I will admit my headline is a little bit of a bait and switch from what I'm going to blog on today. The US took the field yesterday in East Hartford, CT against a German side who have had a dip in form recently, but have looked better under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. First I want to give a big props to Connecticut for having such a great crowd show up to a game in UConn's college football stadium. I'm a firm believer in moving games around our expansive country. Not every game needs to be in Ohio, Missouri or Orlando (though I do love most of these places).
From a lineup perspective we put our best foot forward against the European giants. It was arguably as good of an eleven as the US can field minus maybe CCV (who would come off the bench in the second half), Jedi Robinson and Tyler Adams.
From very early on the game was wide open. There were scoring chances on both ends and the game was moving up and down the field quickly. It did get to showcase our athleticism and individual skills. Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Pulisic and Flo all had moments of individual brilliance in the first half, highlighted by an absolute banger of a 27th minute goal from Christian Pulisic.
Germany tied the game up just before half and then put it away with two second half goals. Both goals came from tight places, maybe should've been cleared and the US missed chances. The big missed chance was a Yunus Musah header that went just high off the top post off a Pulisic corner kick. Ultimately the US couldn't find the back of the net in the second half, and we have our first loss with the "A" team since the Netherlands game at the World Cup.
I have a couple of big takeaways from this match. First and foremost we really missed the brilliance of Antonee Jedi Robinson. Every outlet with a keyboard or microphone has highlighted how large the gap is between Jedi and every other left back in our player pool. Dest was a competent replacement, and Joe Scally while underwhelming at times, were both competent fill ins. Scally needed to have more confidence with the ball at his feet. Every time he touched the ball he was looked to get rid of it to the closest teammate as soon as he could. If he had played with the same confidence he plays with in the Bundesliga I think it would've made a difference for the US.
Tyler Adams is just irreplaceable in games like these. His defensive presence can not be replicated by anyone in this player pool, and I think the game is completely different with him playing.
The tactics I actually appreciated. I think with this group the ability to let them get up and down and showcase their skills and abilities are going to be a huge asset over the next couple of World Cup cycles. I think if Tyler Adams is there you can play wide open against a team like Germany because he can get back defensively and put fires out and reset things. My issue is that in his absence you have to play more "Berhalter ball" against a team as skilled as the Germans. Sit back, try to find openings and limit Germany's chances on the break. Coaching a national team you have to be tactically flexible. When we're playing most CONCACAF opponents you need to be pushing play forward and setting traps to lure the defenses out to get openings for our skilled young players. Against Germany, Brazil, or France especially without Tyler Adams, you probably need to sit back and play some old school American soccer.
I'm excited for the Ghana game this week as they are no slouch and will be a great test. Looking ahead to the international calendar I'd like to see the US play more African teams, and more road games in general. I would try to get Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt, Columbia, Peru, Paraguay and Chile on the calendar between now and 2026 to help challenge and prepare for the World Cup.
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