HalfSpaces Player (+/-) Grades: USMNT vs The Netherlands

The USMNT is at a point in their development where this game is the spot they can show growth, this specific match. We expect the US to get out of their group, but not win it. That means we’ll always (barring weird results in another group) be playing a team we aren’t expected to beat. That was the case again against the Netherlands.

Imo, this was was progress. Belgium battered the US and only a heroic performance from Tim Howard kept the team in it. This wasn’t a team under siege, but Holland demonstrated what a mature display from a world power looks like in the knock out rounds. They picked their spots, created a few high quality scoring chances, and buried three of them. Game. Set. Match.

There are a couple encouraging items worth mentioning: 1) We basically played with 1/2 a player pool – the “lost generation” means that we had to play this cycle with only the younger half of the pool and 2) We may get some actual development and meaningful experience from the guys on this team. The performance in Brazil had almost no carryover since those guys all aged out and we missed the 2018 World Cup. The 2026 World Cup should feature many of these same players. Watching how Holland killed this game should be a learning experience they can use going forward.

As for Berhalter and the tactics…let me start with this:

I just listened back to this in Dutch and Alex is right. Van Gaal wasn't criticizing Berhalter in saying the U.S. "didn't adapt; didn't adjust." That was a very deceptive way of spinning that quote. https://t.co/o10M7FDlyT

— Leander Schaerlaeckens (@LeanderAlphabet) December 4, 2022

Van Gaal got the better of Berhalter, but people using his quote afterwards to make Berhalter look bad is in poor taste. As I’ve said before, I’m not a great tactics guy. It takes me a long time and a lot of effort to attempt to pick that stuff apart (here’s the time I watched a game at 1/4 speed to try). I will say this though, Holland definitely minimized the midfield and emphasized the wide areas. The MMA midfield had 42 “events” (by my reckoning) against Iran and only 28 against the Netherlands. The USMNT’s starting fullbacks had 30 between the two of them. Really would have liked to see how this game would have developed had Pulisic put away his chance in the third minute though…

To the grades.

Grading Beverage: Blade and Bow Bourbon – Kind of a disappointing beverage. It’s not bad, but it’s trying to take advantage of the distillery where it’s made and where the legendary Old Fitzgerald bourbon (that I will probably never be wealthy enough to even sniff) was made. Original bottles cost thousands of dollars. Anyhow, Blade and Bow is a poor imitation of this storied drink. (Just read this back while proofreading and it really sounds like I hate this. 🤣 It’s fine, just not worth $55 or whatever)

The Grades

MOTM – No One

I’m not trying to be harsh or insulting, but there’s not a grade that “qualifies.” Turner and Pulisic both came in at +5.5 and that’s not really high enough to warrant this section. I think you have to tip your cap to Louis Van Gaal/the Dutch and say we’ll get em’ next time.

Other Positive Performances

Matt Turner (+5.5)

Turner didn’t have a chance on any of the goals and made one humongous double save to keep the USMNT within shouting distance in the 71st minute (preventing the Zimmerman own goal was pretty good too). During the tournament he’s shown improvement in his distribution and made all the saves you’d expect him to make. I really thought he might stand on his head in a match and give us a chance to steal one, but it wasn’t in the cards against Holland.

Christian Pulisic (+5.5)

I’ve caught myself a couple times sitting there thinking about the miss in the third minute…Christian has gotta be replaying that in his mind over and over. (I don’t have the heart to clip it and post it here) Pulisic had a decent game. There is no doubt he was working and his hard, low cross made the lone goal, but there just wasn’t enough to overcome a good Dutch team. A real goal threat at forward would be a great help to him and the rest of the team.

On another night, maybe he has a goal, an assist, and the soccer world talking about how stupid Chelsea is. On this night, it’s a good effort from Christian, but time to go home now.

Walker Zimmerman (+5)

Zimmerman played well. In his first two matches he had two big mistakes (the PK and a bad TO against England). He avoided those moments in this match and wasn’t a major culprit in any of the goals conceded. He’s athletic enough that he’s not going to get embarrassed 1v1 and he’s dominant in the air. Look at him stalemate (with a little help) Memphis on the break here:

Zimmerman is 29 so he’s probably going to hang around for another couple years while Miles, Richards, and mystery defender X develop, but he’s a useful piece. It’s not totally out of the question that he’s on the roster in 2026 at 33. He’s shown some ability to pass the ball and you never know how development is going to work out (it’s not linear, that’s for dang sure).

Room to Improve

Jesus Ferreira (-2)

You gotta feel bad for Ferreira. He went from presumed starter, to is he going to get on the field at all during the World Cup? And then when he does get a chance he’s rusty and gets pulled at halftime (deservedly, but still). This is his most memorable moment of the night:

He needs to get in the gym, add some weight, and see if he can be Josh Sargent plus some extra skill. His goal scoring record in MLS is going to get him looks from Europe. He’s another one that could easily develop and be back in the side in 2026, but it’s not a given. I’m rooting for him though because he is an enjoyable player to watch.

Sergino Dest (0)

Maybe Sergino was too hyped up? You know this match against the country of his birth was making him feel some kind of way. He looked great briefly, but the drifting attention on defense and trying to do too much ended up in a disappointing match. Here’s an example of him trying to do just a little more than he should have:

I don’t foresee anyone displacing him as the USMNT’s starting right back anytime soon, so hopefully this is growing pains for Dest. He has the talent to be one of the best right backs in the world, but he needs to eliminate the lapses in attention. Hopefully, he settles in at AC Milan or finds another permanent home where he can continue to mature.

Memento Mori

Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means, “Remember that you die.” Maybe I’m getting old and maudlin, but this is now the 8th World Cup that I have watched and paid some level of attention to. The USMNT has been involved in seven of those. Assuming I live to an average age, I have about ten more of these tournaments left. I’m not trying to be depressing, but this is a reminder that these are fun and soccer is ultimately a game to be enjoyed.

I’ve followed teams that won championships and waking up the day after always feels a little bit empty. So what…they just try to do it again now? My point here is that the process is the good part. The USMNT is improving and hosting the next World Cup. The team/player pool is definitely growing (not always in a straight line or as quickly as we’d like) and will continue to deepen as we churn out prospects as a country.

I look forward to making new “digital” soccer friends in the next four years as we quickly determine that the new coach is an idiot too. What were the odds?😂

PS – I’ll probably total up the numbers and do some sort of World Cup recap thing in the next week or so.

If you enjoyed this and would like to be informed of future articles type your email address in the box and you’ll be notified of each new post. Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter @blharreld 🤓