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The U.S. U-20 staff gained ugly in opposition to Qatar however nonetheless discovered a manner by way of to the knockout levels. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks it down.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Might 30, 2019
7:50 PM
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THE UNITED STATES defeated Qatar 1-0 on Thursday to seal second place in Group D of the 2019 U-20 World Cup and ebook a spot within the Spherical of 16 the place it’ll face both France or Mali on June 4.
The sport was hardly fairly and much from ultimate. In reality the U.S. staff struggled badly at occasions within the first half however progressively settled down within the second half earlier than Tm Weah delivered an awesome purpose within the 76th minute to offer the U.S. staff a lead it will not relinquish.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. TIM WEAH. ????
This nutmeg + purpose despatched the #USMNT to the Spherical of 16 within the U-20 FIFA World Cup ???????????? pic.twitter.com/Ww5i1b3iu0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) Might 30, 2019
The U.S. staff had extra probabilities within the second half and may have gained by extra. Richard Ledezma hit a shot off the cross bar, Alex Mendez had a penalty saved, and Weah had a close-range shot saved when he moved in a lone on the keeper. However the one purpose stood.
Listed below are some ideas on the win
Awkward beginning lineup
Ramos made two puzzling selections in his beginning lineup. The primary was to play central defender Mark McKenzie at proper again regardless of having two wholesome proper backs on the bench in Sergino Dest and Julian Araujo.
The second was to relaxation the sturdy Paxton Pomykal and go along with Chris Durkin and Brandon Servania in central midfield behind the extra sometimes attack-minded Alex Mendez.
Neither choice labored as Servania and Durkin weren’t in a position to advance the ball to Mendez in harmful areas. McKenzie positively didn’t look nice at proper again however the choice truly made sense as McKenzie hasn’t performed a lot this 12 months and hasn’t began a sport since his appendectomy final month.
Beginning McKenzie on this sport allowed McKenzie to realize some reps whereas not disrupting the central protection pairing that obtained the staff up to now. Consequently, McKenzie is extra ready to start out centrally within the knockout levels.
The Servania-Durkin pairing fell aside for just a few causes. For one, Aboubacar Keita had an off sport together with his distribution and that compelled the midfield to float nearer to the backline. Additionally, Alex Mendez wasn’t shifting off the ball effectively and wasn’t getting himself in good positions the place Servania and Mendez may make an efficient move to him. The strains had a troublesome time connecting with one another and much too usually, the U.S. would start its possessions deep inside its personal half.
And eventually, Servania and Durkin are extra defensive midfield-oriented gamers and beginning them collectively restricted the quantity or gamers in superior positions. If Paxton Pomykal was wanted a relaxation, that may be one factor however when Pomykal is on the sphere, the necessity for 2 defensive midfielders is redundant as Pomykal usually places in a very good defensive shift – along with his offensive attributes.
With all of the modifications within the beginning lineup and a lot at stake, the U.S. staff appeared nervous and tentative. With nothing to lose on this sport, Qatar was fearless.
Within the second half, the U.S. was merely grittier. They performed with a way of anger – which helped. It was noticeable of their physique language and mannerisms. Durkin picked up a yellow card and is suspended for the following sport however when he shoved the Qatar participant, it was reflective of a staff that had a fireplace lit below it.
During the last half-hour, Qatar’s probabilities started to dwindle and the U.S. was profitable extra balls. It must be famous that the profitable purpose was made attainable from a strong defensive play from Mendez – who just isn’t identified for his protection.
Even McKenzie grew into the sport at proper again and appeared comfy every time Qatar’s attackers tried to isolate him in a 1v1 conditions.
General, the second half was an honest half of soccer from the U.S. staff.
And one last notice on the lineup, this isn’t the primary time at a U-20 World Cup the place Tab Ramos’ staff struggled in opposition to the staff perceived to be the weakest in its group. In 2015, the U.S. staff struggled to a 2-1 win over Myanmar and in 2017, the staff performed to a lackluster 1-1 draw in opposition to Saudi Arabia. In each tournaments it will attain the quarterfinals but it surely was by no means easy.
Ochoa doubtless retains beginning spot
David Ochoa was additionally a shocking begin for Ramos as he determined to offer the younger goalkeeper an opportunity over the staff’s regular starter, Brady Scott. Ochoa delivered and made the play of the sport on a giant save from shut vary after a turnover result in a 2v1 for Qatar.
Ochoa, 18, is definitely eligible for the following U-20 cycle and it’s uncommon to have a beginning purpose keeper play up a cycle. However Ochoa was assured in commanding his field and the protection grew in confidence with him in purpose. It might hardly be shocking if Ramos elects to maintain Ochoa in purpose within the knockout stage.
Subs helped
It appeared as if Ramos was going to make his substitutions initially of the second half however he elected to attend till the hour mark earlier than making modifications.
Llanez got here into the sport within the 63rd minute and actually helped with some excellent passing from the wings. Ledezma got here into the sport within the 84th minute after the U.S. staff had the higher hand and helped the U.S. staff maintain its foot on the gasoline pedal.
However the U.S. staff badly wanted some brisker legs and crisper passing and the subs helped to supply that.
Waiting for the knockouts
The excellent news is that the U.S. staff is thru to the knockout levels and also will get 5 full days of relaxation earlier than its knockout spherical sport. So the staff will probably be rested and can have loads of time to arrange.
The dangerous information is that knockout sport will doubtless come in opposition to a really troublesome France staff. Additionally, Ramos will probably be with out Chris Durkin and Alex Mendez on account of suspension – so there must be large modifications to the midfield.
What to anticipate from that sport?
Effectively Ochoa ought to begin in purpose. Chris Golster will begin at left again, Chris Richards will take one of many beginning central protection spots. Mark Mckenzie must also be prepared to maneuver again into the center alongside Richards.
One of many first large questions will probably be proper again. Sergino Dest has been a mainstay and is nice getting ahead however Julian Araujo might be extra defensive sound – whereas additionally displaying promise getting ahead and in crossing.
The entrance three will most likely stay unchanged with Tim Weah at proper wing, Konrad de la Fuente on the left, and Sebastian Soto within the center. Whereas Uly Llanez was robust off the bench, he’s nonetheless most likely a sub on this staff provided that hasn’t performed a lot soccer in 2019.
The midfield would be the most attention-grabbing due to the absence of Durkin and Mendez. Pomykal will definitely return. However will he have two defensive midfielders behind him? Or will he have only one defensive midfielder behind him and companion with one other attacking midfielder?
If Ramos goes with two defensive midfielders behind Pomykal, will probably be Brandon Servania and Edwin Cerrillo – who’s but to play on this event.
If Ramos goes with one defensive midfielder and two attacking midfielders, Pomykal will play with Richard Ledezma within the assault. Cerrillo would doubtless be the defensive midfielder in that state of affairs as he’s extra inclined to deal with a bodily sport that France or Mali would deliver. However plenty of this comes all the way down to Ledezma’s health to start out as he solely lately returned to taking part in video games final month after lacking practically 10 months on account of an damage and a transfer to Holland.
However watching this staff from the group levels, it’s clear that the attacking midfielders of Pomykal and/or Mendez can get remoted and stranded when not partnered with one another.
The U.S. staff has crushed plenty of good groups in its historical past on the U-20 World Cup. It downed eventual champions Argentina on the group levels in 2005. It beat Brazil and Uruguay in 2007. It beat an excellent Colombia staff in 2015. It’s attainable that it may discover a manner subsequent week however rather a lot must go proper and Ramos must make plenty of selections that work out.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-01-23 22:58:46
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