The U.S. are off to the Nations League Finals for the second time in arrow. Costa Rica did have the majority of the possession and shots, however, with three goals in the opening 30 minutes, the U.S. were a little complacent in the second half. Christian Pulisic got us on the board first. Playing out from the back, the ball eventually found it's way to Jake Harrison on the edge of the box. A quick burst toward the end line created enough space for a far post cross which Pulisic headed home. The Dortmund winger was tripped in the box and there was no question when Pulisic picked up the ball that he was going to take the PK. The keeper did guess right on the shot from the spot, but the winger placed it perfectly in the bottom right corner. 2-0. Striker Bobby Wood put the game to bed with two goals of his own. The first came from a cross in the box by DeAndre Yedlin which Wood headed in off the underside of the bar. The second came with a bit of luck. It was Kellyn Acosta who had a go from about 25 yards out which hit off of Wood and into the net. 4-0.
The U.S. will face the team who beat them in the 2019 Gold Cup final. Leon Bailey was the star against Mexico. The Manchester City star now has 26 goals in 41 caps for the Reggae Boyz.
Leading up to this match the U.S. had played 11 Nations League matches and had won all of them. That changed in this years final. It was a very exciting match for the neutral as both sides had great chances in the first half. Michael Bradley picked up a second yellow early in the second half and the U.S. sat deep from that point on. The previous champions were able to hold on until the final whistle, but Jamaica proved to be too much against the tired legs of the U.S. in the end.
In extra time the U.S. decided to go for it and got beat on the counter just one minute in. It was the Jamaican left back, who plays in the United States at club level, who bagged the winner. Just ten minutes later Leon Bailey put the game away with a blast from about 10 yards out. Disappointing, but with just 10 men on the pitch for over an hour the loss was expected.
From here I don't know what to expect as far as getting this team together before the World Cup. The tournament is eight months away and the only thing on our schedule until then are two tune up matches within 10 days of our opening match against Japan. I'm hoping we have the chance to arrange a few more matches before then.
We have now made it to April and while most leagues around the world are in the off season, the United States decided it was a good time to announce two upcoming friendlies, both taking place in the U.S. The Americans will face the Swiss for the first time since 2015. That match will take place in Washington D.C. before the U.S. head to New York to face Argentina. When tbuc took over back in 2018, his fourth match in charge of his home came against Argentina in which La Albiceleste won 2-0 thanks to a double by Gonzalo Higuain.
With six months left until the World Cup, I think it’s time to look at the roster. This time it will be much more abbreviated as, with such little time left, we have a very good idea who will be on the plane to Qatar.
First we’ll look at the keepers where we pretty much know which three will be on the roster. Ethan Horvath has been the number one for a few years now, and after another successful year with Anderlecht in Belgium his spot is not in question. Next up is Zack Steffen. Back when we started in 2018, Steffen and Horvath were projected to be the future, but no one knew which of the two shot stoppers would step up and become the starter. Although Steffen hasn’t done anything wrong, his career hasn’t progressed like most would’ve thought. He was a standout for several seasons in the MLS with the Columbus Crew before moving to Pumas in Mexico in June 2021. Although that is a minor step up, he’s now 27-years old, so a career in Europe seems unlikely. After a rough start to his club career in Denmark, Bill Hamid is now the number one at Midtylland where he’s been able to get Europa League minutes as well. He’s been a regular call up as the third choice for the U.S., so at this point it’s safe to say he’s the favorite over Sean Johnson and Alex Bono.
