The Germans were a class apart in this match as they went into halftime 3-0. The second 45 was just damage control for the U.S. Starting with the first half, the Germans got on the board just 11 minutes in. Klose played a square ball to Schug who was standing on the top right corner of the box. He made a run toward the end line before playing a ball back to the top of the box for Barnet to blast into the top right corner of the net. 1-0 Germany. After a few more chances, Germany got their second in the 43rd minute. After a poor pass from Pulisic, Schug picked up the ball and was away leading the counter. He played a ball over the top to his striker who got to the ball just before Carter-Vickers and he was through on goal. 2-0 Germany. Just three minutes later Robinson was caught ball watching. Barnet made a nice run into the box and had a shot which was knocked wide by the keeper Horvath. But, with the left back standing still, Meyer tapped in the rebound with his first touch. The U.S. came out in the second half in a more defensive tactic. Germany added a fourth in the 56th minutes. Winger, Buchler, picked up the ball on the right by the center line and used his pace to skip passed Mckennie and put in a far post cross before Robinson could close him down. The ball was inch perfect for Barnet to tap home. After over an hour of poor football the U.S. finally got on the board in the 71st minute. Hyndman played a long ball down the right flank for Pulisic to run onto. He over hit his close, but the German right back headed it back into the box for Harrison to control and bang into the right corner. 4-1. Although the game was lost, Mckennie scored a second goal for his nation. Bradley lined up for a free kick from about 25 yards out. He put in a great whipped ball to the back post and Mckennie was able to outjump his marker.
Matchday 2 - Group E
With Japan and Senegal drawing 2-2, the U.S. now know a win will see them through to the knockout stage. Even a draw should do it as Germany are the heavy favorites against Japan.
A win and we’re through and that’s exactly what happened. We came out the much better side and on the front foot early. Our first real chance came from a cross by Kenny Saief in the third minute. The ball in was met by the head of Christian Pulisic, but he was only able to direct it right into the arms of the keeper. Finally in the 36th minute the U.S. looked to have found the break through from an own goal, which came off the knee of the Senegalese center back. But, the ref blew his whistle and it went to VAR. During the review the ref spotted a push by Bobby Wood and the goal was disallowed. Five minutes later the U.S. got their goal. Gianluca Busio had a shot from 20 yards out, but it was comfortably pushed wide by the keeper. Pulisic picked up the rebound and put in a cross which was headed clear to Busio at the top of the box. He played in Kenny Saief who quickly turned and blasted it into the near post from just ten yards out. Pulisic had another great chance in the 51st minute, but again, he redirected the ball in right at the keeper. After a decent spell of possession by Senegal, the U.S. won the ball after a blocked shot off of Auston Trusty’s hip. The ball rolled out to Saief who began the counter attack. After reaching the halfway line he played a ball to Wood in the center circle. The striker played a ball back to Busio, who played a long ball down the right to Yedlin with his first touch. Yedlin cut in and played a perfect cross to Saief at the back post. He controled it and tried to beat the keeper at his near post, but he punched it out for a corner. From that point on both sides had a few chances, but nothing really of note. The U.S. are off to the Round of 16!
Matchday 3 - Group E
Germany win the group winning each game they played. The U.S. finished second with wins over Japan and Senegal.
Group A - Mali and Mexico make it to the knockout round over David Alaba’s Austria. Austria were only able to collect one point in their matches against the two teams who made it through.
Group B - No surprise to see France top the group without giving up a single goal. Thomas Lamar bagged goals in the 81st and 88th minute against Columbia in the opener. The South American side could not bounce back in their second match as Fabio Silva scored two first half goals before Los Cafeteros who could only grab one in the second 45.
Group C - We see our first upset! Brazil fail to make it out of the Group Stage for the first time since 1966. Brazil just played poorly in their first match and an Ante Rebic goal was the difference. In what should have been an easy win, New Zealand held Brazil scoreless in the second matchday in the group. Brazil had 10 shots on target compared to their opponents zero, but they just couldn’t get one past Atlanta United’s keeper, Jake Gleeson. Brazil had their chance to sneak through to the next round, but an 84th minute winner by Jasper van der Werff saw the Swiss into the Round of 16 instead.
Group D - 35-year old Messi and the rest of Argentina win the group without conceding a goal. England will join Argentina.
Group E - As we know it’s Germany and the U.S.
