberate course of.
Tyler Adams was very robust in his sometimes dependable defensive midfield place. He coated lots of floor, broke up performs, and made issues laborious on Jamaica to maneuver by means of the center.
All eyes have been on Weston McKennie on this recreation following the September window and one of many considerations was that he would attempt to do an excessive amount of. All eyes have been on him, he’s naturally seeking to set a brand new narrative for his profession, he’s enjoying in his dwelling state, and this can be a huge recreation to try this. Mckennie didn’t have an incredible affect within the recreation, however he was stable. He didn’t make any errors, was dependable, and he helped to set a tone. As Berhalter stated – this was a “professional” efficiency.
“When I think about Weston’s performance, it’s not easy to come into these games, and he knew a lot of eyes were going to be on him,” Berhalter stated. “The way I would characterize his performance was ‘professional.’ I think he did a really professional job. It’s not the top level he can produce, but it was up there. I think he had an excellent performance.”
This brings us to Yunus Musah who performed in his first aggressive recreation for the U.S. nationwide crew. Individuals will bear in mind this as a really constructive efficiency – which it was. However Musah didn’t have a lot of an affect within the first half. He helped flow into the ball and hold possession, however he did little to push the ball into the assault. Within the second half, he was utterly totally different. His direct play created the primary aim and he helped push Jamaica’s protection even additional again.
“I liked everything,” Berhalter stated of Musah. “I thought he had an excellent game. We talked about his quality of driving at the defense, unsettling the defense. He did that constantly.”
It’s powerful for Musah to come back into the nationwide crew and assume this position as a result of he doesn’t play it for his membership. At Valencia he doesn’t have the belief but to play his most well-liked central place, however on the U.S. crew, he does. Nonetheless, there’s an adjustment interval and you possibly can see him develop into the match with a a lot, significantly better second half.
Duel successful
Berhalter likes to make a giant emphasis on successful duels and he’s absolutely proud of what he noticed from this recreation.
There have been 92 duels on this recreation and the U.S. crew gained 63 and the Jamaica gained simply 29.
The three largest standouts have been Walker Zimmerman who gained 12/13 duels, Tyler Adams who gained 12/14 duels, and Sergino Dest who gained 9/12 duels.
That is what Berhalter has confused as a result of it’s about effort and it leads to extra possession, extra alternatives, and extra performs in transition. This performed an essential position for the U.S. crew conserving Jamaica’s alternatives to a minimal.
Aaronson’s USMNT rise
Previous to camp, there have been questions over who was going to be the dominant performer. Brenden Aaronson appeared like a logical choose has he has been enjoying so effectively for each membership and nation. On this recreation he answered that he may ship.
Brenden Aaronson: 5 objectives, 4 assists in 11 video games for the #USMNT
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 8, 2021
Within the first half he was the U.S. crew’s greatest participant. He most likely needs his ultimate ball was a bit higher, however he was a handful for Jamaica to defend. Then within the second half, his play on the second aim was all class.
Aaronson is an instrumental participant who can play the #10 or out on the wing. His wing play is definitely very new for him however he has responded effectively.
It’s straightforward to see that when everyone seems to be wholesome, Aaronson proceed to begin with Pulisic on one wing and Aaronson and Reyna interchangeable on the different wing or the #10. However Aaronson’s position is clearly rising inside this crew.
Backline pushed up
Even whereas the U.S. crew failed to attain within the first half, it was nonetheless a greater half than the three scoreless first halves in September. It at all times felt prefer it was solely a matter of time earlier than Jamaica broke down. The massive motive for that is that the fullbacks have been far simpler getting ahead. The wingers have been subsequently capable of reduce into the center of the sector extra typically, and there have been extra scoring shops.
The again 4 actually labored tonight. Miles Robinson was a bit little bit of a step down in contrast with the place he was in September and over the summer time however that was only one recreation. Walker Zimmerman, in the meantime, had an important efficiency. He was regular defensively and his passing out of the again allowed the fullbacks and midfielders to maneuver additional up.
However the backline’s superior positioning clearly had a huge impact in breaking down Jamaica over 90 minutes.
Waiting for Panama
There are lots of questions heading into the second recreation in Panama. It appears unlikely that Antonee Robinson will play on this recreation given that he’s based mostly within the U.Okay and Panama is a “red list” nation that drive a quarantine. Robinson performed a full 90 in opposition to Jamaica most likely gained’t make the journey.
That may current fullback questions. DeAndre Yedlin appears sure to begin this one at proper again and that can imply both Dest or George Bello get the beginning on the left.
The midfield may also seemingly be modified up based mostly on the Jamaica recreation. Tyler Adams is the one midfield participant seemingly to have the ability to begin all three of the video games this window. Kellyn Acosta looks as if a possible candidate to begin rather than Weston Mckennie. Musah appears more likely to even be rotated out. That would drive Aaronson into the midfield or it may open the door for another person – seemingly Sebastian Lletget. An alternative choice, nonetheless, could possibly be Gianluca Busio who Berhalter has singled out as having been spectacular.
The entrance line can be ripe for adjustments. Paul Arriola expended a ton of vitality in opposition to Jamaica and Tim Weah is an apparent candidate to fill that void after an excellent efficiency off the bench.