In the middle of the defense both Cameron Carter-Vickers and John Brooks are the clear favorites to start in Qatar. Brooks, who has been the top option in the middle, may have been passed talent wise by his partner. Brooks had been a first team regular in the Bundesliga for eight seasons before he was dropped to the bench this term. He only made five appearances in the league all coming off the bench. A move this summer is vital for the German-born center back and that could happen as his name is being linked with a move to Championship side, Southampton. Carter-Vickers career has gone the opposite direction. In 2018 he was on loan in the Championship and followed that up with another two seasons away from Tottenham in the English second division. Finally, he was sold to Fulham were he’s been a regular starter in the Premier League. His success in the west side of London has seen his name linked with Newcastle and Bournemouth. Matt Miazga is the clear third option. If Brooks doesn’t find a new team this summer, then Miazga could sneak into the starting eleven at the World Cup. He was on the books at Chelsea for five seasons where he was loaned out season after season before landing a permanent deal to Greek side PAOK. After two seasons there it's clear he’s a step above in Greece and the New York native is now being linked with a move to four different Premier League sides. The final spot looks to come down to Auston Trusty or Tim Parker. Parker is a vetran in the prime of his career and has been one of the best in MLS for a handful of years now. Trusty is on the other end of the spectrum. He just finished his third season in the 2. Bundesliga where he’s looking to really stand out. On paper Parker is probably the better player, but Trusty is still young and has plenty of room to grow as a player. It will come down to which tbuc values more.
At the fullback positions I think it’s clear the four names will be DeAndre Yedlin, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and George Bello. Yedlin has been a regular starter in Ligue 1 for Marseille and has played extremely well. Injury problems have been a major issue for the Seattle native, so U.S. fans must cross their fingers and hope he remains health over the next six months. Adams can play at right back as well as in the midfield. His versatility could see him play quite a bit in Qatar and also allows the U.S. to carry an extra player elsewhere. On the left Robinson has been the starter since day one. However, with Bello’s continued progression, we could see him pass Robinson on the depth chart soon. Robinson came up through the Everton ranks and only managed four substitute appearance before joining Championship side, Huddersfield on a free. He’s only been average at best in his four seasons (three on loan) in the English second division and really hasn’t taken that next step in his career. Bello, on the other hand, was playing for the Atlanta United Reserve team in 2018 as a 16-year old. Since that time, he was a starter for two and a half years in the MLS before moving to Stuttgart of the Bundesliga this January. He only managed three league appearances, but surprisingly scored three goals in those matches. It’s hard to imagine he’ll start next year, but at 20-years old he has plenty of time to grow.
I've been using the 4-2-3-1 a lot lately as the competition in the CONCACAF is pretty weak. Ideally I want to play out from the back and get the ball wide to either Pulisic or Harrison. When we don't have possession we are to press higher up the pitch and force the opposition into just hoofing it up the pitch. We have two strong CB's good in the air and two pacy FB's who can over.
When we face much toucher opponents (World Cup) I'm going to use the 4-3-3. The tactics will be similar as we will look to press higher up and play out from the back. I just want the extra cover in the midfielder when we play a team who will likely have the majority of the possession.
The midfield is definitely our deepest position. Both Weston McKennie and Kellyn Acosta are getting regular minutes in the Premier League and are our top two options. Michael Bradley is a bit of the wild card. He’s 34-years old and has slowly regressed over the past four years playing in the MLS. It could be time for Cristian Roldan to be given a chance over the former captain. He’s in the prime of his career and has been a fringe player throughout this cycle. He’s also played well in a U.S. shirt and was a major standout with the B Team at the last Gold Cup. Gianluca Busio has taken a major step forward in his career. He was loaned out by Liverpool this season and was a star at PAOK in Greece. He’s a natural number ten, but is physical enough to play a little deeper if the U.S. elect to play with three in the midfield and switch back to the 4-3-3 formation. Emerson Hydman has been a regular in Serie A with Torino this season and played alright. The Texas native was just sold to Premier League side Stoke. Again, if the U.S. play in a 4-3-3 he would be the perfect option to play alongside of McKennie and Acosta. Efrain Alvarez is competing with Hyndman and Busio for a spot on the roster as the more attacking option. Hydman is a deep lying playmaker who plays in the midfield while Alvarez is a true attacking midfield and plays right behind the striker. Busio can play both positions which may give him a leg up. With five spots we do know the U.S. will carry three ball winning or box-to-box midfielders and two playmakers. McKennie and Acosta will fill the former role with either Roldan and Bradley fighting it out for that last spot. Hydman should make the roster as he is more established at this point in his career compared to Busio and Alvarez.