Group F - As expected Belgium win the group. Ecuador, on the other hand, is a surprise. They beat Denmark and Ghana in their first two matches getting them into the next round.
Group G - Holland finish top of the group after finaling to qualify for this tournament four years ago. Cameron finished second ahead of Uruguay on goal differential. That could be it for the lethal pairing of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
Group H - Good to see Jamaica grab a win. However, it wasn’t enough as Italy and Spain are off to the next round.
The U.S. will face of against the same team they faced in Round of 16 eight years ago. Tim Howard was the hero then making more than one world class save forcing the game into extra time. It was Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku who scored in extra time to see them through in 2014. The United States are looking to reach the Quarter-finals for the first time since 2002 this time around, while Belgium are looking to build on their third place finish last year.
There is some bad news for the Belgians as Edin Hazard will be out of this one after hurting his back against Ghana.
The U.S. are off to the Quarter-finals for the first time in 20 years! It was clear from the moment Belgium announced their starting VI that they were going to sit deep and try to pounce on the counter. However, that didn’t work. The U.S. came out the much better side forcing Courtois into four saves before Belgium could record had their first shot of the match. The U.S. took the lead in the 28th minute. Pulisic switched play with a long pass across the field to Jack Harrison. He turned on the jets with a run down the left before putting in a cross to the top of the six yard box where Bobby Wood out jumped his marker and headed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. In the second half the Belgium woke up and starting to get back into the match. Both Emerson Hyndman and Christian Pulisic where forced off through injury and the U.S. setup with a more defensive formation. Not long after Pulisic limped off the field, the U.S. found their second. Kellyn Acosta put in a teasing ball from a free kick for Cameron Carter-Vickers to head off the post and into the net. Just moments before the final whistle Yannick Carrasco scored a consolation goal before the U.S. ran out the clock. It was a massive win, but losing Hyndman and Pulisic could be just as big.
France escape with a win against Mexico. The Mexicans got on the board first through their wonderkid striker Jose Alfredo Santos (next gen). That was his fifth goal of the tournament as the 19-year old is looking to win the Golden Boot. Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane erased the lead off a corner kick header before Antoine Griezmann gave the defending champions the lead. Just three minutes into the second half Mexcio drew level through Newcastle’s Erick Gutierrez. In the end it was Paul Pogba who scored from the penalty shot in the 113th minute to put the game away. Croatia knock out England for the second World Cup in arrow. This match was all Croatia as they deserved the win. The biggest surprise of the second round has to be Ecuador defeating Germany. Who would’ve thought the last two South American nations left to reach the Quarter-finals would be Argentina and Ecuador? Two European nations in Spain and Portugal knock off two African nations in Cameroon and Mali. And finally, in the battle of two other European nations we see Holland advance over Italy. It was Barcelona's Justin Kluivert who bagged the 87th minute winner.
This will be our toughest task yet. Holland are loaded with talent. Starting at the back, the Dutch have two of the best center backs in the world with Matthjis de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk paired together. In the attack the Americans will have to worry about Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert, Quincy Promos, and Tonny Vihena who are all class talents. The U.S. will be without Christian Pulisic and Emerson Hyndman for the rest of the tournament. To add to that, DeAndre Yedlin will be suspended because of yellow card accumulation. The United States are looking to reach the Semi-finals for the first time since 1930 when only 12 teams participated in the tournament.
This match will go down as an instant classic for sure. With ten men the U.S. were able to soak up wave after wave of Dutch pressure for 120 minutes while stealing a goal. When it looked like the Americans were going to hold out for a win, Holland tie it late. At the start of the match both sides didn’t offer much until an aggressive slide tackle in the 19th minute saw Michael Bradley handed a straight red card. He clearly won the ball, but that did not matter to the referee as he forced the U.S. to setup ‘very defensive’ for 101 minutes. The U.S. did muster up two great chances on the counter with Kellyn Acosta and Bobby Wood both having chances at the top of the box, but both efforts were hit right at the keeper. The U.S. did steal a goal in the 63rd minute. A long ball by Ethan Horvath was poorly controlled by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Bobby Wood picked it off of the center backs foot and he was through on goal. Two touches later and the ten men U.S. had a 1-0 lead. From that point on every highlight was of the Dutch in the attack. A ton of credit must go to Ethan Horvath in net who recorded 13 saves in the match. That equals the record for second most saves in a World Cup match. When it looked like there was no way through the U.S. defense and their star keeper, Horvath, Holland get their goal in the 88th minute. Horvath made a great diving save, but it fell right to the feet of Arsenal winger Calvin Stengs to tap in. Holland hit the bar twice in extra time, but couldn’t find the winner they deserved and it was onto PK’s. After Jozy Altidore missed the first PK the Dutch missed their first two giving hope to the U.S. Eventually, after the Dutch made seven in arrow, Horvath made a class diving save down to his right on none other than Virgil van Dijk to send the U.S. through to the Semi-finals for the first time in the modern era. Absolute sense!
