We have our first two matches of this years Nations League right around the corner. At this point it's a safe bet to say Horvath, Steffen, and Hamid will be the three keepers called in each time from here on out leading up to the World Cup. At the back George Bello is the only name which is fairly new. DeAndre Yedlin and Tyler Adams are the two on the right. Antonee Robinson, who recently signed with Championship side Huddersfield, is the starter on the left with Bello replacing Jorge Villafana. In the middle the top two options, John Brooks and Cameron Carter-Vickers, are in. Brooks has been downgraded from a first teamer to a rotation player at Wolfsburg, so his future could be called into question with the U.S. if he's failing to get minutes. Matt Miazga has been excellent in Greece and has been linked with a move to La Liga. He's the closest thing to a third choice option that we have. We've seen Auston Trusty and Justen Glad in the past, this time it's Tim Parker getting another chance.
In the middle the newly Premier League duo of Weston McKennie and Kellyn Acosta are here with Michael Bradley and Emerson Hyndman. In front of them, the U.S. have three options for the number ten role. Any one of Efrain Alvarez, Darlington Nagbe, and Handwalla Bwana could be named a starter. On the wings Christian Pulisic will start on the right and Jack Harrison on the left.
Lastly, up front it's three more familiar names. At this point Bobby Wood should always start and Jozy Altidore looks to be the second choice. With Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah failing to get minutes, Aron Johannsson continues to get his chance.
@USSoccer: A sprained ligament in training has ruled out striker Aron Johannsson for the two upcoming matches. Jordan Morris has been brought in as his replacement.
One way traffic in this one, as it should be every time the U.S. face Cuba. Cuba sat back and looked to beat the U.S. on the counter, which did pay off in the first half as they scored from their only shot in the first half. However, the Americans were just too much for the away side to handle. Cuba sat a little too deep allowing the U.S. to have shot after shot from the top of the box from no more than 20-25 yards out. The first goal came from a John Brooks header on a corner kick, which he headed across goal and into the net. 1-0. Less than a minute later Jack Harrison squared one to Christian Pulisic. He took a touch and hit one from into the half circle just outside the middle of the box. 2-0. Cuba got one back on a beautiful counter attacking goal by Reinaldo Garica, but that was really it from them. 2-1. After that the U.S. never looked back scoring four more in the second half. Weston McKennie played in Harrison inside the 6 yard box and he rolled it passed the keeper. 3-1. Kellyn Acosta then scored two in two minutes. His first came from just outside the half circle at the top of the box and the other was a header on a corner. 5-1. And finally the last came from a blast by McKennie from about 30 yards out which deflected of a defender and in. 6-1.
Another walk in the park for the U.S. Trinidad did have a few opportunities, but were wasteful, forcing Horvath into just one save. The away side sat back just like Cuba, but did a much better job of closing down the attackers and blocking a handful of U.S. shots and crosses. Christian Pulisic scored two quick goals right before the half to give us a comfortable lead heading into halftime. George Bello put in an inch perfect cross to the far post for Pulisic to head home from just a couple yards out. A few minutes later Bwana was dragged down in the box on another Bello cross. Pulisic stepped up and blasted one down the middle from the penalty spot as the keeper dove to his right. The third came from another cross, this time from the goal scorer, Pulisic. He hit a low hard cross from inside the box for Darlington Nagbe to tap home. Weston McKennie picked up a yellow card which means he will be suspended for our next match.
Timothy Weah is back in with the senior team for the first time since 2019. He's been stuck in the PSG Reserves since joining the French side back in 2016. With a weak Cuba side and a friendly scheduled this month, Weah gets another chance. A fracture finger keeps Ethan Horvath out this time around. Sean Johnson come in to replace the Club Brugge shot stopper. George Bello is back in for the second straight time over Jorge Villafana at left back. The rest of the defense remains the same. There are a couple changes further up the pitch with Efrain Alvarez being left out for Kenny Saief. The experiments continue at the number ten role with Handwalla Bwana not in the squad as well. Both Darlington Nagbe and Saief are natural winger, however, they both have the ability to play in the middle. They should get a chance to prove themselves there in these two matches.
