Top Stories

SBI USMNT Man of the Match: Darlington Nagbe

FRISCO, TX - MAY 25:  Nagbe Darlington #10 of the United States celebrates with Christian Pulisic #17 of the United States after scoring against Ecuador during an International Friendly match at Toyota Stadium on May 25, 2016 in Frisco, Texas.  (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

It took awhile for the U.S. Men’s National Team to find an offensive rhythm on Wednesday night, but Darlington Nagbe’s inclusion in the second half provided the Americans with a much-needed spark.

After being thrust into the lineup at halftime by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the Portland Timbers midfielder put in an excellent shift against Ecuador. Nagbe scored the game’s lone goal in the 90th minute, guiding the attacker to SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors.

The goal was Nagbe’s first in a USMNT uniform, and the game winner couldn’t have come at a better time for a side that managed just two shots on target all evening. Bobby Wood’s cross was perfectly chested down by Nagbe before he volleyed his effort home to give the U.S. the 1-0 victory.

Nagbe’s performance earned him honors as SBI USMNT Man of the Match over DeAndre Yedlin, Bobby Wood and Michael Bradley.

What did you think of Nagbe’s performance? Which player stood out to you on Wednesday?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Hopefully last night’s performance presages Klinsman’s understanding that his best midfield has Bradley as the 6 and Nagbe as the 8-10. Jermaine wasn’t great as the 8 last night but presumably the 3 of them will get the Bolivia start together.

    Reply
  2. Nagbe’s performance was hugely encouraging. Would also add that Brooks and Yedlin looked to be in absolutely peak form. Hardly a foot wrong from either…

    Reply
  3. Bradley gives you everything beckerman does at the 6 plus more speed, better vision, and an ability to make accurate long passes that can spring attack oppertunities. All of that combined with the other options in the attacking midfield make it mandatory that Klinsman start Bradley at the 6.

    Reply
  4. Nagbe is a more complete player than Beckerman and seems to have unlocked Bradley and Jones to play the positions for which they are best suited. That’s a fully realized midfield. Add a front line of Pulisic, Dempsey and Wood and we may just be on to something special. As for the defense, Yedlin looks like a honest to goodness solid English first division soccer player, Brooks has matured well, and Fabian Johnson is basically unimpeachable. There is a lot to be hopeful for here — pieces are falling into place. We may have a team rather than a collection of parts.

    Reply
  5. Pulisic is about to turn 18, or just did. He played like a man, like a WC veteran. That boy is goiong to go many, many miles in a US jersey. Nagbe was sweet, relaxed perfection. 33/33 on all of his passes?!! Often calmly dribbling around defenders, turning the field 180 degrees and then playing tight, precise give and gos, or spaying balls into the midfield with sextant and compas. And, all of the commentators (English, American and Hispanic) say it, all of the knowledgable fans here on SBI say it, maybe Jurgen and Bertie Vogts will agree, FINALLY – Bradley is a perfect number 6 – a box-box D-mid, that is his natural and most gifted position on the field. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Don’t put legs on a snake!
    Good things ladies and gentlemen, good things, good things. Good things are coming.

    Reply
  6. Nagbe was 33/33 passing. And re: Ecuador’s subs, the first sub came at 60′. Though the late subs did effect the game, the US possession and energy changed with Nagbe and Wood at halftime before the Ecuador subs.

    Reply
  7. Nagbe instead of Zardes, and Bradley playing deeper made all the difference. It also must be noted that Ecuador suffered when they made substitutions. Please please JK, keep Bradley as the #6. I’m now convinced we’re better off with any of Jones, Nagbe, Bedoya, Zusi as attacking midfielders.

    Reply
  8. Some wiz pull up Nagbe stats? I seriously think he had 100% passing accuracy. Everything he touched lead to a pass at a teammates feet and almost all of those were going forward. Bradley has a partner to build from the back with.
    Possession with a purpose to perfection!

    Reply
    • Not sure if this will open as an image or not?
      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjWXAoDVAAA4Klj.jpg:large
      Anyway, to further reiterate a point of possession vs creativity. Many fans scream for creativity in the USMNT attack and what they need is possession. Most of all building possession in the defensive third and moving the ball into the offensive third of the field. So many positives with field players who are comfortable on the ball. Starting with Brooks and eventually Cameron, both are comfortable with the ball at their feet and capable to get into the attackk. Close outlets like Bradley and Nagbe can hold the ball and move it quickly with a dribble, pass, or quick combo passes with each other. Add in FabJohnson on the left you have three capable talents on the ball with foresight for moving the ball up the field. The next link up of players like Wood and Pulisic as a target or attackers you have quality offensive team players willing to distribute or attack the goal.
      Creativity is not possible when you don’t get much of the ball and usually results in low percentage passes and eventually turnovers. Putting a lot of pressure on the entire team to defend and work harder to win the ball back. Too often the USMNT tries to play quick with low percentage/creative balls coming from players who lack quality but make up for it in hustle chasing the ball because they give it up so often. At all levels you can quickly see players who do not want the ball or not confident with possession. They receive the ball going away from the defenders and opposite the angle to be at an advantage. Or their first touch is always to create space away from the defender and hope they can out race the defense for the ball. Rarely receiving the ball with momentum going at a defender or attacking open space/channels with the ball at their feet. Passing charts can quantitate players and team tendancies but most expose a players ability to successfully move the ball. You can list names of the duds on the roster but put a player who moves the ball accurately and all of a sudden some of the duds look pretty good, yet still not great.
      JK, has to be elated with new tools who can play in multiple spots on the field. Interchange, overlap, attack, possess, pass, dribble, run, and apply a high futbol IQ.

      Reply
    • No way Bradley had people to pass to because he wasn’t standing stationary in the midfield letting someone cover him like he did to Brooks and Beckerman in the first half. Ecuador also dropped off their high press in the 2nd half, whether they were tired, conserving, or worried by the US attack who knows.

      Reply
  9. Darlington played very well tonight, moves better without the ball than the other midfielders especially those not named Pulisic. He was able to find space and linked well with FJ, Wood, and later Pulisic. Benefited from the tiring Ecuador defense. Interesting to see if he can build on it for the next game. He can be up and down for Portland.

    Reply
  10. I’m not usually a fan of zusi, but did anyone else think he looked really quick tonight? Also looks like he dropped 10 pounds. Can’t wait to see Pulisic play more.

    Reply
  11. Loved that he played so well centrally and seemed to partner well with Bradley behind him. Jurgen shouldn’t be able to ignore what we all saw.

    Reply

Leave a Comment