Alejandro is not sure if the US can win games before the World Cup starts. There is a time and a place for it. There weren't many players who performed up to their level in the just concluded international window, the last before the start of the World Cup. The game was played before a crowd of no more than 1,000 spectators at the Estadio Nueva Condomina. A lack of precision in the attacking third meant the U.S. generated just two shots on goal and just 0.28 expected goals. There isn't much in the way of hope going into the World Cup for the U.S. The United States created little World Cup optimism in the draw.
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Berhalter said at his postgame press conference that there weren't many players that performed up to their normal levels.
It's our job to make them confident so they can do their job. You can ask anyone about the performance of the center backs or full backs. We were below our normal levels.
There is a lot about the run up to the World Cup that is not normal. After players are released by their clubs, all of the teams involved will have less than a week to prepare.
The final roster for the World Cup will be announced by Berhalter on November 9.
I'm sympathetic to them. He said it was difficult to be in. "Everyone is fighting for roster spots and instead of performing like the team we know we are, we lacked a little confidence in that."
That hurt the performance. We didn't take advantage of the spaces that were available.
Even as it copes with injuries, the U.S. isn't playing at its best.
After 30 minutes, the player pulled himself out of the game as a precautionary measure, because he felt a twinge in his left leg.
The team was happy to have Christian back in the lineup after he missed the Japan game with an injury.
While the U.S. had more possession against the Saudis, and worked the ball up the field with greater consistency, the final pass wasn't always accurate. Even though he showed some flashes of attacking verve, he couldn't convert those into clear chances.
"We were off on a number of plays, and that has to do with the confidence of the group," said Berhalter.
I told them to use it to prepare, go back to their clubs, play their games, get fit, and come to Qatar with an open mind and the idea that we want to compete there.
Berhalter said that he and the staff got some clarity about some players.
He wouldn't say what those were, but he did say that things became clear.
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