Posted by This international break marked the first anniversary of the Americans’ failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Since the shock loss to Trinidad and Tobago one year ago, the United States are yet to hire a permanent head coach. Although the United States Soccer Federation deserves criticism for failing to hire a new head coach, they have done well to organize high-level friendlies for the National Team in recent months. This trend continued over the last week, with the Stars and Stripes coming up against World Cup sides Colombia and Peru. Even though the results were not the best (a 4-2 loss to Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Peru), the matches revealed a lot about how different systems and players can help the U.S. (or not) going forward. Here are some of the winners and losers from this past international break for the United States:
Winner: Michael Bradley
Bradley was one of the most criticized players in the wake of the U.S. debacle against Trinidad and Tobago. As team captain since the 2015 Gold Cup, Bradley was targeted as a symbol for American regression following his move from European powerhouse A.S. Roma to MLS side Toronto FC. Nevertheless, Bradley comes out as one of the big winners from these last friendlies, as his ability to maintain possession in the midfield against Colombia was clearly lacking and sorely missed when he was on the bench against Peru.
Like the rest of his fellow midfielders and defenders, Bradley was overrun by a high quality Colombian attack in the 4-2 loss in Tampa. The former Borussia Mönchengladbach man struggled to contain James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado when they cut inside, as the U.S. midfield was bypassed with ease.
However, the U.S. missed Bradley’s composure in possession against Peru. Starters Will Trapp, Kellyn Acosta and Marky Delgado failed to keep the ball for the U.S., as Peru finished with 69% possession. The lack of attacking control made it more difficult for the Stars and Stripes to push their defensive block up the field and exert a high press on the Peruvian backline. As a result, the Americans spent much of the match camped inside their own half.
Although he will be 35 by the time Qatar rolls around, Bradley’s experience could prove invaluable to a callow American squad. 12 of the 22 members of this squad had 5 caps or fewer. With his two appearances during this international break, Bradley now has 142 caps for the United States, putting him alone for third most all time, ahead of Clint Dempsey. The next head coach, whoever that may be, is likely to include Bradley in his thinking.
Winner: Josh Sargent
Ever since that fateful night in October 2009, when Charlie Davies was involved in a car crash that effectively ended his national team career, the Stars and Stripes have been looking for a forward who is more well-rounded than habitual starter Jozy Altidore. Although Altidore has been productive in American colors, with 41 goals in 110 games, he provides little more than solid hold-up play and a strong physical presence.
However, it seems that the United States has finally found a forward capable of unseating Altidore as the starting national team forward. Even though he received just his 4th and 5th caps during this international break, Josh Sargent was the Americans standout player during their match against Peru. In addition to scoring the opening goal with a tidy first-time finish off a set piece, Sargent demonstrated in flashes that he has the ability to provide as well as score. He turned an attacking throw-in into a chance for Acosta in the 27th minute against the Incas, receiving on the half-turn just outside the box before flipping an inventive ball through to the Colorado Rapids man with the outside of his right foot. Sargent then set up Tim Weah for a chance in the 47th minute, laying the ball back after executing a Cruyff turn inside the box that left his marker sliding helplessly past him.
In addition to his encouraging performances on the field in these two matches, Sargent received further good news on the club front. Florian Kohfeldt, the head coach at Sargent’s club Werder Bremen, said two days after the Peru match that Sargent will no longer be playing exclusively for the under-23 team. The Missouri native looks set to make his Bundesliga debut sooner rather than later.
Winner: Aggressive Approach
In an effort to combat their relative lack of technical ability compared to world soccer superpowers, the United States has traditionally favored a conservative tactical setup. The Americans have long played with a lone forward and a massed defense, usually aligned in two banks of four, when they play against more skilled teams.
Although this strategy was effective in helping the Americans qualify for the knockout rounds of the World Cup in both 2010 and 2014, it seems that Sarachan is experimenting with a change in tact in the wake of the failure to qualify for Russia 2018. The first half of the Peru match saw the Americans camped in their own defensive third for long stretches, with lone forward Sargent unable to get adequate service.
However, Sarachan made changes at halftime, instructing his defense to set a higher line, and his forwards and midfielders to pressure the Peruvians when they had the ball in their own half. These tweaks helped the Americans gain a foothold in the match before they took the lead through Sargent. Furthermore, Sarachan put on another forward to accompany Sargent ten minutes into the second half, when Julian Green replaced winger Jonathan Amon. Although the Americans conceded a disappointing equalizer against Peru, their best spell over the two matches came when they adopted a more aggressive approach.
Loser: Antonee Robinson
Left-back has long been a problem position for the United States. Players such as Jonathan Bornstein and Greg Garza have tried and failed to make the position their own in recent years. During his tenure, Sarachan has put his trust in Antonee Robinson. The Wigan man, who received his first cap in May against Bolivia, started in recent glamour friendlies against France and Brazil.
Robinson received another start in the Americans’ match against Colombia. However, he produced a dire display, constantly getting caught out of position as Colombian right-back Santiago Arias got to the byline at will. Robinson was also burned on Radamel Falcao’s winning goal, as he was held off too easily by Carlos Bacca after Colombia had cleared their lines from an American corner. Although he showed some promise in attack, assisting Acosta for the 1-1, Robinson’s defensive deficiencies were too glaring to be ignored.
Robinson’s poor night against Colombia was compounded by the solid showing from fellow left-back Ben Sweat against Peru. In just his second cap, the New York City FC man defended well, keeping the dangerous pairing of Luis Advíncula and Andy Polo quiet. At just 21, Robinson is likely to keep receiving opportunities with the Stars and Stripes. However, he cannot turn in many more performances like the one he produced against Colombia if he hopes to establish himself as the undisputed starter at left-back.
Loser: Andrija Novakovich
Novakovich came into this international break as the form forward in the national team setup. Last season, Novakovich was the second-top scorer in the Dutch second division with 19 goals in 35 games. He has done even better so far this season, scoring four goals in eight Eredivisie games for 15th-placed Fortuna Sittard.
In a squad that didn’t include Altidore, Novakovich’s imposing physique (he’s 6’4) and good form looked set to give him an opportunity with the national team. However, Novakovich played only 11 minutes over the two games, coming on in the 84th minute of the Colombia match for Julian Green. Sarachan clearly prefers Bobby Wood and Sargent over Novakovich, and playing time will be even harder to come by for the former Reading academy player when Altidore is brought back into the fold.
Loser: Brad Guzan
After sitting for the Colombia match, Guzan started in goal against Peru. Although he was not tested much, Guzan looked shaky when called upon. The former Aston Villa net minder stumbled as he received a back pass from Cameron Carter-Vickers in the 6th minute, and was only able to scuff the ball a few yards in front of him before Reggie Cannon hoofed the ball clear.
Besides struggling with the ball at his feet, Guzan showed questionable decision-making in key moments. It looked like he could have come and claimed Andy Polo’s near post cross in the 86th minute, which bounced across the six-yard box before being turned in by Edison Flores for the Peruvian equalizer. Even though Zach Steffen gave up four goals against Colombia, he is 11 years younger than Guzan, who will turn 38 a few months before Qatar 2022. With Steffen reportedly attracting interest from Championship side Bristol City, Guzan is not the clear starter in goal going forward.
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