We had a rematch of the 2018 World Cup finals in this round and again France knock out Croatia. It was a pretty even match until Napoli’s Marko Rog slid in late on Nabil Fekir in the 84th minute and the ref handed the midfielder his second yellow of the match. With Croatia sitting back, Fekir found Corentin Tolisso at the top of the box and the Bayern man found the bottom right corner of the goal. In the dying moments of the match Theo Hernadez put the match to bed with a goal from a corner. With a right to play France on the line Ecuador escape with a win in PK’s against Spain. The Spanish only managed to put five of their 25 shots on frame and Perdro Ortiz was equal to all of them. Alvaro Morato, Saul, and Alex Grimaldo all missed their chances from the spot. After reaching the Round of 16 just once before the start of this tournament, La Tricolor are onto the Semi-finals. In the final match, the hero was Lazio winger Joaquin Correa. His two second half goals saw his nation through to the Semi-finals where they will face the U.S. for the second time this year.
The U.S. and Argentina will face off for the third time his cycle here in the 2022 World Cup Semi-finals. It was tbuc’s fourth match in charge when these two nations face off the first time in 2018. On that night Gonzalo Higuain bagged a double as his side won 2-0. The second time they faced off was just three months ago. Not much separated the two on that night although Argentina won the match. We know they’ll line up in a 4-4-2 with Messi and Icardi playing upfront. The United States will be without Christian Pulisic and Emerson Hyndman through injury and after picking up a red card in their last match, Michael Bradley is out as well.
Great stuff to get the US into the World Cup semi-finals there mate! Interesting to see Ecuador as well, would be amazing if that ended up being the final! Best of luck.
First Half: With Argentina the favorites in this one the U.S. came out in a 4-3-3 with two more physical box-to-box midfielders and one defensive minded anchorman in the middle of the pitch. Tbuc hoped this would help balance the midfield with the Argentines run out in a 4-4-2. On to the game, it was the La Albiceleste who had the first real chance. Leo Messi whipped in a low, hard cross from a corner kick which was headed out by Auston Trusty. His clearance was chested down by Cristian Pavon standing in the half circle above the 18 yard box. As the ball fell to his feet he blasted it on goal, but Ethan Horvath pushed it over the bar as he was diving to his left. The ensuing corner kick was won by center back Emanuel Mammana, but it tame and right into Horvath’s arms. The U.S. had the next chance to break the deadline. This coming in the 11th minute. Standing just inside the opponent's half, DeAndre Yedlin played a short free kick to Timothy Weah who turned and made a diagonal run toward the top of the box. He laid it off to Kellyn Acosta who had his shot blocked by the midfielder, Emmanuel Parisi. The ball fell right back to Acosta who quickly dribbled past a recovering Parisi and had a hit from just outside the box, but it was just inches over the bar. Two minutes later Acosta stepped up to take a free kick near the touch line about 15 yards from the top corner of the box. His ball in was header out, but right to Jack Harrison who hit in on the volley. It came off the post with the keeper left standing still! The ball kicked out right to the feet of Bobby Wood who knocked it in from six yards out. 1-0 USA!! Argentina looked to level the scoring in the 17th minute from a great run by Joaquin Correa who had a shot from inside the box, but his effort was right at the keeper who could only palm it wide. The U.S. had two great chances of their own, one from Weah in the 34th minute and another by Harrison in the 37th, but the Argentina keeper was equal to both. In the dying minutes of the first half both sides had another great chance. Weston McKennie was robbed by the crossbar, while Mauro Icardi scored a headed goal, but he was clearly offsides.
