Following Friday’s defeat against Costa Rica, the U.S. Men’s National Team faces a vital World Cup qualifier against Honduras on Tuesday night.
The USMNT lineup features seven changes from Friday’s match, including Brad Guzan in goal while Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler enter at centerback. Jordan Morris and Clint Dempsey join the fray at striker while Kellyn Acosta anchors the midfield and DaMarcus Beasley replaces Jorge Villafana at left back.
Back at it! 🇺🇸 Introducing your #USMNT starting XI for #USAvHON.
Lineup notes » https://t.co/nAQo1s7aT6 pic.twitter.com/kE7PvZ2QSq
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 5, 2017
For those looking for some pregame reading, check out the SBI Pregame Tailgate for a look back at the past few days. The match will be shown on beIN Sports USA.
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.
Oh wait. Just replaced the backs? 3 Man back? I’ve got no sound on my universo.
Yup. Three at the back now with Arriola and Acosta out wide.
We got a new formation!
oh man… still got zusi
can the usmnt break down anybody? Their playing kickball out there.
Where is bornstein when you need him?
I know the grass is tall and slow but 90% of balls in air. No one trying to win battles in air. Immediate change needed or we lose.
MLS has ruined the USMNT made it easier to stay home and not challenge yourself. Real lack of technical ability in the MLS career players. I think we can start worrying about soccer in the US now
No changes to start the half? Brutal.
When Cherendolo abused Milner in 2010 he was pulled in the 31 minute.
thast’s why promising the world by 2018 was always such a farce to anyone paying attention my friend
57 Tele lol thanks for that
maybe a free kick can breakthrough, winning chances with that. on holding the ball too long, most egregious was Nagbe, really had a stinker of a half
I think the players just aren’t really that good. Maybe Klinsmann wasn’t the problem as many post here. This looks like the team that lost in CR. Not sure what to do but better get FJ in at one of the outside fullback position so we at least can come close to matching speed. Probably for Zusi I think.
And another thing, Our decision making isn’t any good either. I remember once when we had the ball in the final third and there was a big gaping hole in the middle of Honduras’ defense. You would think a US player might have run into that space to create a dangerous chance. Wrong. Too many times the US players held the ball too long, too, killing opportunities. Once again, not enough movement off the ball, poor positioning and not nearly as much effort as our opponents. Pathetic.
Can agree with this point a bit. The choices in the final third haven’t been good. Seems like Pulisic has been the only one making the right calls with the balla t his feet.
Nagbe was wide open twice on the far side of the box after two of Pulisic’s runs because the entire defense was sucking over to cover, but nobody was looking over there.
At least Bradley is playing with a lot of hustle… I’ve been saying it over and over, since Jermaine Jones was out of the squad this team has played with no bite and zero urgency
Fabian for Zusi, Arriola for Nagbe to start 2nd half for me
Nagbe out, playing with cement legs it looks like. Too much space given in the final third by him and both wingbacks, just not closing space effectively. The same issue with playing out of the back remains re. the midfield opening up and showing for the ball and holding play thru the middle. last game Cameron and Ream tried to force balls to guys who were not open. Gonzo has been excellent in his decision making and has played some sweet balls over the top that deserved shots on goal. The Zusi matchup is dangerous, Gonzo over there covering to compensate
Are these really the best defenders we have? I thought BA was some master tactician. Why are we playing two 80 year old converted-midfielder outside backs against the two most dangerous players Honduras has?
To Zusi’s credit, he looked good against Costa Rica, but Honduras’ pace is next level. Very apparent that he doesn’t have the speed for this type of game. If only the U.S. had a right back playing in a top league who did… Makes you wonder.
Needs to be Zusi out. Johnson in. Not sure about Acosta. Not adding any value right now.
Wood in for Clint. Need a bruiser/clinical finisher in the box
Except for CO, the American side was total crap. Played with ZERO passion. Can’t wait for this entire generation to fade away and get replaced with players who show up ready to represent their country. This is just crap.