Another three points as we clinch the group and will be in the semi-finals. Cuba's defense were a lot better in this one as they didn't sit as deep and forced us to play sideways passes quite a bit and weren't allowing so much space at the edge of the box. With that, our defense played extremely well winning what seemed like every ball in the air and every long ball over the top. Now to the two goals we scored. Jack Harrison marked his tenth international appearance with his third goal in a U.S. shirt. The goal came from the counter attack. Michael Bradley played the ball up to Bobby Wood, who played Christain Pulisic down the right with a ball over the top, and the Dortmund man hit a looping far post cross for Harrison to head home. 1-0. Bradley picked up his 26th U.S. goal from a free kick which the keeper should have saved. It curled just inside the post and crept in underneath the keeper. Like I said, we have won the group and our next match in this tournament will be a semi-final matchup. Mexico and Costa Rica have also qualified with Jamaica looking to be the other team going through. Canada have to beat Curacao by seven goals if they want to sneak in ahead of the Reggie Boyz.
A walk in the park for the U.S. as they were in full control from the start. Tunisia were held to just two shots, neither on target. Christian Pulisic was the star in this one, bagging a hat trick in 28 minutes. It all started with Weston McKennie working the ball out wide to George Bello who laid it off to Jack Harrison on the edge of the box. He quickly turned and played in a far post cross for Pulisic to direct home. 1-0. Seven minutes later Pulisic turned into Eden Hazard, picking up the ball on the right and making a sideways run skipping past two defenders and blasting one into the bottom left corner. 2-0. In the 28th minute Pulisic scored his hat trick thanks to another far post cross, this time from the 19-year old George Bello. Bello picked up his second assist just a few minutes into the second half. He played in a hard low cross to the top of the six yard box for Bobby Wood to smash home. 4-0. Wood doubled his tally 18 minutes later, this time through a cross from the right back Tyler Adams. Jack Harrison made it six after the Tunisia defense failed to close down the defender in the box.
The U.S. will close out the year with two away matches, first in South America and then Central American where they will play a fellow CONCACAF foe. This will be the first time the U.S. will head to Peru since the host nation beat the Americans 4-1 in Lima back in 2015. 2016 was the last time the U.S. played Guatemala. Both times the two sides played each that year were in World Cup qualifiers where the Americans lost the away tie. Overall, however, the U.S. have won four of the last five matches these two have played.
With the World Cup right around the corner there really isn't anymore time to experiment. Because of that, we see a very strong roster announced. It's the usual three keepers called in. At the back all six defenders called in are the same from last month. Has Tim Parker passed Auston Trusty on the depth chart? It looks like it. In the middle, again it's the same regular names minus Michael Bradley, who is out with a knee issue. In comes Cristian Roldan. Gianluca Busio is back in team. He can play in the middle or further up the pitch, to sit right behind the striker. Liverpool has loaned him out to Greek side, POAK this season, and Busio has settled in quickly and is playing well there. The four wingers are names we've seen consistently. Jack Harrison and Christian Pulisic have established themselves as the starters and the other two names, Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Saief, have been given plenty of minutes on the left. Nagbe can play on the right, which seems to be his role this time. Up front Bobby Wood and Jozy Altidore are in the team as is Haji Wright. We've seen Aron Johannsson, Tim Weah, Jordan Morris, and Josh Sargent. Johannsson and Morris have talent, but haven't really proved themselves at the senior team level. Sargent and Weah are two bright young talents, but just can't seem to get any minutes at club level leaving them severely lacking match fitness. Haji Wright has two caps and a goal with the B Team in the past. Now tbuc feels it's his time to prove himself with the full senior team.
