ST. LOUIS — The U.S. males’s nationwide staff recorded a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a world pleasant on Saturday.
Tim Weah acquired the U.S. off to a dream begin, firing dwelling within the fourth minute after good work from Weston McKennie. Folarin Balogun practically doubled the U.S. benefit within the sixteenth minute, however may solely put his header in opposition to the publish.
The U.S. wasn’t in a position to construct on their early dominance, as some sloppy play in midfield and protection created some good alternatives for the guests. Eldor Shomurodov pounced on two errors late within the first half — one every from Tanner Tessmann and Tim Ream — however was denied on each events by Matt Turner.
The second half noticed extra of the identical from the U.S., with numerous possession, however not a lot in the way in which of clear-cut possibilities. That’s till substitute Ricardo Pepi completed off a collection of hustle performs by Sergiño Dest and fellow sub Brenden Aaronson to make the sport protected. Uzbekistan, with no extra subs, went down a participant after an harm to Khojakbar Alijonov within the final 10 minutes. Christian Pulisic then transformed a penalty in stoppage time for the third U.S. aim.
Uzbekistan did have some possibilities by exterior again Alijonov, however could not get the very important contact to actually threaten Turner in aim.
The U.S. will face Oman in St. Paul, Minn. in three days’ time.
RICOOOO SUAVEEEEE pic.twitter.com/GqVcUMois9
— U.S. Males’s Nationwide Soccer Crew (@USMNT) September 9, 2023
Supervisor score (scale of 1-10)
Gregg Berhalter, 5 — Berhalter’s first sport again witnessed his staff play a lot of the match in a well-recognized type. There was loads of possession and a few nifty method work, however little in the way in which of high quality alternatives, particularly after Balogun hit the publish.
Berhalter acquired good mileage out of his bench, particularly by Aaronson and Pepi, and with Uzbekistan pushing ahead, the sport opened as much as give the People some very important further area. That mentioned, this was a scoreline that flattered the house facet to a level, and with higher ending, Uzbekistan may need gotten extra out of this match.
Granted, it is solely been 5 days of coaching since Berhalter got here again, and on a few of these days the staff was at lower than full power, however the primary takeaway will likely be how the U.S. could not impose itself additional after taking an early lead. Berhalter’s assembly to fix the connection with Gio Reyna cannot occur quickly sufficient.
Participant scores (0-10; 10 = greatest; 5 = common)
GK Matt Turner, 8 — Went lengthy intervals with out having to the touch the ball, however twice bailed the U.S. out with saves from Shomurodov.
DF Antonee Robinson, 6 — Did what he may to hyperlink up with Pulisic and later Weah, however wanted to do higher on these events when Khojiakbar Alijonov lower inside to strike at aim.
DF Tim Ream, 4 — The St. Louis native captained the facet in his hometown, however reverted to his U.S. performances of yore, with lengthy spells of stable play solely to have some surprising giveaways.
DF Chris Richards, 7 — Strong within the again, and used his velocity to good impact throughout some transition alternatives for Uzbekistan.
DF Sergiño Dest, 7 — Was sharp on the ball, although he did concede a pointless free kick within the first half. His mazy run within the 73rd minute practically resulted in a aim.
MF Weston McKennie 7 — McKennie stays an absolute drive within the field, and did properly to attract in 4 defenders after which discover Weah for the U.S. aim.
MF Luca de la Torre, 6 — Unfortunate to have to return off following a collision that left his nostril bloodied. Was tidy on the ball, however misplaced a couple of duels in midfield, together with one sequence that led to Alijonov hitting the bar within the twenty third minute.
MF Yunus Musah, 6 — Delivered a few of his trademark runs with the ball, however light a bit within the second half.
FW Christian Pulisic, 5 — Was a lot aggressive within the attacking third, however struggled to beat opponents one-on-one. Simply not lots of finish product on this present day, and his set piece deliveries had been sub-par. No complaints about his penalty although.
FW Folarin Balogun 5 — Almost acquired on the scoreboard, solely to hit the publish together with his sixteenth minute header. Nonetheless, he lower a pissed off determine, as his teammates struggled to get him the ball, although he confirmed some nifty footwork across the field. Taken off after 45 minutes, which was the pregame plan.
FW Tim Weah, 7 — Took his aim properly, and shook free a couple of occasions down the wing. Simply wanted a bit accuracy together with his crossing.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
MF Tanner Tessmann, 3 — Actually struggled to rise up to hurry after he got here in for de la Torre, and his play did not enhance after halftime.
FW Ricardo Pepi, 7 — Noticed about the identical quantity of the ball as Balogun did, however when he acquired his probability, he completed with authority.
MF Brenden Aaronson, 6 — Introduced his trademark vitality, and his layoff arrange Pepi for the second U.S. aim.
DF Mark McKenzie, 6 — Stepped to the ball with confidence, and was environment friendly together with his passing.
MF Malik Tillman, NR — He threaded the needle to search out Pulisic late, and received a penalty in second half stoppage time.
DF Kristoffer Lund, NR — Native of Denmark makes his U.S. debut.
#USMNTs #Turner #clear #sheet #Pulisic #Balogun #wrestle