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America fell to Ukraine to open it is U-20 World Cup marketing campaign. How did this occur? What’s subsequent? ASN’s Brian Sciaretta takes a glance
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Could 24, 2019
5:00 AM
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THE UNITED STATES U-20 nationwide crew opened its 2019 U-20 World Cup marketing campaign with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Ukraine on Friday night in Poland. The loss now units up a really difficult path for Tab Ramos’ crew to advance to the knockout levels.
The U.S. crew got here out robust with many of the possession however fell behind within the twenty sixth minute Serhiy Buletsa acquired behind Sergino Dest after a poor defensive effort from the Ajax proper again. Buletsa made no mistake and beat goalkeeper Brady Scott with a shot to the close to publish.
America responded rapidly with an equalizer within the thirty first minute when an extended spell of possession noticed Dest, Konrad de la Fuente, and Paxton Pomykal make a nifty mixture within the field that sprung Tim Weah on the precise flank. Weah despatched in an ideal low cross that discovered a well-positioned Brandon Servania for a close-range end.
The second half noticed the U.S. crew push ahead however fall behind within the 51st minute when Denys Popov beat Chris Richards within the field on a nook and headed dwelling the ball from shut vary.
For the remainder of the sport, the U.S. crew pushed ahead however was not very harmful. Alex Mendez hit the publish with a shot with 10 minutes remaining and Mendez additionally pressured Andriy Lunin to make a number of good saves.
The loss put the USA in a harmful scenario the place it’s going to seemingly wants at the least a win and a draw from its last two video games. It subsequent sport, on Monday, is perhaps its hardest take a look at of the group levels in opposition to Nigeria.
Listed here are some ideas on the sport
Ukraine was very good
Whereas American followers are understandably disillusioned with the end result, full credit score should go to Ukraine which executed a extremely smart sport plan to near-perfection. Youth nationwide crew soccer sometimes has much more errors than on the senior stage. Defensively, Ukraine made completely no errors. For the U.S. crew to attain, it needed to efficiently full a really troublesome mixture of passes. That was extra to the credit score of the U.S. than a mistake by Ukraine.
Ukraine stayed compact and superbly absorbed strain. The U.S. had extra possession however was hardly ever harmful. To not make any important errors in opposition to a gifted U.S. crew is a exceptional feat on the youth stage.
Ukraine was prepared to wager the U.S. crew would make extra defensive errors (regardless of controlling extra of the ball) than it could. And when the U.S. made a mistake, Ukraine was assured it could end its few possibilities. It completely did. A poor dealing with of a long-ball by Dest and a poor marking on a nook was all it took.
For the united statesteam, it seemingly gained’t face an opponent who can flawlessly defend and ruthlessly end like Ukraine did right this moment.
Too many struggled in possession
The defensive errors weren’t the one purpose why the U.S. crew misplaced. Ukraine was distinctive defensively however the united statesteam was not almost as dynamic because it may have been.
Chris Durkin was poor together with his passing within the second half. He wasn’t capable of play the ball into harmful attacking positions. Durkin was requested to be the primary hyperlink between the protection and the assault however that’s the place the U.S. crew struggled essentially the most.
Tim Weah had an help however was disappointing for many of the sport. He hardly ever bothered the Ukraine’s backline. Alex Mendez was harmful with the ball at his feat however his off-the ball motion lacked and he disappeared for too many stretches. Servania was serviceable and scored the objective, however wasn’t nice both. Konrad de la Fuente exhibits loads of promise however it’s value remembering that he’s nonetheless extraordinarily younger for this match – eligible for the 2021 U-20 World Cup as properly.
The very best U.S. participant within the sport was Paxton Poymkal who was comfy in tight areas, clean together with his passes, and efficient together with his motion. He’s an thrilling prospect, certainly.
From the fullbacks, Chris Gloster seems to be very thrilling and it’s onerous to recollect a U.S. left again at this age with as full of a sport as he has. Segino Dest is clearly comfy with the ball and may blast ahead into the assault however his protection wants loads of work earlier than he can take the subsequent step. It wasn’t simply this sport the place he was poor defensively, he hasn’t had a fantastic defensive season at Jong Ajax both (which regularly will get overshadowed by his highlights of excellent offensive performs).
Nigeria
Nigeria is traditionally very robust at youth World Cups and this crew seems to be stable. It’s coming off a convincing 4-0 pounding of Qatar right this moment.
Tab Ramos could have a number of huge choices to make.
1) How will he use Weah? Weah wasn’t a constant menace and which may even be because of the truth he didn’t play for the crew this cycle till now. He may play on the wing or as a No. 9 however what is going to get Weah extra concerned?
2) Cerrillo or Durkin on the No. 6? Durkin didn’t have a fantastic sport however will Ramos enthusiastic about going with the very bodily Cerrillo who may deal with Nigeria’s athletic attacking midfielders and defend the backline?
3) Will Ledezma become involved? Richard Ledezma missed many of the previous 12 months on account of accidents and a switch overseas to PSV Eindhoven however he is without doubt one of the finest No. 8 midfielders on the crew (whereas additionally having the ability to play out broad). Can Ramos discover a technique to get Mendez, Ledezma, and Pomykal on the sphere at one time? It’s attainable if Ledezma replaces Servania however who will play out broad? Pomykal or Ledezma? That additionally is perhaps harsh on Servania who brings defensive sport as properly.
The trail ahead
There may be actually a path ahead for Ramos. A draw and a win from its last two video games will surely ship it by. When trying on the previous few U-20 World Cups, even three factors can provide a path ahead. In 2015, one of many two third place finishers with three factors superior. In 2013, two of the 4 third place finishers with three factors superior. In 2011, all 4 third place finishers with three factors superior. However two years in the past in 2017, neither of the 2 third place finishers with three factors superior.
However proper now the main target must be discovering a method for the gamers to make the large performs that win video games. That was absent in opposition to Ukraine, regardless of some fairly spells of possession. The crew is able to it however it may possibly’t come up empty.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-01-24 05:06:16
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