Well, we did the one thing we absolutely couldn’t afford to do–get caught out and give up the first goal. Our best hope may be to get a second yellow on one of their players who has a card. We are so much better than they are, this shouldn’t be happening. If they lose this, as far as I’m concerned, they shouldn’t bother to come home.
Physically outmatched. Can’t impose skill. Had a few half chances but no real heart in the final 3rd. Defense can’t handle the speed when exposed 1v1. Not even close.
Also Fabian Johnson needs to come on for Beasley.
What are your big takeaways from that first half? Who’s your first sub? Feel free to fire some questions and comments my way while we wait for the second half to begin
Zusi and Bradley off. Zusi because he is terrible and Bradley to send a message.
Going to say it now that there is ZERO chance Bradley comes out, and he isn’t to blame for this so far. Bradley didn’t whiff on the clearance. Could his long ball sbe a bit better? Sure. Could he try and play it on the ground a bit more? Sure. But you’re going to need him out there in the second half.
With Panama playing T&T, US will likely be out of the playoff spot by the end of the night without a better second half. I thought 1998 was as low as the USA could sink in the post-1990 era, maybe I was wrong
Just getting completely outplayed. If we can keep the ball on the ground we can get opportunities.
When Pulisic gets the ball down the wing.. duh. He looks super dangerous. Just no hunger for the goal from the receiptients.
I mean really.. Bruce didnt know/see that speed matchup? Its the worst run right by you I’ve seen in a long time.
Dudes, I’m still at work and THIS SOUNDS VERY OMINOUS!
Last two minutes better from USA. Ugly first half.
That didn’t last long. Should be 2-0 but for huge Guzan save.
Welp – Playing Zusi and not Johnson is as big a coach blunder as you can make. At least I wont have to hear Klinsman was an idiot morons anymore.
Where is Captain Bradley? Needs to prove he deserves armband.
Bruce arena????
Some of you all in the comments need glasses and mental help. Calling for Howard to be pulled who is way better then Guzan. You all called for the Besler and Gonzalez pairing, it has been straight trash. ??✌?
I think I’m glad Fubo TV is down.
Glad for hydration break. We need to get our stuff together asap.
Craaap, are we actually not going to make the World Cup?
Hopefully we can beat fifth place Was in team in playoff.
Asian autocorected to “Was”. Lol.
Replace Zusi now!
Lucky to not give another there, this could get ugly
The Gonzalez apologists are laughable at this point. How many times have I/we said: Gonzalez is good for one serious blunder per match? Not surprising, it often results in a goal against.
What the heck was Omar doing. Clear the ball into upper deck.
Just slid for it and missed. Totally misjudged it
US getting out played bad, even before the goal
Wow. A yellow card shown to Honduran.
Took 3 minutes for CP to get stomped with no yellow card.
That’s just going to be life for him for the next decade. Going to have to get used to it.
Nice start.
About what you’d expect so far. Both teams cool with going long because the field isn’t very good. Good stuff from Pulisic so far, despite the early foul.
Any info on referees? Other than they will be the usual Concacaf horrible.
El Salvador for three. Fourth official is from Guatemala.
Kickoff and we’re underway in Honduras!
2′ Early burst from Pulisic before some sustained Honduras possession. Both teams very content with the long ball early.
3′ Headed down by Dempsey and Morris slides one towards the backpost, but it’s just a bit wide.
9′ Absolute battle with Morris and Figueroa produces a corner. Morris nods it down, but it’s cleared.
10′ Some crosses for Honduras but none threaten Guzan, who finally claims a bouncer.
11′ Referee letting EVERYTHING go today. Pulisic gets bodied out of play, but no call.
12′ Volley for Bradley but it’s blocked away.
14′ Great work from Nagbe and Acosta. The FC Dallas midfielder with a great cross to the back post, but it’s just cleared away ahead of Dempsey .
17′ Yellow card for Honduras’ Claros for a flying tackle on Dempsey.
