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USMNT vs. New Zealand: SBI Live Commentary

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The U.S. Men’s National Team returns to the field on Tuesday for one final friendly before the start of the Hexagonal.

Following Friday’s 2-0 win over Cuba, the U.S. returns to RFK Stadium for a match against New Zealand. Following a series of roster changes, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side will look significantly different as competition heats up for roster spots heading towards the Hex.

Regulars Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and DeAndre Yedlin return to the lineup, while Kellyn Acosta, Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco slide in the defense. Following a standout performance against Cuba, Julian Green joins the starting XI once again, while William Yarbrough earns the start in goal.

The SBI staff will be offering updates and analysis in the comments section below, so feel free to follow along, and as always, please feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions below.

Enjoy the action.

Comments

    • He was horrible. Twellman even pointed out his failure to move off the ball. He whined his way into yellow card for dissent. One decent play in 88 minutes does not make a good game.

      Reply
      • “One decent play in 88 minutes does not make a good game.” – PJS090

        One critical Twellman comment doesn’t make a bad game.

        And I pointed out two decent plays in my last post.

  1. Does anyone have more context to the Nagbe situation? Twellman said Nagbe’s absence was due to his desire to spend more time with his family. Twellman sounded confused as to why someone would want to spend time with their family rather than be with the USMNT. Did Nagbe have a decent reason why he wanted to be with his family instead?

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    • How do you think our outside backs have looked tonight? Have they shown themselves as viable seconds to the current starters (i.e. Yedlin and Fabian)? Where do you think Chandler stands in comparison to these two?

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      • Think Johnson/Yedlin are pretty far ahead. Think Acosta certainly has a lot to offer, but hard to keep yo-yoing between midfield and LB. Chandler also in mix due to versatility.

  2. Why does ESPN continue to have Ian Darke on USMNT games? He is annoying as hell; but for some reason, people seem to think he’s great because of his stupid commentary during the South Africa World Cup. “Go Go USA!” — what a lame call that was. Isn’t there an American play-by-play guy good enough? Heck, I prefer Bretos over Darke. Would England have an American announcer during their national team games? Think about it.

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  3. The U.S. was starting to find its footing even before Green scored the opener, but going up 1-0 has helped the Americans settle in in a big way.

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    • Agree. U.S. definitely the better team over the past 20 minutes or so. Kljestan settling in after a quiet start, while Green has been fairly active down the left. New Zealand defense, and Winston Reid in particularly, been fairly strong, though.

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  4. Some really poor touches and decisions from the U.S. early on. Gonzalez made two errors in the opening 60 seconds. Orozco has had a couple bad plays, too.

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    • At least not as bad as England which practically gifted 2 goals to Slovenia because of stupid, errant back passes. They were b ailed out by Joe Hart.

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    • Yarbrough tested again in the 9th minute. Get hit going up to claim a cross. No call, but assistant does raise his flag for a handball. Nervy moments early.

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    • It’s a 4-3-3
      Green-Altidore-Yedlin
      Sacha-kitchen-Bradley
      Acosta-Bes-Omar-Orosco

      Klinsmann being Klinsmann. He plays Yedlin as a forward instead of playing him at right back and using one of our young attacking options.

      Reply
      • I can understand Klinsmann’s logic a bit. Yedlin has been played on the wing during his time at Newcastle, and may genuinely become a winger at some point. But, like you said, would have liked to see Arriola or Agudelo. You pretty much know Yedlin/Orozco at this point. Think the other two deserved a start.

      • yeah, it’s ridic. My only thought was that he wanted to start only his more recent known quantity guys for the first half. I was hoping we were trending towards less of this nonsense from Klinsmann

      • Think Klinsmann is looking at potential options against Mexico in the second half and Yedlin as a winger is something he’s more familiar with at this point than Arriola or Gooch. Could we see this system against Mexico, but with Pulisic and Bedoya on either side of Altidore in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1? It’s possible

      • Ives/Ryan, So who is the right back against Mexico? Orozco? Chandler?

        Or do you think Yedlin starts at RB but moves up in the case they are down a goal?

      • Still would think Yedlin is at right back when the Hex starts. More solid wing options than solid fullback options. Bedoya and Pulisic would be out wide in my XI.

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