Roster look over with six months to go (Part Three)
On the wings we know Christian Pulisic and Jake Harrison are the starters. Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Saief will fight it out for the backup spot on the left, plus both can play and the attacking number ten role as well. Jonathan Amon hasn’t played for the United States since 2019, but he had a breakout season in Denmark last term. It may not be the most competitive league in the world, but Amon can play on both wings and that bit of versatility shouldn’t go overlooked. The backup role to Pulisic is still a big question mark. Paul Arriola was called in last time, but his career has gone stale over the last few years. Duane Holmes has seven caps this cycle and has had a strong career in the English Championship. Timothy Weah is a natural striker, but has played plenty on the wing for the U.S. PSG sold him in January to Nantes, and the pacy forward played well in Ligue 1, even though his side ended up getting relegated. Lastly, Joel Sonora joined the Seattle Sounders back in 2019 and was named the starter on the right wing from the start. He’s is the fourth name on the shortlist to make the roster. Up front Bobby Wood and Jozy Altidore are locks to make the final roster. Wood has spent four of the last five seasons in the Bundesliga and has been the starter for the U.S. this cycle. That will continue going forward. Altidore has been a regular call up for over ten years now. As long as his good form continues for both Toronto and the U.S. his international career will continue as well. The final spot is still a question. Timothy Weah is the favorite now that he’s finally getting first team minutes in France. Behind him there isn’t a clear choice. Aron Johannsson has had a great club career playing multiple seasons in the Bundesliga, Serie A, and now the Turkish Super League. He’s coming off a ten goal season in just 16 starts. However, his club success hasn’t translated into a strong international career. After that is a big question mark. Jordan Morris has been called in sporadically, but hasn’t been much more than a good MLS striker and Josh Sargent continues to play for the reserve team at Werder Bremen. Both are options, but are very much on the outside looking in.
osh Emmanuel has changed his mind in regards to which nation he’d like to represent at the international stage. He had been called in a few times into the U.S. senior side, but never played a match. With the World Cup around the corner, Emmanuel decided his best chance of playing in Qatar was to switch his allegiance to Nigeria. He was called in by the Super Eagles back in match, but missed out in June. That led him to yet again decided to switch who he wishes to play for. With the lack of depth at the right back spot, the U.S. have expected him back with open arms. It will be interesting to see if tbuc will call him in for the September friendlies.
This is it. Our final roster announcement before the World Cup squad is revealed. The three goalkeepers are the same as March. George Bello looks to be the second choice left back now. He was called in last November and has been in the squad ever since. On the right, Emmanuel is in the team and it looks to be in place of Michael Bradey, as Tyler Adams is listed as a midfielder. There are six midfielders in the squad instead of the normal five. McKennie, Acosta, Adams, and Hyndman will be the four sitting deeper if the U.S. elect to play with a number 10. Busio and Alvarez will be fighting if out to play that advanced midfielder role. Upfront we only see three wingers called in. Regular names Pulisic, Harrison, and Nagbe are in. Weah, who is listed as a striker can play on the right as can Nagbe, who is a natural left winger.
Josh Emmanuel was the talk of the town after announcing he would represent the U.S. going forward. Two months later he was called in for the final two friendlies before the World Cup roster was to be reported. Now, just four days later he is being replaced by Michael Bradley on the roster because of an injury. To add insult to injury (no pun intended), he’s a doubt to be back in time for the World Cup. At 25-years old his time is not over. DeAndre Yedlin is the clear first choice, but at 29 he may be past his best by 2026. Tyler Adams will slot in at right back for these two matches.
Although results don’t matter in friendly matches, this close to the World Cup I do put some stock in it. With that, a 2-1 win over the Swiss is a great result. They did get on the board first, but it was a fluke goal. It came from a cross in the box from Xherden Shaqiri which hit off of John Brooks’s heel and into the net. What makes me scratch my head is the fact there were no Swiss players within 10 yards of the center back. Outside of that we were the much better side. Weston McKennie and Jack Harrison both had great chances in the opening ten minutes to get us on the board first. McKennie hit one from roughly 25 yards out, but it just sailed over the bar. Harrison made a nice run in the box and had a hit, but was robbed by a top class save. Eventually we did get our goal when Harrison was dragged down in the box. Our star, Christian Pulisic sent the keeper the wrong way and it was 1-1. The Dortmund winger gave us the lead early in the second half. Harrison put in a far post cross which Pulisic knocked in at the far post on the volley.