Second Half: The first ten minutes were pretty uneventful until the U.S. had one spell of possession which seemed to last an eternity. It started with a lot of sideways passes between the midfield three mixed in with a couple clipped balls in, which were headed right back to the U.S. midfielders. Eventually, McKennie found Weah who was standing near the right edge of the box. He started his sideways run to get by the fullback and then a center back and before the next defender could close him down, the Nantes winger had a hit with his left foot from about 15 yards out and it just crept in right between the post and the keepers outstretched right arm. Just like that it was 2-0 USA in the 57th minute!! Oh what must be going through Messi’s head at that point? With the Argentine's pushing forward the U.S. put the game to bed in the 64th minute. It started with a Messi corner kick headed clear by Tyler Adams. The ball was won by Weah who quickly skipped past a lazy Pavon and the U.S. had a 2-v-2. Weah tried to play in Bobby Wood, but full back Nicolas Tagliafico made a brilliant sliding tackle sending the ball rolled back toward the halfway line. McKennie picked up the ball in the center circle and made a quick one touch pass out to the right wing for Weah to continued his run toward the end line. His over hit cross was headed out by Fabricio Bustos, but it was right to Acosta who blasted it into the top right corner. 3-0. Argentina were on the front foot from that point on, but every ball into the box was won by the U.S. They finally got their goal in the 86th minute from a long distance blast by Santiago Ascacibar. However, by that point it was already over.
The U.S. are off to their first ever World Cup Final where they’ll face the winners of Ecuador and France. Could we see two massive underdogs facing off in the Final? Or will it be the favorites and defending champions up against the gritty United States?!
Ecuador’s magical run has come to an end as France prove to be too much. After VAR awarded the Franch a penalty for a trip on Djibril Sidibe in the box Paul Pogba blasted one down the middle, off the keepers left hand and in. Benjamin Pavard made it 2-0 in the first half after scoring off his own rebound and that was it.
This is it. Against all the odds the U.S. are in a World Cup Final for the first time in it’s 92 year existence. They did finish third back in 1930 when the tournament was first formed and there were only 12 teams to participate. Since that inaugural World Cup nearly 100 years ago the U.S. have qualified ten times in 20 tries reaching the quarter-finals just one time before. Their opponents, France, who have had much better success. They’ve only failed to qualify six times and have reached at least the quarter-finals eight times. This will be Les Bleus fourth World Cup Final where they been victorious two before including just four years ago.
Pre-Match: Building up to the match the U.S. knew they would be without their star Chrisitan Pulisic and deep-lying playmaker, Emerson Hyndman. For France, they’ve been without their injured star striker, Kylian Mbappe from the start of the tournament who missed out via a torn hamstring. With France the clear favorites, the U.S. lined up in a ‘defensive’ 4-3-3 with the same starting VI who march out against Argentina. This was going to be another big test for the young center back pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty who had been bailed out more than a few times by the in form keeper, Ethan Horvath. Outside of the trashing Germany put on the U.S. in the group stage, the Anderlecht net minder had made 27 saves and allowed just three goals in five matches. He would need to be at his best against France. As for the French, they lined up what I would call a 3-5-2 with three center backs, two wing backs, a defensive midfielder, two more advanced midfielders, and two very threatening strikers. After a ten men U.S. side knocked out Holland and a full strength side scored three against Argentina, we knew we were in for a good match.
First Half: France got us underway! However, it was the U.S. who had the first chance which came in the second minute. George Bello put in a cross for Timothy Weah who did outjump his marker, but his header from just a few yards out went over the bar. France’s first effort on goal came from Antoine Griezmann in the fifth minute, but it was nothing more than a tame effort from distance right at Ethan Horvath. The first real chance from either side came in the 18th minute. After receiving a pass on the top right corner of the box from Tanguy Ndombele, Corentin Tolisso put in a low hard cross into the box for Nabil Fekir to redirect on goal, but his venomous effect came off the bar. After DeAndre Yedlin kicked the ball out, the ensuing corner kick was header over the bar by Tolisso and the U.S. survived. France had another brilliant chance in the 25th minute. It was that man Tolisso again who put a cross in the box aimed at Theo Hernandez. With Yedlin pinched in tight, Hernandez had time to control it and have a hit with his second touch. From just a few yards out Horvath remained big and the ball deflected out and right to Tolisso who looked destined to score. However, George Bello slide in at the very last second and got there just in time to redirect the shot. What a heroic piece of defending! The U.S. had two half chance before the halftime whistle drew, but nothing that really tested the keeper.
