Should the USMNT be disappointed with the goalless draw at Mexico?
The bodies started dropping after the whistle blew. The national team of the United States was warned of the energy sucking force of the Azteca and after 90 minutes there was nothing left in the tank. After the U.S. secured a massive point in a stalemate with Mexico, Jordan Pefok dropped to the prone position. No one was spared.
Berhalter acknowledged that there was lied the dilemma. He risked wearing out those players and getting nothing to show for it by playing what amounted to a first-choice starting XI.
- O'Hanlon: Why the draw in Mexico was one of U.S.'s best performances (E+)
- How U.S., Mexico and Canada can qualify
- USMNT draws at Mexico: How social media reacted
The point seems to be worth the cost for now. Berhalter would have been villainized if there had been a momentary breakdown in defense. A World Cup qualification win at the Azteca would have been a crowning achievement if Christian and Pefok had not missed their chances.
There is almost no gap between resounding success and utter failure.
It was a tough game. It took a lot out of us, and I am proud of the way the guys just put in a shift and the effort to make sure that we got that point at the end. We have a chance to go to the World Cup if we win on Sunday.
The entire qualification cycle will be viewed through that lens.
Berhalter insists there is plenty of time to recover from playing at the Azteca, but other teams have struggled in similar circumstances. Jamaica lost to Panama at home three days after losing to Mexico. Canada and Jamaica played out a draw at home. Three days after it made the trek, Honduras lost to Jamaica. Costa Rica beat Jamaica in the next game to back up its Azteca journey, after drawing at Mexico.
The sample is small enough to not show anything, but fatigue will be a worthwhile concern, so at least some squad rotation will be required.
Berhalter has no choice at two positions. Weah and Yedlin will not be available due to yellow cards. The absurdity of a suspension for two yellow cards over 12 games seems to have been forgotten.
After he replaced Weah in the 60th minute, it was obvious that he needed to be on the field from the beginning. He missed several months with a injury and only recently returned, but he played the full 90 for the team before the international break. There is no excuse for leaving him on the bench with a World Cup spot on the line.
Berhalter said that he looked quick and that he was getting fit.
After coach Berhalter compared the dribbling of Reyna to Maradona's legendary goal in 1986, the two players couldn't hold back the laughter.
With Yedlin out, Reggie Cannon was unavailable after testing positive for COVID and Sergino Dest was not with the team due to an injury. Moore started all six games of the United States Gold Cup matches, but has only appeared in two of them. His only start was in the United States' first World Cup qualification match against Panama, where he was pulled after 55 minutes.
The rest of the backline seems to be set with the exception of the goal. Left-back Antonee Robinson and center-back Walker Zimmerman have emerged as two of the team's most indispensable players, and the idea of breaking up the successful Zimmerman-Miles Robinson partnership at this stage doesn't make sense.
Berhalter said Tyler Adams should be ready to go. It is possible that Yunus Musah could be on the bench after 90 minutes, but he is too important for that to be expected. It makes sense for Luca de la Torre to come in for Kellyn Acosta in the other advanced role. De la Torre's ability to progress the ball and create is better served if the U.S. wants to dictate play against Panama.
It is unlikely that he could be dropped because he has been brilliant of late for the Blues and he did not have his best game against Mexico.
Berhalter has to make a decision on what to do at strikers. Jesus Ferreira, fresh off of his first Major League Soccer hat trick with FC Dallas, will be fully rested, while Pefok did nothing to inspire confidence against Mexico.
In the first game at Panama, Berhalter used seven new players compared to the previous game, and the lack of continuity made any gains he was hoping to make pointless. The U.S. managed just 0.24 xG in its worst showing during qualification, and Berhalter's selection of players has been influenced by that.
The lineup was supposed to get mobility and we didn't play our best, according to Berhalter.
The first United States-Panama match shouldn't be used as a guide to what to expect on Sunday.
We knew that this window would put us in position to either qualify or not, Berhalter said.
The team has a 17-0-1 record at home since the start of the year. Panama is not doing well on the road.
A win against Panama does not guarantee a spot in the tournament. Costa Rica would need to win against El Salvador or draw against it in order for the U.S. to officially win on Sunday. Costa Rica could pull level with three points if the U.S. and Costa Rica both win. Costa Rica would need to beat the United States in goal differential to break the tie, meaning a win against Panama would almost guarantee the Americans a spot in the World Cup.
If the United States loses or draws, it opens a number of nervy scenarios that would require a result in Costa Rica on the final match day, a place where the team is 0-9-2 all time.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
