The United States advanced to the Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Iran. The team’s beautiful goal scored by Christian Pulisic was enough to see them win the match. After Sergino Dest’s cross, Pulisic himself threw the ball in and scored the goal and then collided with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and Brenden Aronson had to withdraw in the first half. From there, the team managed to maintain its solid defensive form even with Cameron Carter-Vickers starting in place of stalwart defensive tackle Walker Zimmerman. The team was unable to score an insurance goal that allowed pressure from Iran late on, but a single goal was all they needed to advance.
Next will be a confrontation with the Netherlands on Saturday 3 December and they He may not have Pulisic Or Josh Sargent for that game after both left with injuries. Sargent in particular will be worrisome because Haji Wright hasn’t looked like a striker for the national team, but Jesus Ferreira hasn’t scored after a minute of game time during this World Cup. But despite injuries – and a poor performance by Shaq Moore – the team went deep and got the job done to reach the last 16 for the third time in the last four World Cups.
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It’s an emotional moment for the team after missing out on the 2018 World Cup, but it’s important to remember that the job isn’t done. The offense went flat when Weston McKennie left the field unable to continue against the Netherlands when Cody Gakpo was lurking but the building blocks are there to bring them down as the defense has not allowed any goals from open play during the World Cup so far.
Here are some points obtained from the match
Pulisic force
The USA have been great starting matches during the World Cup and this match was no different. Antonee Robinson and Dest were leading easily but Sargent and Tim Weh were unsuccessful at the end of their service. But Pulisic shot just enough to score. McKinney started it from deep with a great pass, and we saw the best of Dest as he moved forward and played an excellent headed cross for Pulisic. Nothing stopped him from putting the ball into the net, including the Iran goalkeeper.
While Pulisic left with an abdominal injury that sent him to the hospital, wing depth is something the USMNT has quite a bit. Gio Reina has been used sparingly during this World Cup, but if Pulisic can’t go he will be needed against the Netherlands as one of the few unpredictable players in the squad. Aronson was a good choice to seal things out in order to offer defensive guile and stabilize things but to start a match in the knockout round, Reyna would be the way to go.
US depth is a concern
It was this match that exposed some of the marginalized players in the team. Shaq Moore had to put up his hands a few times to tell me my bad when he got hit on the wing but Zimmerman and Carter Vickers were there to clean things up. If Dest can’t go 90 against Holland then it’s time to move on to another teenager in Joe Scally because the team knows what they have in Moore and he’s just not good enough at the moment. Experience is important if Moore is going to be a deep option going forward, but it’s hard to count on him now.
The same goes for Haji Wright, who did not provide enough leadership. Late in the game, Wright had the opportunity to dribble into the corner to effectively end the game, but instead he goes for a shot that gives Iran possession on the field. Another day, a VAR review you caused might have resulted in a penalty. Jesus Ferreira didn’t play a single minute during the World Cup, which is surprising because he did during the qualifiers but he needs to start on Saturday if Sargent can’t go. Ferreira does a lot of the same things to draw in defenders making room for the wings in attack and that will be needed as Holland have not been disciplined defensively during this World Cup.
Credit is given when due
Greg Berhalter made some massive calls during the World Cup. Not only with Zack Stephen and Riccardo Pepe off the team but also with Sargent, Ream and Matt Turner starting. All three were a big part of why the team is in the last 16 at the moment plus Carter-Vickers surprisingly in the squad against Iran. While the job wasn’t finished, Berhalter’s plan was in place during the World CUp and he’ll have more calls if Pulisic and Sargent can’t go.
The final ranking of the second group
|
England |
3 |
2-1-0 |
9 |
2 |
+7 |
7 |
|
United State |
3 |
1-2-0 |
2 |
1 |
+1 |
5 |
|
Iran |
3 |
1-0-2 |
4 |
7 |
-3 |
3 |
|
Wells |
3 |
0-1-2 |
1 |
6 |
-5 |
1 |
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