*For those wondering why I made zero subs… Well I was doing two things at once and lost track of the game time. smh
This was our final match before the World Cup roster will be announced and I don’t think there are any more question marks. Which formation we run out in has been a question from the start, but at this point it’s clear Emerson Hyndman is a better option than any of the number tens. Busio and Alvarez aren’t far off, but aren’t quite there yet. With three in the middle it will allow us to transition back into defense much quicker as well. That will be vital when we play the best nations in the world. Although we lost this one, I thought we played pretty well. We definitely had our chances, but couldn’t get a second goal. The first came from free kick off the boot of Leo Messi. Horvath did get his hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out. Just five minutes before the half we found the equalizer. Mckennie played a square pass to Hyndman who was about 30 yards out. He settled himself and took a couple touches forward and to his right to get closer to goal and hit a curler around an onrushing defender and into the top right corner. Argentina were able to get the winner in the 72nd minute. It came from a corner which was headed out to the top of the box where Pavon hit it through traffic, off of the keeper and in.
Now we cross our fingers and hope no one gets hurt over the next three months.
The leader and star of the defense, John Brooks, will miss the World Cup through a hip injury. After losing his starting spot at Wolfsburg, Brooks left for the MLS just two months ago and was a ‘key player’ for the New England Revolution before getting hurt. His leadership at the back will be missed. Not only has he played in a World Cup before, his 38 caps this cycle is tied with DeAndre Yedlin for second most of any U.S. national team player. This means Matt Miazga and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be the starting center backs as we look ahead to Qatar. Carter-Vickers has taken a major step forward in his career over the past four seasons. This season marks his third as a starter for Fulham in the Premier League. Matt Miazga’s career has slowly progressed as well. After spending five seasons out on loan away from Chelsea, he finally landed a permanent move to PAOK. He spent two seasons in Greece where he was clearly a class above and landed another move, this time to newly promoted Premier League side, Brington. However, in nine games this season, Miazga has only managed six starts.
A massive blow as the U.S. will be without two of their top three center backs. Miazga, who started his club season on the bench with Premier League side, Brighton, managed three consecutive league starts before getting hurt. With two spots now open there is a major question mark of who will make the final roster. Austin Trusty was the favorite to win the fourth and final spot on the roster. The 24-year old is now in his fourth year as a starter in the 2. Bundesliga and has been a consistent performer over that time. He will likely lineup alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers when the team hits the field in Qatar. With two spots still open, there are a few options tbuc could choose from, all playing the MLS. Tim Parker is having another strong season with San Jose and has five caps to his name this cycle. I would consider him the favorite. Justin Glad has gotten consistent minutes with NYCFC and has three caps under tbuc this cycle. He was a promising younger, but at 25-years old, most would say he is yet to reach his prime. One veteran I wouldn’t count out is 35-year old Matt Besler. He has World Cup experience to his name and is still one of the best center backs in the MLS. His leadership in the locker room could be looked at as a plus, but hasn’t seen the pitch in a U.S. shirt in over three years.