Second Half: Both sides sat back to start the second half. Kellyn Acosta brought us the first highlight coming in the 54th minute, but it was nothing more than a free kick close to 30 yards out which went wide. Two minutes later the U.S. were robbed by a world class save by keeper, Hugo Lloris. It came from a cross into the box from Bello, which was won by Bobby Wood who stood just six yards out. He directed the cross down and at the near post, but somehow Lloris was able to throw his body down to his right and push the ball wide of the net. What a save. Acosta had a great chance from distance in the 61st minute. He connected was it perfectly, but his shot just sailed over the bar. Ten minutes later, Theo Hernandez had a free kick from just outside the box, but it was hit into the wall. After France missed two golden opportunities in the first half, the U.S. were handed their best chance in the 80th minute. Substitute Cristian Roldan had a go from 35 yards out, but his shot was directed right at Samuel Umtiti. The defender headed it down and to his left right into the path of Jack Harrison. Tolisso, who had been a major threat all match, stuck a leg out to win the ball, but ended up tripping Harrison instead! It was a clear penalty and with just ten minutes left in the match the U.S. looked destined to win the World Cup!! From just 12 yards out and only the French keeper in front of him, Weston McKennie stepped up looking to play hero and have his name written in history books forever. The Newcastle man ran up, took his shot, and it sailed over the bar. Absolutely gutted after watched that. After neither side had a shot on target and we were off to extra time with the score 0-0.
Extra Time: There was only one real effect in the first 15. France had a corner in the 103rd minute, but George Bello bailed out the U.S. with a goal line clearance as he stood his ground standing by the post. Kenny Saief has the best chance in the second 15 from a Yedlin cross to the far post. The Anderlecht winger was in space at the back post, but his header went well wide. From there it was off to penalty kicks where anything could happen! Substitute strikers Anthony Martial and Jozy Altidore converted on their chances while Antoine Griezmann made it 2-1 France. Kenny Saief stepped up looking to make it a perfect two for two for both sides, but it wasn’t meant to be. Lloris stood his ground while Saief went down the middle. Both sides made their next two and up stepped Manchester United’s Djibril Sidibe to win it for France. And that is was he did blasting his effect into the top right corner.
I would call it a very successful 2022 cycle. The U.S. won two trophies includes their very first CONCACAF Nations League victory in the inaugural tournament. In the two CONCACAF tournaments we failed to win, the U.S. finished second. Fast-forwarding to the end a second place finish at the World Cup exceeded even the most ambitions fans expectations.
Weston McKennie led the nation in caps this cycle. He established himself as the leader in the midfielder and with his strong motor and ability to stay healthy, he played in almost every one of the U.S. matches. The tread should continue into the next cycle. Michael Bradley become the most capped U.S. played of all time. Congratulations to him for such a successful career in a U.S. shirt. His ability on the pitch did take a dip in 2022, so this could be it for him. With a second place finish at the World Cup, it’s safe to say he’ll end his international career on a high if this really is it for him. Bobby Wood led the U.S. in goals this cycle with 22. That gives him 32 for his career which is the fifth most all time. He is still the best option up front for the Americans and at 30-years old he may have a couple more years left in the tank.
The U.S. add a center back to their pool in the way of Franco Escobar of Atlanta United. The 28-year old defender, who was born in Argentina, came up through the ranks at his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys where he broke into their first team during the 2015 season. After getting inconsistent minutes over the next two seasons in the Premiera Division, Blanco was sold to MLS side Atlanta United where he’s been a starter for the past five seasons. Escobar has never played at any level for Argentina at the international stage, therefore he doesn’t have to file for a one time switch. I can’t see the Argentine becoming a starter for the U.S., but he is a strong option if there are some injuries and tbuc has to wishes to go for experience over youth.
March 10, 2023
Tbuc has added his second Argentine to the pool this cycle. In comes Franco Escobar’s club teammate, Eric Remidi. The defensive minded midfielder adds more quality to an already deep United States midfielder. Like Escobar, Remidi came up through his boyhood club, Atletico Banfield, where he became a starter during the 2016/17 season before leaving to the States in July of 2018. Unlike his club mate, Remidi should make an immediate impact. I can see him being named in the U.S. starting VI when the Americans line up with a defensive midfielder.
2023 brings us a brand new World Cup cycle. Can the U.S. return to another World Cup Final? That is a question we’ll have to wait four years to find the answer. We do know we have two Argentine, MLS veterans committing their international futures to the U.S., which is very encouraging new to start the new year.
