Concacaf Nations League Final - USA up 2-0 at half vs Canada
As the title says, the USMNT is currently up 2-0 at half vs a pretty good Canada side.
Chris Richards with the opening goal in the 12th minute off of a nice corner from Gio Reyna. I think the Canadian keeper should have saved it though. The ball travelled under his left arm before going in. Still a good job by Richards rising up and getting the header down with power on goal.
2nd goal was from the run of play. A quick breakaway found Gio Reyna with the ball at his feet with multiple options in front of him. He chose to lay a nice through-ball to the recently Americanized Folarin Balogun who rifled it past the keeper using his first touch. Those of us that pay attention to the USMNT are used to that shot being fired either directly at the keeper or completely off target, so it was nice to see a good finish for a change. Hopefully Balogun can be consistent in that regard.
Besides the goals, the US has been pretty powerful. Not a lot of chances for Canada. They had a couple near the end of the half but all were dealt with by the US. A very strong showing so far. Let's see if they can finish the game.
Streaming on Paramount Plus if you have access to that.
An unfortunate note:
Just before the half, Gio Reyna came up limping after a challenge near the sideline. Luca De La Torre has been brought on to finish the game for Gio. Hopefully it isn't anything serious. Gio has been a magician with the ball at his feet during these last 2 games.
Team looks much more promising with Gio in that attacking midfield role.
Im agnostic about GGG coming back BUT I can understand the fan apprehension - when you look at these past two games it seems criminal that Gio played as little as he did in the WC.
Apparently that was for disciplinary reasons, not for his level of play. That was the story of the World Cup for the American's and its a big reason why the Reyna's essentially blackmailed Berhalter.
I'm not a big fan of the Reyna family at the moment. I may not have high hopes for Berhalter but they did him dirty by bringing up something that happened 20 years ago and everyone, including his wife, has moved on from. Beyond petty.
Berhalter has a conservative style and plays his favorites. There is no way Berhalter should have been playing his favorites like Jesus Ferreria over Gio or Pepi in the World cup.
With Berhalter we lose to Canada or barely beat Mexico. Even Callahan is a better coach with his aggressive tactics and destruction of Mexico and 2-0 victory over Canada.
That’s not true - Reyna was loafing in a scrimmage because he was told he wasn’t going to feature much…before the first game…all the “disciplinary “ stuff came after he was told he wasn’t going to be playing.
edit - this is in response to Notaduck
But why do you say that to Reyna. You don't know injuries, you don't know how far you are going to go. It was dumb on Gregggggg's part.
Plus we just saw Gio was the best player on the field yesterday. Berhalter is known as a loyalty style manager. He plays people who kiss his ass. He plays his favorites rather than the best 11. No way Gio should have been sitting. No way Pepi should’nt have made the team over Ferreria. This “loyalty” mentality is why so many players publicly expressed their support prior to his return, just so they could be in his good graces if he did return. Not oe criticism. But look at the players faces on the sidelines when playing for Berhalter vs any other coach. It tells a different story.
Everyone knows Gio should have been playing. I disagree with his parents but when everyone knows your kid should be playing and you’re dealing with a coach that has a power management style rather than a meritocracy, your only option is to counter with a power move. I disagree with both
I have three problems with Berhalter. 1st tactically he is over his head in Europe. 2nd, he plays a conservative defensive style which will win the games they are supposed to but will crumble vs better sides. Third he will play those that kiss his ring rather than the best 11. What a stupid decision (though I understand they were forced into it because they couldn’t recruit anyone better).
Less interesting than the other night for a number of reasons for sure but a win is a win...
Also Paramount+ is dumb. I just watch with the spanish-language broadcast on Univision which is much more entertaining even if I only pick up 20%.
Agreed. Even though Canada is clearly a better team than Mexico right now.
At least Gio is smiling on the sideline / in the celebrations... so hopefully not a big issue.
You can tell on the sidelines the players love Callahan.
U.S. squad really coming of age here. Going to be a fun next few years. I haven't always been excited by Berhalter, but he nursed this side, and its serious resolve, to this point. Probably deserves the chance to carry them through.
Or held them back
U-S-A! U-S-A!! U-S-A!!!
Excellent half by Gio, unfortunate that he took a knock. Hope he recovers quickly.
