The U.S. Men’s national team will play its first match since qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the team’s focus has shifted from qualifying to preparation, with Wednesday’s friendly against Morocco serving as the launching point to a busy month of June.
The Americans will deploy a strong lineup to take on the first of two World Cup participants they will play this month, with a friendly against Uruguay on Sunday in Kansas City.
Christian Pulisic headlines the group set to face Morocco, with Aaron Long making his first USMNT start since March of 2021:
Here is a rundown of SBI coverage leading up to tonight’s match:
USMNT gearing up for new challenge vs. Morocco (LINK)
Brenden Aaronson set for run in USMNT central midfield (LINK)
Malik Tillman has one-time switch to USMNT approved by FIFA (LINK)
Joe Scally is ready to build on his breakout Bundesliga season (LINK)
Djordje Mihailovic forced out of USMNT camp with ankle injury (LINK)
SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight’s action throughout the night in the comments section below so feel free to join us, and you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions.
Enjoy the action.
Final: USMNT 3 – Morocco 0. A good night for Gregg Berhalter’s squad, earning the first of what could be four wins this month. Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah, and Haji Wright with the goals. Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner with impressive nights as well.
Got to see plenty of fresh faces on the field including Malik Tillman, Wright, and Cameron Carter-Vickers. USMNT faces Uruguay next on Sunday in Kansas City
We smoking these guys! Every last Moroccan player plays in Europe 1st division except for the Queen’s Park dude!
*Almost, not every last
PENALTY. Morocco draws the spot kick after Joe Scally is whistled for a foul. Minimal contact, but the opportunity is given for the visitors. Selim Amallah blasts it off the crossbar. 76′
Malik Tillman’s first shot on goal is a save from Bounou at his right. Corner kick eventually leads to a Morocco free kick. 75′
Weston McKennie coming on as final USMNT sub. About 20 mins for him tonight, which is what Gregg Berhalter expected. He replaces Brenden Aaronson. 72′
A pair of USMNT subs here as Malik Tillman comes on for his international debut, just one day after having his one-time international switch approved by FIFA.
Luca De La Torre also coming on. Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic exit. 65′
Haji Wright scores from the penalty spot after Christian Pulisic draws the spot kick opportunity. His first international goal. 3-0 USMNT
Seven saves for Matt Turner now after a good save on Tissoudali. 53′
Haji Wright played in by Brenden Aaronson early in the second half, but Bounou with the kick save. 48′
A trio of subs for the USMNT to start the second half as Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Walker Zimmerman, Haji Wright replaces Jesus Ferreira, and Joe Scally replaces Antonee Robinson.
Overall great offensively. Defense is leaving holes that should be punished. Long looks shaky to me out there, but it’s not just him. Overall I think the US has been a little better, but the scoreline is deceiving.
HT: USMNT 2 – Morocco 0. Goals from Brenden Aaronson and Tim Weah have the Americans in front at halftime. A strong first half which easily could’ve had more goals than what it finished with. Gregg Berhalter confirming on ESPN broadcast that Haji Wright, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Joe Scally all coming on in second half. More to come from Cincinnati.
Ferreira denied for a second time in the first half as the in-form FC Dallas forward’s shot is repelled by Bounou in the box. Easily could’ve been 3-0 heading into halftime.
Morocco starting to offer more in the attacking half of the field, but USMNT is doing well to keep them to the outside. 43′
Boom! 2-0 USMNT as Tim Weah creates space and hits a blistering effort into the top corner. Bounou gets a hand to it, but can’t keep it out. Weah ended his league season strong and that carries over into tonight’s international friendly.
PULISIC! Glad we scored first because our defense looks too shaky at times. Too often attackers are left unmarked in the box and the right side of the defense has been MIA too often.
Brenden Aaronson with his sixth USMNT goal in his 19th career appearance.
GOAL! Brenden Aaronson with an easy tap in after great control from Christian Pulisic. Pulisic with a brilliant first touch before cutting back and connecting with Aaronson. 1-0. 27′
Feeling like Swiss friendly last summer good high press producing some dangerous chances but also resulting in some dangerous chances for Morocco in transition.
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3-4-3 still needs some work but looks much more organized than last time we saw it in Honduras.
Great work from Tim Weah to create space for a shot, which is punched away by Yassine Bounou. 22′
Big-time save from Matt Turner to deny Morocco, then Aaron Long raced in to block a dangerous follow-up.
Still 0-0, 13th minute.
Nice work by Aaron Long to hold up the Moroccan striker trying to break into the final third. Not a stretch to say Long is the best 1-v-1 defender among the USMNT central defenders. Was the case before the Achilles injury, and he’s looking like he’s back to his best.
Great start from the USMNT with the high press working against Morocco. Christian Pulisic misses a good chance in the box just wide of the left post. Hoping to see if the Americans can keep this pressure up as we move on tonight. 6′
Let’s see how long we can press like this?
Heck of a save from Morocco’s Bounou to deny Jesus Ferreira an early goal. Promising start for the USMNT.
The match is underway in Cincinnati. Sunny skies for now, but there are forecasts of storms in the area. Here’s hoping it stays dry.