Another good result for the U.S., but it's a friendly, so that doesn't matter. Bobby Wood's form has dipped scoring in just two of the ten games he's played in this calendar year, however, he did score twice in those two matches he managed to find the back of the net in. It was encouraging to see Gianluca Busio score his first goal in a U.S. shirt. He's getting first team minutes in Greece this season which should help him take that next step forward in his career. In the eight caps prior to today he really hasn't stood out. The only other player to mention is Matt Miazga. John Brooks and Cameron Carter-Vickers have established themselves as the two starters in the middle of the defense, but Miazga has proven to be a very strong third choice. As for the goals, we scored two, one of which was Busio's first in a U.S. shirt. After the Peru defense headed the ball out, Weston McKennie played in Busio who found the bottom first corner with his first touch. Not long before the final whistle Darlington Nagbe put the game to bed. DeAndre Yedlin picked up the ball on the halfway line and made a long run down the right, then cut in to the top of the box. After a sliding tackle knocked the ball away, it rolled right to Nagbe how blasted into the roof of the net.
We close out the year with what had to be the most boring match of 2021. Guatemala scored first with their first shot on target. It came from a set pieces from the left about 25 yards out. The ball in was hit with pace and plenty of whip. Nicolas Samayoa was able to out jump his marker in stride and redirect the ball into the net. Replays show he was offside, but it was very close. The U.S. leveled the scoring 13 minutes later on the counter. Weston McKennie won the ball just outside the center circle and quickly played it to his left to Jack Harrison. He then turned and made a darting run up field hugging the sideline and he eventually put in a far post cross for Christian Pulisic to tab home. After that neither side offered much. Both defenses limited their opponent to just long distance shots.
The U.S. will face off against Costa Rica next March in a CONCACAF Nations League Semi-Final. This will be the fourth time these two sides face each other this cycle with both teams winning away from home in World Cup Qualifiers. In the other match the U.S. beat Costa Rica 2-1 in the 2019 Gold Cup Quater-Finals. Mexico and Jamaica will face off in the other semi-final.
Pot 1 sees the top seven nations grouped together with the hosts. Every team outside of this pot will hope to be placed in the same group as Qatar.
POT 2:
Believe it or not, Senegal is the eighth ranked team right now by FIFA. They do have two world class wingers in Sadio Mane and Keita Balde along with Kalidou Koulibaly, who is one of the best center backs in the world. Italy are back after missing out in 2018. Ghana and Cameroon are also in this pot after missing out four years ago. Ghana had a pretty easy qualifying draw while Cameroon finished ahead of Egypt in their group.
POT 3:
Austria qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. They had an easy qualifying draw as they made it out with Croatia in their group. Holland topped their qualifying group ahead of Russia and are back after missing out in 2018. This is the second time the Czech Republic have qualified for a World Cup after becoming an independent nation in 1993.
POT 4:
Mali are in the World Cup for the first time! They finished ahead of Morocco in their qualifying group.
The draw has been made and the first thing that jumps out is how weak Group A is. Mexico shouldn't have a problem getting through and after missing the tournament four years ago, Austria are the favorites to get through with Eli Tri. Group B will be a fun one. The 2018 winners are the favorites here and the Portugal-Columbia match will be a must watch. Switzerland are always a tough matchup, but drawn into what I would consider the 'group of death' I can't see them getting through with Croatia and Brazil ahead of them. Both England and Argentina reached the Round of 16 in France and I predict the same to happen this time as well. Group E is where we see the U.S. and they will have a tough time getting through. Germany is the clear favorites, but Senegal is a very tough team and all eyes should be glued to the TV when they face the United States. Belgium are the favorites in Group F. Denmark and Ghana are duel it out to get through. Denmark could be the sleeper team with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Kasper Dolberg who is proving to be one of the top strikers in La Liga. It's hard to bet against Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and the rest of Uruguay, but with the backline Holland have, either one of those two could win the group. And, finally, in Group H, Spain and Italy are the favorites here.