20′ Beasley lofts one high and wide before Pulisic dusts his defender. Dempsey gets hit in the box a bit, but referee doesn’t see anything in it. Probably the right call.
23′ Another card for Honduras as Figueroa hacks Dempsey. Absolutely a card.
24′ Shot be Elis is saved by Guzan. Fairly simple save, but a decent chance for Honduras.
25′ Zusi having a tough time with Elis, and the Dynamo winger gets by him again. Beasley gets beat by Quioto, but he recovers with a diving header. Saved a goal, but took some punishment there.
27′ GOAL HONDURAS! Gonzalez and Zusi exploited for lack of pace, and Quioto curls one to the far post past Guzan. Brutal for the two defenders, and a fantastic finish from Quioto. 1-0 to Honduras.
31′ Zusi is getting ROASTED for pace time and time again. Need to fix that in a big way. Everything coming down the wings.
34′ Foul on Besler in a dangerous area.
36′ Professional foul for Beasley, who rips down Elis to prevent a break.
40′ Great work from Pulisic, but no one there to help. Eventually, it gets to Nagbe, whose curler doesn’t bend in time and soars out for a goal kick.
41′ Chance for Pulisic, but Lopez gets down to push it away. Much better from the USMNT.
44′ Foul on Acosta gives Honduras another dangerous free kick. Shot is rocketed towards the corner but Guzan gets to it.
HALFTIME: 1-0 to Honduras through a Quioto goal. Calamity at the back strikes again for the USMNT. Very few memorable moments in the attack, but they all came with the ball on the ground. Improvement needed in a big way.
Second half is underway.
52′ Lozano with a shot, but it’s an easy save for Guzan.
56′ Makeup call for the USMNT as Pulisic is brought down, earning the foul.
62′ Subs coming for the USMNT. Arriola in for Beasley. Cameron coming in. Looks like a switch to three at the back
Yup, Cameron for Zusi. Three at the back now.
74′ Best chance in quite awhile for the U.S. as Dempsey fires a volley across the box that’s cleared away.
I only get Univsion station. Good news is I don’t have to listen to Twellman idiotic commentary.
Not Maybe, “Nagbe”. Darn autocorrect.
haha Don’t think you have to worry about Nagbe playing centerback. Expect him on the left.
Goal.com line up is crazy. Shows Maybe as center back and Beasley on left outside mid. Possibly a 3-4-3?
Obviously can’t tell until things get underway, but would expect this as a 4-2-3-1. Acosta and Bradley deep, Dempsey between Nagbe and Pulisic and Morris leading the line.
Just about 15 minutes before kickoff. Any predictions? I’m going to say a 3-1 U.S. win. Dempsey brace and one from Pulisic. If the U.S. can score first, they should be golden.
What sticks out at me more than anything else since the last game is that the US lacks a goalie getting regular minutes in a bag for league since before the days of Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel. Timmys best days are behind him and presuming we qualify, it’s time to start breeding the youngsters for the big time
There’s definitely a major gap in experience at the moment. Guzan/Howard both more than experienced in these games but, like you said, their careers are pretty far along. The generation of Hamid/Johnson just didn’t break through early enough and never got experience in these types of matches. I wouldn’t fully trust either of them as much as I would Howard/Guzan in a match of this type. Horvath is obviously the next one to watch, especially if he keeps improving with Brugge.
Big four league… Thanks, Siri!
Good evening all. Big night for the USMNT, and some big changes to the USMNT lineup. Heavily MLS-based with just Pulisic and Gonzalez playing outside the U.S. league.
Interested to see how it plays. Could be a straight 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1. Could even shift to a 4-3-3 if needed.
What do you guys think of the lineup? Who needs to step up tonight?
Big game for the two up front. USMNT going to ride the Sounders chemistry. First road qualifier for Morris, who will be asked to run and run hard. Dempsey will need to bring his craftiness to the table. Could be an ugly game tonight given the conditions. If U.S. can score early, would work wonders.