A lot of people have their own options in terms of if the current veterans in the team should get minutes this cycle. After eight seasons in the MLS, Michael Bradley left for Ligue 1 side Caen on a one year deal. He’s started 29 matches this season in France, but has really struggled. It’s clear Weston McKennie and Kellyn Acosta are better options then the former captain, but does tbuc believe Bradley should leave on his own terms? Another name is John Brooks. He was the top option in the middle of the defence for the U.S. this past cycle, but missed out on the World Cup through injury. At this point we know Cameron Carter-Vickers will be the center point of the defense this cycle, but does tbuc stick with Brooks, or go to Matt Miazga or Auston Trusty? Both Miazga and Trusty have struggled for their clubs, however. Miazga join Premier League side Brighton at the start of the 2022/23 season, but has been stuck on the bench only managing six starts and hasn’t impressed in that time. Trusty has been playing in the 2. Bundesliga for the past 3 seasons and has been average at best. Lastly, Bobby Wood and Jozy Altidore’s future could be in question. Wood spend the last cycle playing in both the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga before join MLS side LAFC in February of this year. But, at 30-years old his best years could be behind him. Altidore turned 33 in November of 2022 and it’s clear his form has continuously dipped over the past few seasons. However, who does the U.S. have to replace those players? Timothy Weah is the clear favorite. He spend this season with Ligue 2 side, Nantes and has played extremely well scored 17 goals. Behind him is a major question. Josh Sargent was an extremely promising young talent who is yet to plan out. The striker join Werder Bremen in 2018 and has only managed three appearances off the bench in that time. This term he has been with the Werder II team in the 3. Bundesliga scoring five goals in 26 starts. 28-year old Jordan Morris has had a strong MLS career and could be the top option right now. Lastly, Haji Wright just joined the MLS after failing to break through with Schalke after seven seasons there. He’s still only 24 and could be a strong candidate if he proves himself stateside.
What we do know is Ethan Horvath and Zack Steffen will be the top two options in goal. Left back George Bello has really come along way over the last four years. During the 2018 season, when the last cycle started, he was a 16-year old playing for the Atlanta United reserves. Now he’s a starter for Bundesliga side Stuttgart. DeAndre Yedlin, Tyler Adams, and Josh Emmanuel are the top option at right back. In the middle Weston McKennie, Kelly Acosta, and Emerson Hyndman are the favorites while Gianluca Busio and Efrain Alvarez push for a spot in the team. On the wings Jack Harrion and Chrisitan Pulisic are excelling for their clubs and should continue to see minutes on the pitch for the United States.
Even though it’s a meaningless friendly four years away from the next World Cup, the U.S. call in a pretty strong squad. Alex Bono is called in to replace the 32-year old Bill Hamid. Bono has one cap to his name which came before tbuc took over, but the keeper was called in once under the current head coach back in 2019. DeAndre Yedlin misses out with shin splints. Tyler Adams remains in the team with Blackburn’s Josh Emmanuel. Emmanuel was called in a couple times by the U.S. last cycle, but only managed to find time the pitch for the U23 team. He decided to test his luck with the Nigerian national team before again elected to represent the U.S. He looked set to make the World Cup roster before a back injury kept him out. John Brooks misses out to Justen Glad. Brooks is healthy, but at 30-years old, he really doesn’t have to prove himself at this point in his career. Gianluca Busio and Efrain Alvarez both find themselves on the roster. Busio played well during the World Cup and should be a regular at this point. Alvarez was the odd man out last year. This season, at club level, he’s had his first breakout season with Anderlecht scoring six goals and adding six assists. Jonathan Amon will lineup on the left wing while Joel Sonora will play on the right. Out goes Kenny Saief and Darlington Nagbe. Up front Bobby Wood remains in the team, but Jozy Altidore misses out. Jordan Morris places the Toronto FC strikers place.
e got our first match of the new cycle out of the way with a 2-0 win over fellow CONCACAF side, Haiti. The match saw Josh Emmanuel and Eric Remedi handed their first U.S. caps in the victory. Jonathan Amon bagged both the goals in the match. They were the first two of his international career. He’s had a very successful career in the Danish Superliga up to his point, but had been overlooked on the left wing in favor of Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Saief to this point. The South Carolina native proved he deserved another chance. Josh Emmanuel had a very impressive debut. He’s been stuck behind DeAndre Yedlin and Tyler Adams in the pecking order, but was handed his chance in this match. With Yedlin injury prone and aging, Emmauel proved he can step in with no problem.
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