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- Aug 30, 2015
Was refreshing to see a USMNT coach use tactics to gain competitive advantage last night opposed causing self-inflicted disadvantage.
I don't know why some US media are calling the formation a 3-4-3, looked clearly like a 5-4-1 with Pulisic coming central as a target in transition. It wasn't perfect, we took away Mexico's possession through the middle but in doing so completely surrendered the spaces on the outside.
Yedlin and Beasley were getting some criticism defensively but they were pretty much dealing with permanent 2v1's situations on the wings for 90 minutes. Arriola and Pulisic didn't offer enough cover in front of those two, Pulisic's looser role in the structure and responsibilities as an outlet partly excuse him but Arriola has to provide more defensive coverage on the right side.
The three CB also didn't slide quick enough or far enough laterally for me but I'd expect the spacing and reaction on balls circulated to the flanks to improve with additional experience in this system. We pretty much concede possession by default with this system but it's definitely good to have it in the bag as a strategy going forward.
Major props to Bruce for starting Kellyn Acosta too, that's why you play the kids in high pressure environments, throw in the fire and see what both heads are made out of. Acosta didn't shrink, actually grew in stature as the match went on, and by the final whistle looked like he'd walked that path a hundred times before. I doubt Jermaine Jones ever gets his job back.
I don't know why some US media are calling the formation a 3-4-3, looked clearly like a 5-4-1 with Pulisic coming central as a target in transition. It wasn't perfect, we took away Mexico's possession through the middle but in doing so completely surrendered the spaces on the outside.
Yedlin and Beasley were getting some criticism defensively but they were pretty much dealing with permanent 2v1's situations on the wings for 90 minutes. Arriola and Pulisic didn't offer enough cover in front of those two, Pulisic's looser role in the structure and responsibilities as an outlet partly excuse him but Arriola has to provide more defensive coverage on the right side.
The three CB also didn't slide quick enough or far enough laterally for me but I'd expect the spacing and reaction on balls circulated to the flanks to improve with additional experience in this system. We pretty much concede possession by default with this system but it's definitely good to have it in the bag as a strategy going forward.
Major props to Bruce for starting Kellyn Acosta too, that's why you play the kids in high pressure environments, throw in the fire and see what both heads are made out of. Acosta didn't shrink, actually grew in stature as the match went on, and by the final whistle looked like he'd walked that path a hundred times before. I doubt Jermaine Jones ever gets his job back.
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