The Rondo: Assessing the USMNT – What can we learn from the 2-0 win over Japan, did Folarin Balogun win the striker job and what are the World Cup ramifications?
GOAL US writers evaluate the state of the USMNT after a 2-0 loss to South Korea and subsequent 2-0 victory over Japan
So, there's improvement from you. The USMNT were battered 2-0 by South Korea on Saturday. Suddenly, their fixture against Japan seemed massive. Must-wins don't really "exist" in friendlies. But if they did, Tuesday night in Columbus is what it would look like.
And for the first time, Mauricio Pochettino coaxed what felt like a performance out of this USMNT. Sure, there were the caveats of the fact that Japan generally played a B team. But the U.S. won comprehensively, controlling the ball when they had it and the spaces when they didn't. A 2-0 win was the final scoreline, but few would have been surprised by four or five based on the caliber of performance.
There were a few keys to this all.
The first was a switch in formation. Pochettino went to a back three, which offered much improved balance to his side. The second was a complete showing from Christian Pulisic, who played his best with a lovely assist and countless big moments. And perhaps the most important was the . The U.S. were on it from the first minute. Japan never really got into the game, something the hosts made sure of.
What can we take from all of this? Are the improvements a stroke of fortune against a lesser opponent? A false dawn ahead of tougher games to come? Perhaps a bit of both. Either way, it's encouraging, which might be enough.
GOAL US writers break down the 2-0 win over Japan in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesHow encouraging was the win over Japan?
Tom Hindle: Pretty encouraging, without being world-changing. The USMNT showed that they can play in a different system, dominate an opponent, and, crucially, look pretty steady defensively. Sure, Japan rested the majority of their top players, but this was a good display that will open up further tactical options in the future.
Ryan Tolmich: So, yes, there's an obvious caveat here with Japan rotating their squad, but this is less about scoreline and more about the eye test. Aesthetically, the U.S. played a much better game, one with clearly-defined roles and ideas that, ultimately, did produce a win. The key wasn't necessarily the result, but how they got there. It offered a glimpse into the way forward, and that was much better than what we saw against South Korea.
Alex Labidou: Encouraging is the wrong word. Needed is the right one. Context is key, and yes, it's important to note Japan heavily rotated their squad. But considering the amount of backlash for Pochettino and his team, there are likely a few exhales by U.S. Soccer right now. As big as the win was, the way the USMNT secured it might be the most important factor. The team played a three-man backline and played with some gusto, as opposed to waiting for the first punch. More of this, please.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesIs Folarin Balogun the nailed-on No. 9 now?
TH: He always should have been. When everyone is fully fit, the USMNT don't have a striker who comes close. He scored 20-plus goals in a big-five league in his early 20s, and has been held back by injuries since. But he's twice the player Josh Sargent is, and a fair bit ahead of Ricardo Pepi, too.
RT: In pencil, not pen. Balogun probably has the highest ceiling of any USMNT forward but, in a striker race, ceiling doesn't matter nearly as much as goals. With Pepi's return imminent, Balogun isn't the only contender in this race. But Balogun's showing was great news for the USMNT, who could head into the World Cup with multiple strikers they can trust after struggling with that very problem during the last cycle.
AL: Nailed-on is probably a stretch, and Pepi might have a few things to say here. But Balogun showed the skillset that made him such a highly-coveted recruit a few years ago. He was clincial in his chance, but more impressive were the things he was doing off ball. Silky with his runs and pressing when needed, he’s likely the most complete striker in the pool – when he’s healthy. That’s still a big if, considering his track record.
Getty ImagesShould Pochettino switch to a 3-4-2-1 full time?
TH: It really depends on the opponent. The system doesn't necessarily get the best out of everyone – where the hell does Weston McKennie fit here? – but as a default, for a solid 90 minutes, it's certainly an option. And options are a good thing.
RT: Absolutely, yes.The system is perfect for the pieces Pochettino has at his disposal. Given the lack of wing depth and the abundance of wingbacks, this system puts this team's most dangerous players in places where they can create the most danger, which is the whole point of a tactic, isn't it? Sure, more experimentation is needed and, of course, things can change by the summer. But right now, this makes too much sense.
AL: Roll with what works. No more need for tinkering – until it doesn’t work.
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Getty ImagesWhich World Cup outsiders made their case?
TH: Ehhhh. Did anyone prove that they should be there full time? Tough to say. When it comes down to it, Pochettino will probably go with talent over a couple of decent showings in friendlies. But Max Arfsten and Alejandro Zendejas might have played their way into the team, which is never a bad thing.
RT: The two wingbacks, Alex Freeman and Arfsten, should now feel pretty good about solidifying backup roles. If the U.S. does stick with this system, both seem capable of contributing not just on the road to the World Cup, but at the tournament itself, should one of the starters be unable to play. While starting spots seem pretty far out of reach, both can certainly play their way onto the plane, particularly if the U.S. continues with these tactics.
AL: Zendejas was participating in just his second USMNT camp under Pochettino. For a team that doesn’t have much depth in width, it is inexcusable that the Club America winger hasn’t been more involved.