The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Canada in their recent match, exposing a multitude of flaws and raising serious questions about the team’s direction. While the entire team struggled, some players performed particularly poorly, highlighting the need for significant changes.
Goalkeeper
- Matt Turner: 5/10 – Turner had a mixed performance. He made a few decent saves but also made some costly errors that led to goals. His distribution was also shaky, contributing to the USMNT’s struggles in possession.
Defense
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Antonee Robinson: 4/10 – Robinson was consistently overrun by the Canadian attackers. He struggled to defend crosses and was often caught out of position. His attacking contributions were also limited.
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Miles Robinson: 4/10 – Robinson was equally culpable for the USMNT’s defensive woes. He was slow to react to danger and made several costly errors. His passing was also inaccurate.
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Aaron Long: 5/10 – Long had a slightly better performance than his defensive partners, but he was still far from his best. He struggled to deal with Canada’s physicality and was often beaten in the air.
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Sergiño Dest: 4/10 – Dest was ineffective going forward and struggled to contain the Canadian attackers on the left flank. His decision-making was poor, and he often gave away possession cheaply.
Midfield
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Tyler Adams: 5/10 – Adams was one of the few USMNT players who showed some fight. He worked hard defensively but struggled to create chances going forward. His passing was also inconsistent.
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Weston McKennie: 4/10 – McKennie was a major disappointment. He was sloppy in possession, gave away the ball cheaply, and offered little in terms of creativity. His defensive contributions were also limited.
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Luca de la Torre: 5/10 – De la Torre was one of the few bright spots for the USMNT. He played with energy and purpose, but he was unable to make a significant impact on the game.
Forward
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Christian Pulisic: 5/10 – Pulisic was isolated for much of the match and struggled to make an impact. He was unable to create chances or score goals, and he was often dispossessed by the Canadian defenders.
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Haji Wright: 4/10 – Wright was ineffective as a lone striker. He struggled to hold up the ball and was unable to create chances for himself or his teammates.
The Need for Change
The USMNT’s performance against Canada was a disasterclass. The team’s defensive frailties, lack of creativity in midfield, and inability to finish chances were all exposed. It is clear that significant changes are needed if the USMNT hopes to compete at the highest level.
One area where the USMNT could benefit from a shake-up is in the coaching staff. Jesse Marsch has struggled to get the team playing at a consistent level, and there is growing discontent among fans and pundits.
Many believe that the USMNT needs a more experienced and tactically astute coach. Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager, has been linked with the job and could be a good fit.
Pochettino has a proven track record of success in European football and is known for his ability to get the best out of his players. He could bring a new energy and a fresh perspective to the USMNT.
The Road Ahead
The USMNT faces a crucial period in their history. The team must make significant changes if they hope to compete at the highest level.
By making changes to the coaching staff and the playing squad, the USMNT can begin to rebuild and regain the confidence of their fans. It will be a challenge, but it is a necessary one.
The future of the USMNT is in their hands. It is up to the players, coaches, and staff to make the necessary changes and ensure that the team is ready to compete at the highest level.