Re 1st goal: a ball headed down to the ground makes for a tough save, especially when it's so close to the goalie's side. Also not much time for him to see he isn't going to intercept the ball in the air, as it's going down at a steeper angle.
THE BAD BOYS OF CONCACAF
Go (Red White &) Blue!
Upvoted the OP for his excellent use of football lingo, especially "side"
The team is really coming into its own. I am not sure what the central defense looks like if/when we become a truly elite side, but the talent at midfield and forward looks really strong. The counter with Reyna, Pulisic, Balogun, Weah and Dest is something to behold, and that's a style that works on the international stage.
Pretty tough to watch these last 2 matches against our toughest CONCACAF opponents and get excited for Berhalter to come back.
Gio's play has made it clear that this squad is better with him in it & Berhalter's decision to not start him & tell him that he will barely play in the World Cup looks worse & worse as time goes on.
Excited for Fol, the way he used his body & pointed out the pass for Gio is the type of thing that has been missing from the striker role & his press was excellent as well.
The shortcomings continue to be in the back & while the US escaped with clean sheets there were quite a few dangerous chances from Canada (not so much for Mexico) that could have changed the score line dramatically. What Canadiens saw from David & Larin is what we are used to seeing from our attackers, dangerous moments blasted over the net without worrying the keeper. Do we have any Balogun type decisions out there for some big CBs??
Last I have to mention Scalley because his inclusion made me nervous but he was in the right place all night long & basically shut down Davies attack all night so huge props to him
I think Robinson at CB would have made a big difference instead of Zimmerman. He was sorely missed at the World Cup. The US probably doesn't draw with Wales if he plays. Robinson and Richards are the future of the CB position for the team.
Scally is a solid fullback and can play on the left or the right. He's young and I believe he currently starts for Borussia Monchengladbach, an upper level German club. He's a great third option to have at that position. He doesn't provide as much offensive ability as Dest but he's a better defender. If not for Dest's offensive capabilities, Scally would be a no-brainer at RB.
edit: I also think Cyle Larin flubbed his chance early in the game. A better striker probably scores there, or at least forces Turner to make a difficult save.
I was surprised Scally looked good. He can only get better.
Zimmerman is good for at least one or two give aways per game that often lead to goals.
Robinson would have been a big upgrade.
Davies vs Scally was interesting. Thought Davies had a pretty poor night actually, blasting shots over the top on the regular and his first touch was failing him a bit. Also a sign of respect they played him at outside back vs forward where he plays vs a lot of teams for Canada. I assume to counter Weah's speed on that flank.
Very interesting night without Adams, Dest, McKinnie, and even sitting Miles Robinson and they outclassed Canada by a margin.
Musah didn't do much offensively but he did a lot of work defensively which is not his normal spot.
Either Gio or Pulisic are always hurt it seems - can't keep them healthy at the same time. Pulisic was rather quiet last night (a beast v Mexico) and still the US dominated most of the match.
Exciting summer; Gold Cup next - unfortunately Gregg will be have the likes of Jordan Morris out there this fall and into 2024.
Balogun draws attention away from Pulisic to free him up more. Canada and Mexico cant defend both well.
I know this has been discussed in the past, but can someone remind me why the Nations League has become the priority for the USMNT and the Gold Cup has more or less been pushed to the side (aren't they taking a B team to the Gold Cup)?
This is pure speculation from me, but I think it has to do with the quality of teams they face in the Nations League vs Gold Cup. The Gold Cup has teams like Martinique, Curacao, Guatemala, etc. The Nations League (at least the semi-final and the final) have teams like Canada and Mexico. You want your best guys available to play against top competition. The Gold Cup is nice and all, and it is important to win, but it can be won with B and C team players. The US won it with their B team last time while Mexico brought a good chunk of their A team.
Example: the US will play Jamaica (last in WC qualifying last cycle), the winner of St Kitts and Nevis vs French Guyana (BLEH), and Nicaragua in the group stage. If the US doesn't win all 3 games with their B team I will be shocked. All 3 could be blowouts.
CONCACAF is just a weird amalgam of the 3 large countries in North America and then tiny island countries, many of which soccer isn't their favorite sport anyway (cricket / baseball).
Mexico has looked like shit for 2+ years now. We aren't going to know anything about this team until the 2024 Copa America.