The USMNT squad are finally playing their part, and the Futbol Americas crew gives credit to the coach. There is a time and a place for it. Diego Alonso had come to some important conclusions by the time his team arrived in Arizona. After beating Mexico at State Farm Stadium on Thursday, La Celeste can now focus on the United States on Sunday. In two of the last three World Cups, South America's best team has been the nation of just three-and-a-half million. If they want to get the best out of their resources, they need to achieve the right collective balance. After failing to qualify for three out of four World Cups between 1994 and 2006 and being eliminated in the group phase of the last World Cup, a group of wonderful veterans helped bring the country back to the top table. Live games and replays of MLS, LaLiga, and the Bundesliga are available on the ESPN+ streaming service.
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They had to go through the play off to get to South Africa, where they finished fourth. How should the players involved in that run be treated? Can Luis and Edinson still operate together? Is 4-4-2 the best formation?
Oscar Washington Tabarez seemed to have decided that it was time to move on. The team only played in a 4-4-2 formation once. The two players took the field together in Brazil, where they were defeated by a score of 4-1. Alonso, fresh off a futile tenure as Inter Miami's first-ever coach, returned to the scene. He went back to a 4-4-2 set-up for the rest of the games because they had to win and they were easy to beat.
Alonso tried something different in the final round after three consecutive wins took the team over the line. He started with himself up front, followed by five men in the middle. He picked a team that looked closer to the one he'd use in the World Cup. Alonso can rely on the strength of Maxi Gomez.
The advantages of playing a single central strikers are obvious. It allows the team to field three in the middle of the field. Real Madrid's Federico Valverde has emerged as the most important member of the side and he works well with Spurs' Rodrigo Bentancur Lucas Torreira can hold in front of the defence and Matias Vecino can play in a defensive role even without Bentancur. The formation makes the current Uruguay side more difficult to play through.
The flanks can be freed by having a single strikers. In the first few minutes of the second half, Mexico took a lead, but that was quickly turned into a three goal deficit by two goals by Edinson Cavani. Both of the quick strikes came from breaks down the right. He is on a loan at Alaves, where he has not seen a lot of action. Alonso took a chance on him early this year and has been rewarded for his running with the ball. He set up the second goal and the final strike was scored by a substitute.
Mexico's formation seemed ill-equipped for the occasion and will not be as obliging as others. They left themselves light in the middle of the field. It's expected that the USMNT will give a stiff test on Sunday. They have one last game in June, a chance for their fans to see them in Montevideo on June 11, but Jamaica have pulled out.
The importance of the match against the USMNT is heightened by the possibility that the new opponent could produce a festive occasion more than an international.
Diego Godin will most likely be playing in Kansas City. The captain came on for the final few minutes of the game. It will be a surprise if he's left out against the US, but some will be surprised if he keeps his place in the team. A move back to South America has not gone well for Godin. He hasn't gotten a lot of playing time with Brazilian champion Atlantique Mineiro and could be headed to Argentina.
Will he be phased out? He could pair Jose Maria Gimenez with Ronald Araujo of Barcelona. The use of Araujo at right back seems to be a waste. He was hurt in the first half against Mexico and the advantages of a genuine right back were made clear when he made the forward run that set up the third goal.
The game on Sunday may be an important one for Godin. He has been a rock throughout the reemergence of the country. He needs a good performance against the USMNT to show that he can retire on a high.
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