Wales 11/12/20

Early on the match had the vibe of a friendly being played in the cold and rain.  First half was pretty slow for both sides, but the USMNT had the majority of the ball (61% possession for the first half and the game).

The main thing that stood out though was the pressure Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah were able to put on the ball as soon as we lost it.  Those 3 were fierce in both getting the ball back and holding on to it.  It's not like the Welsh are a bunch of scrubs either.  They are 21st in ELO Rating and we are 37th.

Second half was more of the same for Wales but we looked more dangerous.  Problem was that we didn't have a striker.  I don't blame Sebastian Lletget for not being in the right spots, He's a freaking midfielder playing as a "false 9."  It showed, big time.

Honestly, I really have to wonder if Gregg Berhalter is the man for this job.  What are Nicholas Gioacchini and Sebastian Soto on the roster for if you aren't going to play them (Nico came on in the 79th)?  Furthermore, was the entire game plan based on Josh Sargent being there?  It kind of seemed like it was to me because the USMNT was good in D, good in the midfield and could get into the attacking third pretty much at will.  However when they got there it all broke down.  No one was making runs into space or really moving at all lots of the time.  How Aron Jóhannsson wasn't called in when Sargent had to withdraw I'll never know.

I had forgotten that in the last USMNT match on 2/1/20 Gregg also employed a false 9, Jesús Ferreira.  What is this guy thinking?  Leaves Sargent off the Gold Cup roster and then Bremen stopped him, but I honestly don't think Berhalter values him.  In fact, I bet Sargent is 3rd on his depth chart right behind Jozy Altidore and Gyasi Zardes.  I don't get it at all.  If Sargent is in that XI yesterday (I know, not Gregg's fault) he scores at least one goal if not two.  So would Nico, Soto, Aron, etc.

I guess what I'm saying is all these people, Berhalter included, saying Sargent isn't ready or in line to be "next" have to keep their yaps shut until they see him on the pitch with our first choice players.  I'd wager a large sum that he would have scored yesterday.  Not only that, guys would have been looking for him.  Which is something the Bremen players never do, look for him when makes runs.  Gio Reyna or Sergiño Dest would picked him out yesterday for sure.

On to the players...

Zack Steffen - Was mostly good but had one almost terrible give away.  He did nothing to lose the #1 spot, but I do expect to see Ethan Horvath against Panama.

John Brooks - Dude showed why he is an absolute lock to start if healthy.  He can pick out a line busting pass with that left foot like no one else we have.  Doubt he plays Monday, and I need to see Chris Richards anyway.  Brooks was our third best player on the day.

Matt Miazga - It had been a while since I saw him in person, and his frame has filled out big time.  He's a man now, and he and Brooks form a massive duo in central defense, both height and muscle wise.  Matt also picked out a few good line breaking passes.  I'm still not sure he's the right guy to pair with Brooks just because they are such similar players.  

Dest - The real deal.  Absolutely no question he's our RB.  He's probably our best LB too, but he looks super comfy on that right side.  Our 2nd best player out there.

Antonee Robinson - His straight line foot speed can not be questioned at all.  He's got a rocket up his arse.  That said, his touch and passing leave something to be desired. I suppose he's our best natural LB, but something tells me Dest might play here with Reggie Cannon on the right.

McKennie - Our clear best player on the night.  No question he's our starting #8.

Adams - Looked great is his natural #6 spot.  We can finally move on from the Michael Bradley/Wil Trapp era.  Berhalter is nuts to play Tyler in any other position.

Musah - He looked like he belongs, plain and simple.  My first time seeing him but I think he's miscast as a #10.  He looks more like a #8 to me.  However, the way those 3 absolutely pressed to win the ball back has me rethinking our entire shape (if he commits to us).  Like I could do a 4-3-3 with the front line being Christian Pulisic on the left, Gio on the right and Sargent in the middle.  Although I do prefer Reyna as a #10 I think.

Gio - In the first half he was pretty invisible.  Floating along like he has been prone to do lately.  In the second half he got more involved, but with that came some ball hoggy-ness that he flashed at the U-17 World Cup.  Against Wales he'd get into good spots and just hold on to the ball for too long.  Granted, guys weren't making themselves available for passes too.  But he has got to move the ball quicker going forward at this level.  He'll be fine and is a guaranteed starter, but I continue to think that the wing isn't his best position.

Konrad - He had the best chance to score for us and choked.  Beyond that, he didn't look ready for primetime to me.  I'll give him that he was really the only one looking to make runs in behind, but they weren't that well timed.  If our entire pool is available I don't think he makes the match day 18.

Lletget - I actually kind of like him as a #10.  He's played well there for the USMNT in the past.  But as a striker, false 9, whatever, he was an abomination.  I blame Berhalter more than him.  Gregg trying to be smarter than everyone is already very old.  Just play a real #9 for cripes sake.

SUBS

Uly Llanez - Came on the pitch and almost scored with his first touch.  Only got 19 minutes but looked more dangerous than Konrad to me.

Johnny - I really liked what I saw of him.  FINALLY a guy who isn't afraid to kick the opposition in the shins.  We haven't had anyone like that since Jermaine Jones.  He for sure is Tyler's backup at #6, at least until Brendon Aaronson or Paxton Pomykal are ready.  No more Bradley, Trapp or Jackson Yueill.

Tim Weah - Only got 11 minutes but looked ready, lively and hungry.  Honestly, I don't know how Berhalter picked Konrad to play over him.  Or sub on Uly first.  Weah absolutely has to start against Panama.

Gioachinni - Why Gregg waited until the 79th minute to put him in is beyond me.  I have no idea if Nico is good or not, but our attack looked like a real team once he joined the action.

Cannon - He looked good in his 3 minutes but this is Dest's spot.  Like I said, if Robinson falters on the left we could see more of him.  I expect he'll start versus Panama.

Owen Otawosie - He's a nice big body but I didn't see much from him in 3 minutes, other than getting his pocket picked.