The World Cup roster has been announced and there aren’t any surprises. Again we see Horvath, Steffen, and Hamid as the three keepers. In the middle of the defense we don’t see John Brooks or Matt Miazga who are both out with hip injuries. Those two will be sorely missed. In there place are Tim Parker and Justen Glad. Parker just finished his seventh season in the MLS and posted an ‘average rating’ of anywhere between 6.88-6.99 over that time. He’s always been a strong, consistent performer and tbuc knows what he’s getting from the Kentucky native. As for Glad, 2022 was his sixth season as a MLS starter. His ‘average rating’ over that time varied from 6.73-7.06. His rating over his career hasn’t been as consistent as Parker, however, it has been higher over the last two seasons. At the fullback position we see regular names in DeAndre Yedlin, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and George Bello. In the middle of the pitch we see the expected names of McKennie, Acosta, Hyndman, and Bradley. Fringe players Gianluca Busio and Cristian Roldan make the roster as well. This is the deepest position the U.S. have and there isn’t any doubt both players deserve to be here. Christian Pulisic is the only natural right winger on the roster, however, Nagbe, Weah, and Roldan can all play on the right. Joining Nagbe and Pulisic on the wings is Jack Harrison. Lastly, up front are Bobby Wood, Jozy Altidore, and Tim Weah.
The World Cup tuneup matches are meant to get the players match fit and hopefully avoid injuries. Unfortunately, the U.S. lost Darlington Nagbe today. We’ll have to wait and see how serious the knee injury is. As for the rest of the team, everyone played well. We had our two backup center backs play all 90 minutes in this one and both proved their worth. Parker picked up the assist on our first goal. It started with Timmy Weah picking up a pass on the right flank from Cristian Roldan. After three quick touches he put in a beautiful far post cross right before the left back could close him down. Parker headed it back across goal for Weston McKennie to knock in with his head. Moving forward, Jack Harrison picked up his fifth international goal. Again it was Weah who started it off with a ball in the box, this time from a free kick fairly deep on the right flank. Poor marking lead to Harrison being open at the far post and he just tapped it home. Tune in for an update on Darlington Nagbe’s injury.
The U.S. will be without versitial left winger Darlington Nagbe for the upcoming World Cup tournament. He wasn’t going to be a starter, but his ability to excel on both flanks allowed the U.S. to carry just three natural wingers on the team. Timmy Weah has the pace and ability on the ball to play out wide, but he is a natural striker. In steps Kenny Saief to replace Nagbe. Saief has been a regular starter for Anderlecht of the Belgium Pro League over the past four seasons and was a regular call up to the national team before Jack Harrison committed his future to the United States. Saief isn’t much of a drop off talent wise to Nagbe, but isn’t nearly as comfortable on the right wing.
We head into the World Cup in great form with wins against South Korea and Nigeria. Gianluca Busio was the standout in this one with two great goals. Both teams had plenty of chances throughout the match, however. Busio scored his first in the nineteenth minute. George Bello put in a far post cross which was headed to the top of the box by the Nigerian defender. Busio was quickly able to control it with his first touch and with his second he blasted it into the bottom left corner. Skipping ahead to the second half Busio doubled our total after just three minutes giving us the lead once again. Pulisic started the move with a long run down the right before centering the ball to Bobby Wood on the edge of the box drawing the center back toward him. He played a short, squad ball to Busio who hit it with his first touch into the top left corner past a diving keeper.
The first real chance of the match fell to the U.S. in the ninth minute. Left back Antonee Robinson slipped in Jack Harrison who turned and had his shot blocked. The rebound fell to Weston McKennie, who was 10 yards out, but he blasted it well wide and over the bar. Japan had their first of two shots on target in the 24th minutes from a free kick. The ball looked destined for the bottom right corner, but Horvath was able to get there in the knick of time and push it wide. The game didn’t offer much for the neutral overall. Japan’s second shot on target was a golden opportunity in the 47th minute. On the counter attack, their striker picked up the ball at the top of the box. He slipped passed his marker and had a hit from 15 yards out, but it was too close to the keeper who parried it wide and over the bar. From that point on the U.S. had the majority of the chances, but nothing really tested the keeper until the very end. In the 88th minute Christian Pulisic put in a corner kick and Cameron Carter-Vickers was pushed from behind and he fell to the ground. The referee quickly blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. The decision did go to VAR, but there was nothing the referee saw to overturn his call. The late injury replacement, Kenny Saief, stepped up and blasted it past the diving keeper and it was 1-0 USA.
Matchday 1 - Group E
Germany and the U.S. collect all three points in their first matches. Senegal are in a big hole with a -4 goal differential.
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