Most of the questions will probably be answered in how the gamers really feel on Friday, after the sport. Pepi will most likely begin one other recreation this window, however will or not it’s in Panama (which permits Zardes to begin in his dwelling stadium in Columbus on Wednesday) or will Pepi get a relaxation? How will Aaronson reply after a busy recreation in opposition to Jamaica.
Berhalter after this recreation made some extent that Pepi has logged lots of minutes and this might result in him being a sub choice in opposition to Panama.
“He’s a player when we put up the minutes of the past week, he’s a guy that was dragging,” Berhalter stated of Pepi. “He played 90, 90, 90, and then he comes in here and plays [68]. We knew it was going to take a lot of mental courage for him to step up and play with that relentlessness that we need – and he did it.”
Central protection could possibly be any of the 4 gamers. Berhalter will wish to take a look at Chris Richards sooner or later however Zimmerman most likely earned some belief in opposition to Jamaica whereas Robinson wasn’t nice, however didn’t have a poor efficiency that will necessitate being benched.
Participant Rankings
The Beginning Lineup
Matt Turner: The New Jersey native made one huge save within the forty first minute in opposition to Jamal Lowe. His distribution was improved from earlier outings: Ranking: 6.5
Antonee Robinson: Struggled within the first half however got here to gentle within the second half the place his tempo grew to become an issue for Jamaica. His move sprung Aaronson down the left aspect for the second aim: Ranking: 7.0
Miles Robinson: After a stellar September window, this was a little bit of a step down for Robinson as he made a number of errors. Nonetheless, nothing that was too pricey: Ranking: 6.0
Walker Zimmerman: An excellent outing from Zimmerman who defended and handed effectively. He gave his teammates confidence to play in very superior place manner up the sector. Zimmerman gained 12/13 duels, was 10/10 in aerials and a couple of/2 in tackles. He did lots of work to utterly neutralize Jamaica’s assault: Ranking: 7.5
Sergino Dest: The Barcelona fullback did the whole lot. His dribbling and motion grew to become an excessive amount of for Jamaica. The U.S. crew needed width they usually obtained it with Dest main the way in which. His numbers have been excellent: 5/6 dribbling, 39/42 passing, 3/3 lengthy balls, 9/12 duels gained, 2 key passes, 1 help. That help modified the sport: Ranking: 8.0
Tyler Adams: The Leipzig mainstay had a great recreation. He defended effectively, gained 12/14 duels. He hardly ever made any errors with the ball and his passing was key to conserving possession. Jamaica supplied nothing by means of the center of the sector: Ranking: 7.5
Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder didn’t dominate however he did lots of the soiled work to creating this a cushty evening for the U.S. crew. His passing vary with 5/6 lengthy balls was additionally very useful. On this evening, he was greater than sufficient for what was wanted: Ranking: 6.5
Yunus Musah: The Valencia midfielder was quiet within the first half and didn’t push the ball into the assault successfully. Within the second half, he utterly raised his recreation in that division and helped to ship the opening aim when he fed Dest who then assisted to Pepi: Ranking: 7.0
Brenden Aaronson: A little bit bit wasteful within the first half however nonetheless was most likely the crew’s most harmful participant throughout his 77 minutes on the sector. His help to Pepi was all class and he ought to have drawn a pink card within the first half when he obtained behind the protection on the sting of the field: Ranking: 8.0
Paul Arriola: The DC United winger introduced a ton of vitality to the sport and put the U.S. on the entrance foot early. He ought to have drawn a pink card getting behind the protection 20 second in, then he performed Aaronson behind the backline to arrange one other huge probability that ought to have had drawn a Jamaican pink. His ultimate product wasn’t at all times there however he was pest for Jamaica to play in opposition to, he pressed effectively, and was total a giant internet constructive: Ranking: 7.5
That is wonderful maintain up play from Pepi to search out the through-ball. #DTID
(And positively a pink card too.) pic.twitter.com/DvJwa4x22P
— Garrett Melcer (@GarrettMelcer) October 7, 2021
Ricardo Pepi: After a quiet first half (the place he nonetheless had the move to spring Arriola behind the Jamaican protection 20 second in), Pepi wasn’t flustered or pissed off. He remained affected person and knew his alternatives to come back – which they did. Pepi was medical along with his ending on each probabilities and he doesn’t want many alternatives to make a giant distinction. He had simply 20 touches and three pictures – however was the distinction maker for the decisive output: Ranking: 8.5
The Substitutes
Gyasi Zardes: The Crew ahead missed a number of probabilities, obtained into good positions, however the recreation had a distinct tone when he got here on within the 68th minute: Ranking: 5.0
Tim Weah: The Lille attacker seemed actually sharp after approaching and he was very efficient along with his dribble and passing: Ranking: 7.0
Luca de la Torre: Was a pleasant 10/10 passing in his 13 minutes on the sector in opposition to an opponent which was already demoralized: Ranking: 6.0
Shaq Moore: Some good touches after coming into the sport for the ultimate 13 minutes: Ranking: 6.0
Kellyn Acosta: Helped see out the ultimate seven minutes of a cushty win: Ranking: N/R
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Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2024-12-29 22:48:37
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