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USMNT vs. France: Live Commentary

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The U.S. Men’s National Team is set to play one final friendly before the World Cup, and it comes against a team with legitimate aspirations to win this summer’s tournament.

After a win over Bolivia and a loss to Ireland, the U.S. takes on France in Lyon on Saturday in Les Bleus’ final pre-World Cup friendly. The match represents a significant test for the USMNT, who take a massive step up in competition against a world power.

With that in mind, the U.S. will begin in a fairly defensive lineup as Dave Sarachan has opted for a five-at-the-back system featuring Antonee Robinson, Tim Parker, Matt Miazga, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Shaq Moore. Up top, Bobby Wood starts in a partnership with Julian Green while Zack Steffen earns the start in net.

For France, a number of the world’s elite can be spotted in the XI including Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and N’Golo Kante.

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

  1. Posters on this site continue to be myopically negative. Sure we were on our heels but the play out of the back, passing in tight spaces and overall technical quality is at a noticeably higher level than previous teams. This is basically our U-23 team going against a World Cup favorite on their soil.

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  2. Very, very decent result considering that was basically our U23 squad out there today.

    In France, against their A+ team amped up to max World Cup form? I’ll take it.

    Ugly, though. We passed well at times in the first half, not at all in the second once we started bunkering. You won’t argue against any sort of result in these circumstances but you’d love to see the team mount more attack…oh, well, they’ve got four years to grow into themselves.

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      • Agreed, the last save low was something. A friendly sure but the moment wasn’t too big and there was something comforting about him in net. Not sure what it was but he has something the others don’t.

  3. It was only a matter of time before France burst the bubble. The USMNT defense has nothing to be ashamed of, however. They’ve fought valiantly today.

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  4. The positive was willingness of USA to work ball out versus just blast it forward. You guys are way too harsh. This is France versus a bunch of American teens. I think they have done extraordinarily well.

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  5. Second half is underway. Can the USMNT hold on? Which players will you be watching? What subs are you looking for?

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      • Ugly, ugly clash of heads with Miazga and Giroud. Blood everywhere. Doesn’t look good at all.

      • Have to say, the USMNT has looked much better in the second half. Can see a bit of confidence growing. Still not pretty and France is still dominating the ball, but you can see a little belief.

      • Looks like the game is opening up a bit and they are finding some space. Still sloppy passing but at least there is some improvement! Gotta love Robinson’s skills in the back.

  6. Halftime: USMNT 1, France 0. Just as we all predicted. France absolutely dominant but Green nicks one on the USMNT’s first legitimate attacking chance. USMNT attack almost completely silent while the defense has been strong. Parker, Trapp the standouts for me so far. Moore looking better as the game has gone on.

    What are your takeaways from the opening half?

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      • Think the U.S. got a bit better as the half went on. First 15 or so minutes were really, really bad. Still a struggle, you saw a little bit of possession as they half continued.

  7. GOAL JULIAN GREEN! Out of absolutely nowhere, Green is able to turn and fire on a pass from Shaq Moore in the box. Where did that come from?

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  8. Jesus, I understand that we are young and inexperienced, but are we really THIS bad? It’s not an excuse to not connect simple passes.

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  9. POGBA OFF THE POST! Rocket of a shot following a giveaway from Julian Green. Looks like Steffen may have gotten a touch on it before it hit the post.

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      • Free kick in the 10th minute and Giroud has a wide open header that is hit right at Steffen.

      • First 13 minutes or so have gone as expected. France dominating the ball, U.S. a bit sloppy. Not much of anything in the USMNT attack.

      • Chance for France as Griezmann whips it across goal but there’s no one there to pounce on it.

      • Another look for France in the 27th minute. Bit of miscommunication for the U.S. produces another dangerous ball across the box but it goes out for a corner.

  10. Kickoff and we’re underway in Lyon. Going to predict a 3-0 France win but, for me, a bit more interested in individuals than scoreline. Just looking for positives somewhere.

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  11. Don’t know how our players are suppose “fight back” with a 5-3-2 formation ?‍♂️. You just can’t “block?” all game long against a team like France. Our formations are our down fall. The last game was the 4-1-4-1 formation without the necessary wingers (Speed speed speed) and now its the 5-3-2 against an aggressive 4-3-3 from a top 10 soccer nation…..
    SHOTS ON GOAL❌
    CHANCES CREATED❌
    BALL POSSESSION❌
    SET PIECES (in dangerous areas)❌

    GO USA??? ??

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  12. Good afternoon all and welcome to today’s live commentary. Obviously a very interesting one for a USMNT group that’s certainly stepping up a level. Griezmann, Mbappe, Pogba and co. are certainly a bit better than Bolivia.

    That said, excited to FINALLY see a five-at-the-back, even if the aim today is survive more than experiment. Will certainly be a tough one for the USMNT. Any score predictions before we kick off?

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