The Canada vs. United States World Cup match will be discussed by Sebastian and Steve. (1:45) A manager's explanation for a strikers inability to score is well known. His link-up play is excellent. He is doing the dirty work. He is getting in good positions. I would be worried if he wasn't doing that. - ESPN+ viewers' guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more - Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
It goes for center-forwards on the U.S. men's national team. In Thursday's win over El Salvador, there was Jesus Ferreira darting this way and that, creating a team-high four chances and getting credited with an assist on the goal.
In the first half, there were two missed chances that would have settled the U.S. nerves and likely would have led to a more comfortable victory. In neither case did he hit the target. Coach Berhalter has taken a full approach to assessing the play of Ferreira.
Berhalter said during Saturday's call with reporters that he had chances for himself and that he set up a number of other chances. He had that. We were happy with his play. His defensive work rate was very good. He did not check the boxes for putting the ball in the back of the net.
The sample size is too small, Berhalter said.
The fact that the U.S. manager has turned to five different center-forwards in nine qualification matches points to the fact that there is limits to what he can do. At some point, a goal scorer needs to start converting his chances.
If we are talking about sample size, it is not all that large. He has six international appearances to his name, yet he alone has been responsible for three goals. There is a certain comfort in having a No. 9 with a nose for goal. The belief is that a half-chance will be converted into a goal.
There is a debate over whether the lack of goals from strikers is a worry. In terms of where the goals come from, the U.S. has shown an impressive balance. If you include the own goal that Timothy Weah forced against Costa Rica, there have been seven from the center-forward position.
Berhalter values mobility and link-up play more than finishing at the moment. That could easily change against Canada if the hosts play more expansively or if they sit back and counter attack like they did in September. A player who knows the U.S. manager's system well from their time together in Columbus could be a good choice for Berhalter. It is possible for a defeat on the road to turn into a result, be it a draw or a win.
On Sunday, January. 30
• USG v Anderlecht (7.25 a.m. ET)
• Derby v Birmingham (8:25 a.m. ET)
• Cardiff v Forest (10.55 a.m. ET)
• Gent v Antwerp (11.55 a.m. ET)
• Kortrijk v Club Brugge (2.55 p.m. ET)
On Monday, January, there will be a meeting. 31
• Portsmouth v Charlton (2.40 p.m. ET)
Berhalter said that he had spoken toPepi about how much he has been juggling recently, including his recent move to FC Augsburg, and the pressure that comes with it.
The group will be helped in the short term and the long term, according to Berhalter. We talk about what we are looking for. What is the specific game plan against this opponent? We pick the player that fits the most. We felt like Jesus fit better in this case. That doesn't mean that Ricardo isn't a great player. He has other strengths. It means that we chose Jesus in that game.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the effectiveness of a center-forward. The loss of Weah due to his vaccination status is a blow for the U.S., but getting Christian Pulisic on track is key to raising the level of the attack.
The attacker looked out of place off the dribble. He will draw a lot of attention against Canada. The two sides played each other five times in September. Whoever lines up at center-forward could be the biggest beneficiary if the U.S. can find a way to find him more space.
cementing a place at the World Cup is beginning to come into view for the U.S. A result on Sunday followed by a win against Honduras on Wednesday in Minnesota will get the U.S. within touching distance.
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