We're going to cover a lot more of the USMNT versus Grenada game, but I wanted to throw that headline out for a reason. The USMNT has no permanent head coach, general manager, or sporting director. With that in mind interim head coach Anthony Hudson has gotten a commitment from Alex Zendejas and seems to be tracking to secure the International future of heralded Striker Florian Balogun. He also brought in a young group mixed in with a couple of veterans and important dual nationals to the January camp, and didn't have anyone up in arms about the Nations League roster this month.
Add to that Ricardo Pepi said before the game that Hudson allows them a lot more freedom in how they play and it showed in the 7-1 win over Grenada. Which is the main story line for me from Friday night's fixture is how many times over the years (not just the Berhalter era) have we seen "lesser" teams on the road in CONCACAF sit back in a low block and the US struggle to find a result?
Not in this game; the US were on the front foot early and were clearly targeting the left side with Pulisic and Joe Scally. A fourth minute cross from Pulisic found Ricardo Pepi who had a brilliant finish to get the scoring started off. Grenada came out attacking the young US back line and nearly tied it in the 7th minute, but the US stayed persistent in their attack down the left side of the field. In the 20th minute Pulisic finds Brendan Aaronson at the top of the six yard box and Aaronson makes one move and shoots pass the keeper for a 2-0 American lead. The US were not done however, in the 31st minute Pulisic delivers a set piece from the left side. McKennie skies for the ball which goes back up, then he lands and fires a left footed over the shoulder strike to make it 3-0.
However the Spice Boyz almost immediately get one back going down their right side and finding a cutter who zipped one past Matt Turner. It was definitely the worst moment of defense for the US and was shockingly similar to the Memphis Dupay goal in the World Cup. Just a couple of minutes later Pulisic delivers another set piece to Auston Trusty who heads one over to McKennie who sinks it for the first half brace.
The story of the first half was Christian Pulisic looked like the world class player that he is. Joe Scally was playing perfectly on the left side with Pulisic as well. It was great to see Aaronson and Pepi get on the score sheet. Aaronson has had a tough season at Leeds and Pepi coming off the World Cup snub, it was just good to see everyone clicking. Auston Trusty was great on the ball and other than the one defensive lapse it was nearly a perfect half.
In the second half the US came screaming out of the gate with Reynolds attacking down the right side who found de la Torre who then hit Pulisic who got to bag a goal to go along with his three assists on the night to make it 5-1 US. The next scoring sequence was a beautiful line breaking pass from de la Torre to Ricardo Pepi who got his brace. Pepi looked attack minded like we hadn't seen him with the National Team in a long time and it was refreshing.
At the 56th minute Yunus Musah and Daryl Dike came on for McKennie and Pepi, the pair who had a brace each on the night, then Zendejas became cap tied for the US when he subbed on for Pulisic in the 63rd minute. That substitution window also saw Taylor Booth make his international debut as he came on for Gio Reyna. Reyna didn't have any dramatic impact on the game, but it was good to see him on the field with his fellow countrymen following all of the post World Cup drama.
Alex Zendejas made his skill and presence known early and made a great strike for the States' 7th goal of the night. Aaronson connected with Zendejas again but the Grenada keeper made a good stop. Daryl Dike was in the right spot when he was in the game, but didn't get many touches of the ball.
My general reaction to the game is all positives. Auston Trusty looked like he may overtake both Zimmerman and Aaron Long on the depth chart. He has good pace, he is great in the air and he is noticeably more comfortable with the ball at his foot than either of the MLS defenders. Bryan Reynolds looked really good, especially in the second half when he was attacking more. Joe Scally looks like a fullback that has logged nearly 2,000 minutes in the Bundesliga this season. As much as I want to see Tyler Adams improve with the ball at his feet he is still one of our most important players defensively. As much depth as the US has at nearly every position these days, the number six spot is still Tyler Adams and then Kellyn Acosta in my opinion. Yunus Musah could definitely fill-in in a pinch.
Up top there is so much talent and depth for this US squad. You're going to have to make a really strong case to not see Pulisic and Zendejas as the two left forwards and of course you have the Weah, Reyna, Aaronson and now Taylor Booth ensemble on the right side.
We will see how El Salvador plays out at home and of course you need to factor in whoever and whenever a sporting director and general manager are hired for the USMNT, but you can't convince me that Anthony Hudson doesn't at least deserve a fair look and consideration for the head coach of the national team right now. His roster composition, style of play and recruitment are enough to make him a serious contender for this cycle, and I think that it drives home the point that you do need a fresh set of eyes moving forward.
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