Friday night’s performance was a special one. It was a do-or-die match, one which would all but determine whether or not the U.S. Men’s National Team had a chance at Russia.
From the opening whistle, there was absolutely no doubt when it came to how the match was going to end. It was going to end in a USMNT win, and it was going to end up as one of the biggest and most important results in team history.
Seemingly everything went right for the USMNT. The tactical decisions were spot on, while Panama’s weren’t. The players stepped up from the first few touches, leading to a lopsided 4-0 win.
There was a lot to take in on Friday and a lot to take away. Here’s a look at some of the big lessons and moments from the USMNT win:
CHRISTIAN PULISIC.
What more is there to say? In a match where the USMNT needed a big performance, the team’s youngest star did something special.
It wasn’t just the stats. Christian Pulisic’s goal and assist were both incredible efforts, moments that showed his skill. The stats were great, but it was the effort, the confidence and the leadership on display that truly shined through.
From the first touch of the game, there was no doubt Pulisic was here to play. He was going to be unstoppable, no matter how much Panama hacked him.
That was leadership, and that was probably Pulisic’s best performance in a USMNT shirt in Hexagonal that has seemed full of those types of efforts.
IGNITING THE USMNT ATTACK
Pulisic will earn the plaudits on Friday, but it would be unfair to call the rest of his teammates a supporting cast. Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola starred in their own right, leading the way in a game that got out of hand quickly.
Altidore provided the goals with Pulisic and Wood doing the work leading up to them. Pulisic’s assist on the first was sublime, but was so was Altidore’s run. And let’s not move past that Panenka penalty, which was an incredible decision in a big moment that all but ended that match.
Then there was Wood, who earned that penalty before firing a goal of his own to add to Panama’s misery. Wood’s work-rate was something special, and he could have had several more goals on a different night.
Overall, the work-rate of Wood and Arriola helped Pulisic and Altidore thrive. It was a team effort and a team win that saw several hands carry the load in the attack.
PANAMA’S NAIVETY
Panama has built a reputation on strong defending and physicality. On Friday, they came out in a formation that took away their strengths.
Rather than playing with one striker and relying on a stout defense that allowed just five Hexagonal goals heading into Friday’s match, Panama emerged with two forwards. The 4-4-2 formation left no one in the pocket to watch Christian Pulisic, and he made them pay.
Pulisic was repeatedly able to drive at the slow-footed backline, causing problems all through the first half. Without the midfield numbers to watch him, Pulisic created havoc, allowing Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood to run around into open spaces and create havoc of their own.
On the road, Panama’s naivety cost them. Instead of relying on what got them there, Los Canaleros tried to be something they weren’t: an open, attacking team. In the end, that decision could be what keeps them out of a World Cup.
YEDLIN PROVIDES MAJOR BOOST
DeAndre Yedlin has gotten immeasurably better since moving to England. On Friday, he proved it once again by showing just how vital he is to the USMNT.
Yedlin was back in the starting lineup on Friday after missing September qualifiers, and the difference was night and day. His pace was vital in stopping several Panama counters. He made several big tackles and one a few headers in the box. Overall, he was rock solid and he added a different dimension to the USMNT defense.
No disrespect to Graham Zusi, but Yedlin is on another level. He’s an absolute no-brainer for the starting lineup going forward, and that’s a good option to have for the U.S. going forward.
CREDIT FOR ARENA
All through the week, Bruce Arena showed confidence. He didn’t speak about what ifs or doomsday scenarios. He said he expected the U.S. to win and take care of business.
They did just that, and he deserves credit for everything that went into Friday’s win.
Arena choice to go with the veteran defense of Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez, leaving typical starter Geoff Cameron on the bench. By and large, it worked. There were nervy moments, sure, but the defense kept a zero, which is all you can ever really ask for.
He opted for an attacking formation that pushed Christian Pulisic centrally. It worked, especially with Panama’s tactical decision on their own end. The tactics worked, the subs worked, everything worked. The players will get credit, but Arena deserves some as well.
After months of questioning and frustration, the U.S. came out like a team with a World Cup spot on the line. Give Arena credit for setting them up to do so throughout a chaotic month.
I think Bradley, once again demonstrated what makes him so valuable to the USMNT and at the same time frustrated those who think he should do more, be more attack oriented or make more damaging tackles.
Frankly he is still the calm spot every member of the team tries to find when they are in a tight spot and need an available outlet or lose possession. No other US player has shown the work rate and vision to shoulder that responsibility. (Only Beckerman came close, but he is less capable.)
Most really good national teams have 2 or more players who consistently are in open spots for teammates when they are under pressure, the Spain team of 7 years ago had several and that helped account for their long spells of possession..
