The Jamaica game was a beyond obvious candidate for a letdown. Playing so well and getting amped up for the Mexico match was going to be tough to replicate against Jamaica. Weirdly though, if I know that and you know that, the team definitely knew that. Being able to do something about it is the problem. A 1-1 draw in a dull game isn’t the worst result in the world, but it does leave one feeling unsatisfied.
The USMNT feels a little bit like a college sports team right now, given the ages of the players, and they seem to be prone to some of the same foibles that can afflict those teams. One of the reasons college basketball/football is so fun to watch (usually) is the wild swings of momentum that can happen in games. In this match, the US scored and it immediately felt like they could score 3 more. However, when Michail Antonio stepped up and scored a 33 yard bomb…the team reacted like their dog had just died. Hopefully, as the team gains experience those sorts of events don’t have as pronounced an effect.
Grading Beverage: Hot Toddy (made with Remus bourbon) again – I had a couple over the summer when I randomly lost my voice and now I’m kind of addicted. Just a really good cold weather night cap. Highly recommend (recipe).
If you haven’t read one of these USMNT (+/-) Player Grades articles before click here for an explanation of the system.
Grades
MOTM – Tim Weah (+7)
This is a weak man of the match score, but we’re working with what we’ve got here. Weah graded out as the best player in both matches for me. I know theoretically he’s a bench option if we’ve got a completely healthy roster, but let’s not worry about that until it actually happens (never). For now, he’s the most dangerous attacker on the team and is capable of moments that can unlock a defense in one or two touches. He flashed that ability at the U20 World Cup a couple years ago and now he’s doing it with the full national team.
Weah is also the best guy on the team for getting to the end line and then doing something productive with it. Here he cuts it back for Pepi and if this goes in…this game would have been a lot different. Alas, it did not, but it’s still a nice play from Weah.
Other Positive Performances
Brenden Aaronson (+6.5)
Aaronson hasn’t been as productive from a goals and assists perspective as he was when he first got into the starting lineup, but he’s still a net positive. He hassles opponents all over the field and never stops running. He played 78 minutes in this match and was positive in the three games phases that existed (there was basically zero offensive transition).
Aaronson is a little like Arriola (with more skill) in that he’s always going to be somewhat of a positive because he puts in so much effort. Even when he’s not making things happen around the goal, he’s a buoyant force for the team because of his pressing and movement off the ball.
Room to Improve
Antonee Robinson (-2.5)
To start – Jedi is the best left back option the USMNT has by a country mile. There’s no one else I want to see starting there in a game that matters. BUT Robinson has had better nights. He was a little messy for most of the match and then had the near catastrophic error in the 53′. Also, he was on the ball a lot and mostly didn’t do anything with it. That’s not a negative, but it’s also not a positive. It’s not all his fault, but you’d like to see more.
Zack Steffen (-2)
I don’t want to be involved in the ongoing Steffen-Turner feud that is constantly simmering beneath the surface of Twitter’s murky waters. I slightly prefer Turner, but I’m not willing to die on that hill. In this match though, Steffen didn’t add much. His advantage over Turner is ball skills, but in this instance he didn’t add anything in that phase. He was -0.5 “In Possession” and a 0 in “Transition Offense.” The Antonio goal minimally effected his grade (only dinged him 1/2 a point for that), but his passing sure did. I had four different passes marked as negatives for him. That’s not great from the keeper.
Two less than sumptuous touches from Jamaica rendered this chance DOA, but this is the sort of play you’re looking for Steffen to turn into calm possession. I remain confused about how critical the keeper is to playing fluid attacking soccer.
The Window
It’s tough to be upset about the window as a whole. Four points and a win against Mexico is a nice way to finish out the year. The next step for the US is finding consistency in these performances and playing well away from home. As things stand, if a team can keep them out of transition then they ain’t gonna score. Playing two good games in a row has also been a challenge.
I’m planning on doing a 2021 year in review-style piece in the next couple weeks, but not exactly sure on the timing. Thanks for reading and enjoy your Thanksgivings. Cheers.
Ben
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