Call it a soft opening – a very soft opening. The US men’s team on Sunday night ushered in what promises to be an eventful and crucial 2021 with an easy mission and an emphatic victory, a 7-0 win on an improvised team from Trinidad and Tobago that was barely on the pitch.
Featuring a mix of seasoned and aspiring Olympic players, US coach Gregg Berhalter saw his team establish their obvious superiority a few seconds after the opening whistle. After three weeks of confrontation during January camp training in Florida, Americans clearly had an appetite to defeat an unknown opponent. The United States were ahead by two goals after 10 minutes at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando City and almost achieved an easy victory.
It will be more difficult to move on. Berhalter hopes to score a pair of friendlies in Europe in late March, when MLS players may be prevented from playing (if not, they will be in the preseason). At the same time, American sub-23s will compete in the Olympic qualifiers in Mexico. Games become progressively more important. In June, the first final of the Concacaf League of Nations takes place. In July, the Gold Cup takes place and, in September, the road to Qatar begins with the first three World Cup qualifiers.
It is difficult to say that Sunday’s game prepared someone for this, but it certainly seemed fun to the hosts, and the men who reinforced the national team’s statistics sheets certainly enjoyed the evening. Here are three thoughts from the US dress rehearsal for a critical year.
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Berhalter sends another message that the Olympics are important
There is still some concern that the Olympics will not happen, but if they do, American football desperately wants to be in Japan. The under-23 Americans have lost the last two tournaments and, this year, to increase their chances, Berhalter and the sub-coach 23 Jason Kreis conducted an unprecedented camp in January, which saw the two teams mix. More than two-thirds of the players invited to camp in Bradenton, Fla., Were eligible for the Olympics.
Although several were sent home before Sunday’s game, Berhalter still formed a team with six U23s, along with five senior players. It was a clear message – giving some potential Olympic taxpayers some extra international spice was more important than beating Trinidad by one or three more goals.
Three-quarters of the defensive line (Miles Robinson, Aaron Herrera and Sam Vines), the midfielder (Jackson Yueill) and two-thirds of the three strikers (Jesús Ferreira and Jonathan Lewis) were U-23, and had the same factor for the victory like your older teammates. Vines, the left-back, was an especially dynamic contributor, with the US moving away in the first half, taking advantage of opportunities to advance and make several excellent passes that broke lines or created good looks for others. His quick and quick cross in the second minute defined the Americans’ first goal.
Yueill was a solid organizer in front of the back and displayed good discipline. And Lewis and Ferreira (see below) were especially active and attacked with confidence. Each scored his first two senior international goals. Robinson also scored his opening goal in a close-range header early in the second half.
At halftime, recently eligible midfielder Andrés Perea, replaced Sebastian Lletget. Perea recently applied for a permanent move to the US, after representing Colombia at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. He was whistled for a penalty on a high kick on 65 minutes, but goalkeeper Matt Turner, in his US debut, saved Alvin Jones.
Ferreira returns Berhalter’s faith
Son of former MLS MVP David Ferreira, Jesús seemed on his way to stardom a year ago, after a debut season of eight goals with FC Dallas, with his first cap for the first time in his victory over Costa Rica in February past. But 2020 was a difficult year for many and a difficult one for the young striker. He scored just one goal and one assist in 20 games for the FCD.
However, Berhalter continued to see something in the 20-year-old and invited him to this month’s camp. On Saturday, Berhalter announced that Jozy Altidore, the third highest scorer in USMNT history, would be prevented from playing against Trinidad as a precaution, suggesting that a change from Toronto FC would be possible for the veteran. This left the door open at the center of attack for Ferreira.
“Jesús made his debut last year in January for us and we think he did an excellent job,” said Berhalter this week. “He continued where he left off at this camp. He did a good job, so we know what Jesús brings – very good drop down, very good connection game, very good initial defensive pressure, and so in the big area he is very calm and can finish his chances. “
Ferreira demonstrated everything that Berhalter pointed out in a historic performance that ended with two goals and three assists. At Lewis’ opening in the second minute, Ferreira ran to the crossroads of Vines and after cutting his own shot angle, he was conscious of giving Lewis an easy finish. On the ninth, Ferreira opened his US account with a submission for the first time in a Vines cut-back.
DC United veteran Paul Arriola scored his first goal on the night of 22, after Ferreira made a pass into the area, tied the goalkeeper and a defender out and then returned the ball to Arriola. Ferreira armed Arriola again at 41, with a well placed header, then scored his second goal at 61st, with Arriola returning the favor and finding Ferreira in the penalty area. Ferreira’s skillful left foot touch and right foot finish were the perfect crown for his performance.
“Since we started working with him last January, we have felt very good for him and a great impression and idea of what he could do with our system. We cannot control what happens at the club level. We really can’t. For us it is still having faith in a player, believing in a player, and we look forward to bringing him back to camp in January, ”said Berhalter. “He gives us a lot of options and a lot of flexibility, and we really like how he works for us in an advanced position.”
Ferreira left at 64, making room for Chris Mueller, from Orlando. He impressed in a still uncertain position for the USA, making good decisions in the area, getting involved in the formation and finishing multiple chances. He must be prepared to help the U-23 in March.
“I think coach Gregg had an idea for us for this game. We had a long camp of trying new things, trying to get to know each other, and as you can see in the game it worked,” Ferreira told FOX after the game. “We all set it up today.”
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The pandemic continues to wreak havoc, even after games resume
Trinidad should not be Sunday’s opponent. The original plan was to bring Serbia, whose junior varsity team (this friendly was not played during a FIFA window) would still have presented a much more difficult challenge. But visa and travel problems prevented Serbia from coming, so the Soca Warriors were a last-minute replacement.
Berhalter’s team had already faced lesser opposition in December, when El Salvador barely showed up for an ad-hoc friendly that ended with a 6-0 decision for the Americans. Trinidad was even worse. But he had every excuse – no matter how many obstacles the pandemic put in Berhalter’s path, it is nothing compared to the devastation it caused in Trinbagon football.
The national team, led by new coach Terry Fenwick, had not played any game in 14 months. The national league has been closed since the pandemic struck in March. Some players don’t have clubs and many haven’t played any games for almost a year. Fenwick brought 13 uncapped men to Orlando, and only three had reached double digits. It showed and it was difficult for both sides. The game featured breakwaters in the middle of the two halves, a move made in deference to the visitors. Trinidad offered no threat and was defeated, and the United States was stuck in an exercise that was probably less costly than most of its practice sessions in Florida. The visitors had no defensive chemistry, but they didn’t seem interested in playing deep and packing.
“I feel bad for Trinidad. … These are all things, they are the consequences of the pandemic and things we will have to get used to and adapt to, ”said Berhalter before the game. “It will be good for them to start with a game. My expectation is that they have some fitness problems. I think this is normal, based on them not playing, the national championship or being active ”.
It is difficult to argue with Berhalter’s calculation – a game is better than no game. But it is also difficult to imagine what the Americans won on Sunday night, in addition to some practice of celebrating the goal.
“You can only play against your opponent on the pitch,” said Berhalter. “And what I really liked about the guys was the focus and the intensity. After three weeks of training, with a relatively new group, a young group, it is good to be able to see these elements on the field of play against a real opponent.
“We know that [Trinidad] it was not a team of the caliber of the qualifiers for the World Cup, depending on who had it available ”, he continued. “But even so, it was nice to see the team’s focus.”