Gregg Berhalter marked his return to the touchline because the U.S. males’s nationwide staff head coach with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in St. Louis on Saturday, however the scoreline largely flattered a aspect that was lackluster for lengthy stretches of the sport.
The USMNT took the lead early when Tim Weah scored within the fourth minute however didn’t get their remaining two targets of the match till second-half stoppage time. In between these two bursts of motion, the hosts ceaselessly did not hit an attacking rhythm and had issue ending off their probabilities. The tip end result was a gradual match that meant Berhalter and his staff might mark his return with little fanfare.
That mentioned, Berhalter’s honesty was coupled with a level-headed outlook on the sport, a perspective acquainted to any chief in the beginning of a brand new problem.
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“I believe that it is a good baseline for us to begin,” the top coach mentioned following the match. “That is what worldwide competitors from different areas appears to be like like, that we use as we go.”
The match left loads of meals for thought earlier than the USMNT resumes motion on Tuesday in Saint Paul, Minnesota towards Oman. Listed below are three takeaways that must be addressed:
Appropriate attacking inconsistencies
Expectations had been excessive for the USMNT to choose up a commanding end result towards Uzbekistan, which did transpire in a couple of classes outdoors of simply targets. The staff had 64.5% possession and beat their opponents in anticipated targets 2.5 to 0.75, had practically double the variety of passes that Uzbekistan did and accomplished 89.8% of their 648 passes.
Uzbekistan, although, saved tempo in a handful of classes or outright outperformed the USMNT. The guests boasted a passing accuracy of 86.5%, a quantity that grew to 88.2% when contemplating passes within the attacking third. Uzbekistan beat the USMNT’s 84.2% within the latter class and in photographs — that they had 15 photographs to the hosts’ 13, although the USMNT had six on the right track whereas Uzbekistan solely had three.
Berhalter chalked up the USMNT’s uneven attacking efficiency to the truth that Uzbekistan performed a again 5, which his aspect had a tricky time breaking down. He additionally famous that the U.S. had been slower than they wanted to be going ahead.
“Once we had been constructing, and we had been methodical about our construct, attempting to draw the opponent, I believed we then lacked the [ability to speed] up the assault as soon as we broke by way of that entrance 5, and that would’ve been higher,” the top coach mentioned. “Again 5 is at all times tough to interrupt down and also you noticed that they simply dropped and wished to get in behind and we did not do that always sufficient after which the opposite factor I would observe is that our press after loss, defensive transition must get higher. I believe we gave them too many alternatives to get behind us once we might’ve been positioned higher to win the ball instantly after we misplaced it.”
Goalscorers Weah and Christian Pulisic, who transformed a penalty within the ninety fifth minute, had been two of the standout performers up prime with three photographs every and a capability to seek out house on the wings. Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, who every break up a half, had vivid spots however had been unable to lock down the middle ahead place as theirs on this recreation.
See what extra new faces are fabricated from
Berhalter could have the prospect to tinker together with his staff for Tuesday’s recreation, together with in aim. First-choice keeper Matt Turner returned to England after the Uzbekistan end result as he and his spouse await the arrival of their second little one, which is able to give both Ethan Horvath or Drake Callendar a shot towards Oman. The pinnacle coach may should make a change in midfield after Luca de la Torre exited the match within the thirty fifth minute with an damage, however Berhalter mentioned he is “undecided he is dominated out for subsequent recreation.” The staff is awaiting information on Sunday from the medical staff earlier than making a call.
The pinnacle coach may also decide to play a handful of newcomers that highlighted his first roster since returning to the job. Danish-American defender Kristoffer Lund made his debut towards Uzbekistan, and three extra might observe on Tuesday. Callendar is uncapped, as are Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes and Argentinian-American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi.
The matches won’t cap-tie the twin nations on the roster, however time with the nationwide staff might function a convincing argument earlier than the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November provide an opportunity for each gamers to commit their worldwide futures to the USMNT.
Reply the important thing questions round expectations
Regardless that this match was removed from Beralter’s first answerable for the USMNT, the second nonetheless got here with among the emotions that include a brand new starting. That distinction virtually makes it exhausting to determine how to guage Berhalter in his second spell. It id, undoubtedly, his job to evolve the staff and assist a younger group of gamers flip into dependable veterans as soon as the World Cup hits house soil in 2026.
A handful of questions popped up as soon as Berhalter’s return was official, mainly: What does that evolution appear like? Will the adjustments be straightforward to note or refined? How a lot can a staff change with the identical coach and related participant pool? Will that be sufficient for the USMNT to earn desired outcomes at main tournaments just like the Copa America, the place they’re anticipated to compete subsequent yr, and the World Cup?
Berhalter didn’t reply that query in his first recreation again, however a pattern dimension that small was unlikely to disclose a lot. What the win over Uzbekistan does provide is, as Berhalter instructed, a baseline, not simply as one which reveals how the USMNT stack up towards Asian competitors however what the top coach’s second tenure will be in comparison with when all is alleged and executed. Even an unflashy new starting continues to be a brand new starting, and the USMNT’s imperfect efficiency serves as a significant start line to gauge the place the staff must go — and the work Berhalter and firm have to do to get there.