When the US has more players with the tactical vision to support teammates better, Bradley’s tireless work rate and ability to be the one (and way too often the only one) who has the foresight to be there to support a teammate when he will be in trouble is unique. When players like Nagbe, Acosta, Ariola, Pulisic, Gonzales, Besler, name your favorite, begin doing that at least in their own area of the field then it will be time to think about replacing Bradley. Right now is not yet the time.
I still going more 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 for this current cycle of players. We had issues in middlefield, against stronger teams USNT would get destroyed.
3-5-2: Ream Cameron Brooks (Just example CB’s could be mod.)
Yedellin & Johnson or Villafana could be both defensive/attacking wings
Acosta or Nagbe or Bradley as enforcers/ballwinners
1. Baloy was too slow & stiff = main reason why Arriola, Wood, Pulisic & Altidore destroyed him. Blas was out step.
2. Pulisic is our next “improve” Donovan/Ramos/#10.
3. Arenas corrected his errors like correct subs.
I agree that we shouldn’t get carried away. On the other hand, I see a lot of potential. I still think FJ should be LB and whether it’s Brooks or Besler to go with Cameron and Yedlin at RB, our back line would be solid. With Altidore, Wood, and Pulisic, we have some very good attackers, add Arriola and another decent midfielder and I think you would see a team capable of holding its own with a number of good European and S. American teams. If we get a good draw in the WC, barring injuries, then the quarterfinals are not wildly optimistic. Pulisic may be on his way to becoming a super star. He not only has the talent, he seems to have the same warrior mentality we have seen in Dempsey.
The crowd was fantastic. I went to all 5 he’s home games and Orlando was second only to Columbus. Obviously this team wins without the crowd but Pulisic was thriving from the crowd. Constantly gesturing to get louder. Not the reason we won, but it sure eases things on the players.
I’ll begrudgingly give credit to Arena and the squad–but I’d dial down on the “Hosannas on High”. Panama, at their best, is not much more than mediocre.
There were huge gaps in play last night. The CB pairing showed real vulnerabilities which a marginally better team would have exposed. I used to be a MB diehard proponent; no more. He’s never met a negative pass that he didn’t absolutely love. From his deep lie, he kills most momentum out of the US’ defensive half.
Nagbe was largely invisible. Villafana was as well, though that’s probably a good thing. I’d say Wood, Pulisic and Arriola had really good games. Altidore benefited in large measure from their hard work. Yedlin was yoemanlike. Howard wasn’t seriously tested. Panama just didn’t provide much fight nor finish.
I didn’t see all that much to rejoice over.
My final concern: theses wins (as I include Tues vs T&T) will do much to mask the serious deficits in the team. They’ll provide a security blanket which will bring out the hubris, and not the humility of this very middling US team.
I agree with you for the most part. The concern was the center back pairing and on occasion looked very beatable. John Brooks can fix that along side Cameron. My concern was Bradley passing to the wrong team on several occasions creating attacks for Panama and why the midfielders won’t go to green(open field) when under pressure to give support a few seconds to develop (watch Mexico). The attack looked very good at times but there were tap in’s available several times when shots were taken (field vision). To say this is a middling side is acceptable I guess but I’m a believer in what it can be with some time and a few additions. I believe this team can really be good with some minor adjustments. If you are not American I can understand your negativity but if you are you need an attitude adjustment.
Its become clear that no matter what result this team gets people will complain. I find it hilarious that fans can find nit picky moments in a game that was a total domination by the US, its as if people.e look for the bad in this team just to have something negative to say. No game or team will ever be perfect, and if anyone thinks that’s the case they’ll always be disappointed.
The CB pairing had nervy moments, and probably should have been scored on but they weren’t so its a non starter. There is no question technically and athletically Brooks and Cameron are our best pairing, but its ignorant to suggest that they would have had this perfect game or never have had bad games because they have had plenty in a US shirt. My point is players of all levels have bad games and I get tired of people suggesting that certain players should never suit up again for the US when these moments take place, its as if Cameron and Brooks get a pass for their stinkers because they play in bigger leagues and it wreaks of favoritism.
I would argue unequivocally that Arena knows more about the game than any fan could ever in his lifetime, so to continue questioning his call ups and team sheets are asinine and laughable, especially after wins like the one just had. Enjoy the win, and lets look forward to the next one on Tuesday!
I think our expectations have grown so much over the last ten years that fans are just so frustrated by the up and down nature of the team over the last say five years. Combine that with the growing culture of non-compromise/admitting you were wrong and you get message boards that end up being quite negative.
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For me what makes soccer so fun is that the margins between winning and losing are so small. The difference between the Panama game and the Costa Rica game were pretty small Urena finished his two chance and Torres did not, the US buried its early chances and got the penalty call on Friday they did not against CR.
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This team could very well lose to TnT on Tuesday and miss out on the WC, the people being negative are just tempering their hopes.
100% agree, very well said.
100% agree, very well said.