Another year is in the books and this term we saw the U.S. qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Before the U.S. played a match in 2021, there was some big news with left winger Jack Harrison committing his future to the United States. Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Saief had been competing for the starting spot, but once Harrison made the announcement, he was called in right away. The U.S. played their final two World Cup qualifiers in March winning both. Harrison scored in his debut and bagged two assists against Costa Rica in his second match. Joining the U.S. at the World Cup from the CONCACAF will be Mexico and Jamaica. Trinidad lost to New Zealand in their two legged World Cup playoff. June and July brought us one Nations League match, which the U.S. beat Trinidad 2-0, as well as the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup. The U.S. stated strong in the Confederations Cup, winning two of their three group stage matches, but the U.S. were run off the pitch by Brazil and France in the Semi-Finals and third place matches. Looking at the positives from those matches, the Americans played well in the first 45 in both, but in the end, the U.S. were just outclassed in the second half. The B Team managed to win the Gold Cup, which was very exciting. The year ended with the U.S. winning the remaining three Nations League matches with ease scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in those matches. Finally we saw the 2022 World Cup draw. We now know the U.S. will play Germany, Senegal, and Japan in the group stages.
We’re so close! With the World Cup taking place in Qatar, the heat became a real concern. FIFA’s solution was the push the tournament back to November. As you can see above, the U.S. will start the year off with a Nations League Semi-Final match against Costa Rica, which will be followed up with the U.S. playing either Jamaica or Mexico in the Finals or Third Place match. After that there will be no competitive matches until the World Cup. There are two scheduled friendlies, one against South Korea which will be followed up with a tune up against Nigeria. Between that, I’m not sure what to expect. I would like to see the team play a few more friendlies. Our leader at the back, John Brooks, lost his starting spot with Wolfsburg. Getting him time on the pitch to gain match fitness before the World Cup starts will be vital.
A tough loss for the U.S. so close to the World Cup. Emmanuel was the clear third choice at right back and with an injury prone DeAndre Yedlin ahead of him, there was a change the English-born full back could’ve made the World Cup roster. He was never capped with the senior team with was called up a couple times, but was apart of the Confederations Cup side. With Emmanuel electing to represent Nigeria, the U.S. are left with a big question mark of who will be next behind Yedlin and Adams? This cycle we’ve seen just four other right backs on the pitch. Of those three they totaled just six starts and last played in a match for the Yanks back in 2019. That player was Shaq Moore who played in a friendly against South Africa.
Timothy Weah and Josh Sargent have been two of the top U.S. prospects for several years now. However, on the books at big clubs, neither have been able to log many minutes on the pitch. Because of the lack of playing time, both have been overlooked for the majority of this cycle. After joining PSG back in 2014, Weah finally forced a move away from Paris joining fellow Ligue 1 side, Nantes this winter. So far the pacy forward has scored four goals in nine starts for his new side. Now that the 22-year old is beginning to establish himself with the first team at his new club, Weah is back in the picture with his national side. Looking over the roster there aren’t any surprises, however we do see one blast from the past. With both Antonee Robinson and Jorge Villafana out injured, Greg Garza is back in the picture. The D.C. United left back has seen the field just twice in a U.S. shirt since 2015. The only questions which could be asked is about the middle of the pitch. There is no doubt the U.S. are deepest at central midfield. Cristian Roldan and Gianluca Busio will be upset and possibly concerned that they will miss out this time around. Tbuc has elected to go with Michael Bradley over the two previously named players. Efrain Alverez is also back in the team. He is getting regular minutes in the Belgium First Division with Anderlecht, although he hasn’t stood out. Busio, on the other hand, landed a loan move this season with POAK in Greece where he has been a star. Comparing the two, it is Alvarez who has been better in a U.S. shirt. As for Roldan, he has been a top player in the MLS for several seasons now. He was also the stand out player for the U.S. B Team at last years Gold Cup, but that still wasn’t enough for the Seattle Sounders man to pass the veteran Michael Bradley on the depth chart.
The U.S. number one, Ethan Horvath will miss out against Costa Rica with a hamstring strain.
@USSoccer: Starting keeper, Ethan Horvath, has been ruled out for the two upcoming Nations League matches. NYCFC number one, Sean Johnson is called in.
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