Timothy Weah has seen both ups-and-downs with the U.S. men’s national team in his young career, but delivered his best performance yet in the biggest match of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.
Weah assisted on Christian Pulisic’s winning goal in Friday’s 2-0 home victory over Mexico, earning SBI Man of the Match honors for a stellar outing at TQL Stadium. The Lille forward laid it all on the field in his 89-minute performance for Gregg Berhalter’s side, excelling at both ends of the field in Cincinnati.
The 21-year-old was lively from the opening whistle for the USMNT, getting into dangerous spots on the field and eventually providing the breakthrough cross in the 74th minute. Weah’s right-footed cross was headed home by a diving Pulisic, putting the Americans ahead 1-0, before eventually watching Weston McKennie add to their lead.
Weah was subbed off in the 89th minute of the match, walking away with the most dribbles completed (4), chances created (4), and individual duels won (10) in the match. It was a confident performance from the young forward, who made the most of his third-consecutive start for the USMNT.
Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Pulisic earned honorable mentions for MOTM honors on the night, but it was Weah who walked away with the recognition.
What did you make of Weah’s appearance? Do you hope to see more of him in the starting lineup? Who else impressed you in Friday’s win?
Share your thoughts below.
I am happy that others that watched the game agree that Tim was “the man.” ESPN praised his performance. But, I don’t believe he has received enough recognition for his effort. He had a truly astounding game.
Clearly the man of the match. Glad you recognized him better than the USMNT Twitter handle did. Kid earned the next start no matter the style Berhalter wants to play. Very happy for him and the whole program. It’s fun to watch this group. They have that chemistry and just enough “why not us” to make some noise and present some challenges to other country’s in ways we couldn’t before. They’re exciting to watch. Hope they keep rolling!
YES. He had an incredible game. I can get used to actually having fun watching these Mexico games.
Weah lost the ball/bad passes a few times at the beginning of the game but his speed and quickness destroyed the Mexican left back. I never thought I would see the day when the USMNT had a problem as to who should start in the attack, Pulisic, Reyna, Aronson, and Weah with Adams McKinney and Musah holding the midfield. Fantastic problem. Now if Pepi can sharpen his abilities…
Like others have said, that’s the best I’ve seen Weah in the uni. Owned his flank on both sides of the ball. Quick shout out to GB too for adjusting at halftime and tweaking ARob to not get too high too early in the build out. First half at that was an issue, his gap with MRob got exposed more than once, but not the 2nd half
Weah was the one that impressed me the most among forwards and midfields and agree he was MOTM Zimmerman was the best defender and may have dealt a death blow to Brooks.
A Robinson saw a lot of the ball and turned it over many times too. Plus seemed to get caught up field a lot. Good game but with flaws
FIFA needs to suspend the eye gouger for a few games. That crap is pure garbage
agree with Zimmerman over Brooks but Brooks is still a lot better then McKenzie
Fifa has no say in the matter. It would Concacaf and they will do nothing.
First time I think I’ve ever seen where we took the game to Mexico and they had to counter us. So fun to watch.
We know we’ve come a long way when have critical games like this and players like Zimmerman and Weah are nominated for MOTM over marquee players. The US pool needs players like these and others to continue to raise their game and complement the core group. What we are likely to see if more of these younger players continue to grow and improve as they mature as professionals. 2022 WC is starting to look very likely.
Weah’s performance was top notch.
His performance over the last couple matches have hopefully helped solidify him as ahead of Arriola in Gregg’s pecking order. Once Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, & Arronson are all healthy we’ll have a lethal wide attacking rotation. Konrad & Arriola as 3rd stringers/injury replacements isn’t too bad either.
CF is still a bit of a question, but Pepi, Sargent, Dike, & Pefok are all viable options. None is perfect, but each has a decent shot of staking a claim at being the point of the spear.
Adams, McKennie, & Musah seem to be separating themselves from the rest of the pack as the midfield trio. There’s a fairly significant drop between 1st string & 2nd, but with Reyna able to pitch in and Luca making strides (should have been on the roster tonight)…that only leaves the back-up CDM as a real concern.
The Defense is coming together. Zimmerman has impressed. M. Robinson has forced his way into the starting XI. I still believe that Richards will ultimately be a Starter….but who his partner will be is the question….Robinson, Zimmerman, Brooks.
A. Robinson, Dest, & Scally make a very competitive trio of outside backs. The 4th is up for grabs with Cannon & Yedlin as the likely candidates.
We’ve never seen all of our best players be available for a FIFA Window yet. Once we do this team will really have a chance to make some noise.
I disagree only regarding Musah. I don’t think he had a good game and Busio should be given consideration for a spot in the midfield. Also, once Reyna recovers, he might be our best bet as a center mid since we have Pulisic, Aronson, and Weah who can play behind the CF. We actually may have too many good players, if that’s possible.
Musah didn’t have the best of games but he wasn’t terrible either. I think he’ll get better as he gets more club game time. McKennie & Adams both struggled early in the game but settled more as the game went on. The other thing to remember is that these guys have very limited time actually playing together.
Agree if Gregg would ever use Reyna more centrally than Musah may be the odd many out, but I’m not holding my breath that Gregg will actually do this.
Can never have too many good players. Look back at some of our history where injuries have seriously hurt our chances to make statements at major tournaments. CD9, Jozy, Gooch, Edu, ArJo, Dolo, etc… all significantly hurt, since we had such a drop off between our starters and 2nd string. Having real quality depth options will only help.
I cannot disagree. In my humble opinion the three tops players were Weah, Musah, and Zimmerman with Stefan right behind.
100 percent…..McKennie, Zimmerman, Musah, Stefan, Adams, Aaronson, both Robinsons…… like everyone just stood tall. Not once, in the 95 minutes of play, did I feel like we were in over our heads. You saw the intensity, self motivation and belief. Absolutely brilliant
agree with you both, 100%
The ‘Allen Iverson of soccer!‘
Absolute beast, effort and performance was all there for Timo. He’s grown a lot into this team and at Lille. I hope he starts again vs JAM
Right on! Can’t believe US Soccer didn’t even include him in their twitter poll 😳 Dude owned his side if the field. Pinned his defender back. Tracked back and defended well. Set up multiple attacking moves. All around the BEST performance in our kit so far.
He was pure class. Fine choice for motm
Right on! Can’t believe US Soccer didn’t even include him in their twitter poll. 😳
Could also argue for Walker Zimmerman or even Zach Steffen, but yeah, Weah had probably his best game in the shirt. I figured a big part of the game was going to be getting him in behind the backline and time and again Mexico struggled with Weah in space and 1-on-1’s. He’s got a truly blistering turn of pace and he does have more technical quality than any of our other wingers aside from maybe Pulisic and Aaronson…and he seems to be growing into the role. You can definitely see his confidence growing out there.
Also encouraging Gregg Berhalter seems to see he’s an upgrade on Arriola. Gregg can be stubborn but it does not appear he’s blind and slowly and over time he has seem to have steadily improved the roster.