Commentary
USA-Canada Men's Gold Cup Player Ratings
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Jul 18, 2021
July 18 in Kansas City, Kansas
USA 1 Canada 0. Goals: Moore 1.
Att.: 18,467.
Shaq Moore hit the net 20 seconds after kickoff and the USA held on for a 1-0 win over Canada that earned it a first-place finish in Group B. On the plus side, 21-year-old James Sands ran a defense that generally remained composed amid the Canadians' attacking waves. Concerning was the evaporation the USA's offense after its thrilling start. It managed one shot in the second half.
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
Matt Turner passed the easy tests -- saves on a couple weak long-range shots, played well with his feet on a backpass under pressure when a error could have been easily punished -- and he positioned himself smartly on Canada's best chance. Tajon Buchanan got ball at the edge of the goal area but Turner gave him no space and blocked the shot with his leg.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Matt Turner (New England Revolution) 4/0 (27)
Walker Zimmerman left injured in the 15th minute, replaced by Donovan Pines. In only his second U.S. start, James Sands delivered a man of the match performance. Early in the game, when the USA managed some streaks of possession, Sands' ability to evade the first challenger enabled him to find the most effective pass and he even won tackles in the Canadian half. When the Canadians took control of the midfield, Sands intercepted passes and blocked a couple shots, including a promising first-half effort by Jonathan Osorio. His ability to win balls without committing a foul was valuable during a game in which a Canadian PK looked likely at some point. Miles Robinson headed clear Canadian crosses and long balls. His successful tackles included robbing Ayo Akinola on a threatening first-half counterattack.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
nr
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) 17/2 (28)
8
James Sands (New York City FC) 3/0 (21)
6
Miles Robinson (Atlanta United) 6/2 (24)
MIDFIELDERS
Kellyn Acosta fended off two challenges and sent the ball to Sebastian Lletget to assist on Shaq Moore's goal. Not long after the brilliant beginning, the U.S. midfield pretty much called it a day on combining offensively. It wasn't all dismal. In the 19-year-old Gianluca Busio's second start, he hit some impressive passes early in the game before he and his teammates went into survival mode. Lletget was strong on the ball when he got it, but lacked the speed to break through when without teammates nearby. Sam Vines delivered the most promising ball of the second half but like his midfield mates was mostly preoccupied with defending, which he did successfully on the flank in front of the three-man backline.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Shaq Moore (Tenerife/ESP) 8/1 (24)
5
Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids) 34/2 (25)
4
Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City) 3/0 (19)
5
Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy) 26/7 (28)
5
Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids) 5/1 (22)
Both forwards deserve some credit for keeping the Canadian backline occupied enough to prevent them from adding numbers to their attack. Daryl Dike's two shots went wide from long range. Gyasi Zardes impressed in the first half when he managed to keep possession amid a crowd of Canadians and nearly created a chance. But that was an exception as neither succeeded much at the formidable challenge of holding the ball while outnumbered. They also failed to be close enough to each other to combine as a pair.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
4
Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew) 59/13 (29)
4
Daryl Dike (Orlando City) 6/3 (21)
SUBSTITUTES
Donovan Pines showed no nervousness for the rest of the first half after being call into to action on the backline in the 15th minute But at the start of the second, he made an ill-advised pass back into into the middle and was lucky that Cyle Larin shot weakly. And he was fortunate that ref Adonai Escobedo ignored his pushing over Richie Laryea in the penalty area in the 50th minute. Pines recovered with a successful tackle after misplaying a throw-in in the 59th minute. In all, despite the flaws, Pines' handling of the emergency arrival to replace Zimmerman was a key to the victory. Reggie Cannon had an open shot from 15 yards out -- the USA's only second-half chance -- after a delivery from Vines, and despite no pressure, managed to shank it sideways. Cannon did respond with two good defensive plays immediately after his miss. Neither Jackson Yueill nor Cristian Roldan managed to bring order to the U.S. midfield. Forward Matthew Hoppe won a ball near the USA's penalty area and a couple of his attacks disrupted the flow of Canada's comeback attempts. He was fouled in the 81st minute. Ref Escobedo didn't show Osorio the yellow card he obviously deserved -- but the break in play benefited the USA as the minutes ticked away. While none of the second-half subs played brilliantly, Coach Gregg Berhalter sending in a fresh trio into the game in the 75th minute did make Canada's challenge more difficult.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
5
Donovan Pines (D.C. United) 2/0 (23)
5
Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR) 19/1 (23)
4
Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes) 15/0 (24)
4
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) 22/0 (26)
6
Matthew Hoppe (Schalke 04/GER) 2/0 (20)
NUMBERS:
10. The USA started 10 MLS players and one foreign-based player, Shaq Moore of Spain's Tenerife.
8. Canada started eight MLS players and former Orlando City striker Cyle Larin (Besitikas/Turkey), Steven Vitoria (Moreirense/Portugal) and Junior Hoilett (Cardiff City/Wales, English Championship).
July 18 in Kansas City, Kansas
USA 1 Canada 0. Goals: Moore 1.
USA -- Turner; Zimmerman (Pines, 15), Sands, Robinson; Moore (Cannon, 58), Acosta (Roldan, 75), Busio (Yueill, 75), Lletget, Vines; Zardes (Hoppe, 75), Dike.
Canada -- Crepeau; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Laryea, Fraser, Piette (Kaye, 74), Buchanan; Akinola (Osorio, 24), Hoilett (Tyler, 74), Larin (Cavallini, 53).
Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.
Referee: Adonai Escobedo (Mexico)
Att.: 18,467.
USA/Canada
Shots: 6/14
Shots on target: 1/3
Saves: 3/0
Corner Kicks: 1/3
Fouls: 10/10
Offside: 0/0
Possession: 45.5%/54.5%
Thx. for the summary as always.
Very disappointing display by the US team,especially after the excitement resulting from the previous match. The step up from Martinique to Canada revealed that most prospects are not yet ready for primetime, except for Sands. I wish that we could have seen Eryk Williamson in MF, but GB continues to rely on his more familiar starters.
Up front we saw that both Zardes and Dike are flawed; if one could combine their strength into one striker and hide their obvious weaknesses we would be better off. ICYMI, Josh Sargent has been on fire against strong opposition; let us see what the new Bremen coach produces as support.
Our right side consisted of what Frank S. likes to label "Turbo" players;could not help thinking of him. Moore, Acosta, Cannon all need to add new skills; not impossible with time.
Peter, I agree with you; BUT,....
Today,( and maybe only Today...
I Love Coach Ggg Pephalterklopp...
I Posted this ...
"Santiago 1314 replied, July 17, 2021 at 11:08 a.m.
OK.???... I don't Remember Ajax or "Clockwork Orange" that way... (Frank, you out there.???)...Maybe that was where Ggg Pephalterklopp got that idea of Positioning Adams there in the Early Formations he used ... Clearly, "Total Voetbal" was about Defenders Joining In from the Back and Interchanging with the Next Player... But, it could have been ANY Defender... My Favorite example was Beckenbauer( yeah, I know, He Ain't Dutch)... I agree that having a Defender Join in, should Give you Numerical Superiority. Because, if you are 4 in the Back, Most The Opponent will have is 3(usually Lazy Forwards) against you... There is ALWAYS someone that is 1v0 ... Finding that Player and getting them the Ball at the Next Level, creates 2v1 in the Midfield... From there it is Just a Series of 2v1,(Like Dominoes Falling) until you come up Against THEIR Open Player(Theoretically on their 18)and the Numbers Equalize again...Unfortunately, We Never see CBs that Bring the Ball Out of the Back, or Join In anymore, it's always some little Dinky Wing Back... I Loved when Cameron was Back there, he would do it... or The Younger version of Brooks, when he first Joined USA, he acted like Beckenbauer... Stripping the Ball and Running up with it... So, I agree to go 3-4-3 on Attack... But if you have the Same 3 Large, Klunky, Turds-in-a-PunchBowl Sitting on their A$$s, It really becomes very Predictable Side Ways and "One Channeled" Tiki-Taka... Ah, for the Days of The Libero.!!!"
AND Ggg Gave us a LIBERO IN SANDS
THANK YOU ... JUST WIN BABY, WIN.!!!
10s for Everyone.!!!
Agree with your final assessment Santi. 10s all around. Holding on to a 1-0 lead for 89 minutes, is something not a lot of folks value, but you take home the W and it's a heck of an accomplishment for a bunch of young men that never played before as a unit, and the coach and staff that set them up. Maybe a bit lucky, but luck is always a factor in tournaments. Well done to USA. Canada is another team that seems to be lifting themselves up, good on them and good for CONCACAF, we need better competition. MLS and USL have a big hand in the improvements. All the best.
If this was basically Canada's A team, we're in pretty good shape...some of these players should certainly develop into decent role players, a couple could be pushing a starting position considering how little the overall group has played together...
Alan B. It was not Canada's "A" team; there two best players were missing: Alphonso Davies from Bayern and J. David from the French champion Lille.
Peter...Canada "A" minus 2... Doesn't equal USA minus 15 ... This USA is Basically the "C" Team.
Name me which of these Players from Today Displaces This.???
Pulisis-----Sargent-----Weah
Reyna
McKenNIE--Adams
A.Robinson. Dest
Brooks----Richards
* Horvath *
Generally an accurate assessment of the US players. Robinson seems to be a pretty solid player (he's impressied me more as the tournament has gone on). Moore impressed me in previous games, but we just didn't use him much today. Sands was veriy good; as MW said, his ability to move past the first challenger and then distribute the ball accurately makes him very effective. I do like Busio, but I thought in this game he played too many back passes (his strength seems to be turning with the ball and carrying it forward, which he did a lot of in the last game (admittedly, agains weaker opposition), not so much today. But he has loads of potential. Turner also has continued to impress as time goes on; seems very calm, but a good shot-stopper and decent with the ball at his feet. He didn't take chances when under pressure, and I'm okay with that.
I didn't watch the entire game but when I did, I looked carefully at Busio; might a 4 rating be too low, in fact, way too low? I never saw him lose the ball, pretty much just one-touch it and do so in spaces where there was little pressure on him. Years ago, I remember discussing with a superb soccer coach my surprise at the soccer world's very high opinion of Valderamma, thinking that he didn't seem to be trying to pressure the opponent, just one or two-touch here and there while gliding fluidly around the field. To my untrained American eye: he just didn't seem to be trying very hard. The coach's response was simply, "Valderamma is amazing, he never seems to get into trouble." I began looking for this in Valderamma and other number 10's, saw it in Xavi, see that in Frenkie de Jong, Neymar has this ability yet often attacks with his passes rather than simply possess. Anyway, is it possible that Busio displayed the quintessential qualities of a great number 10 last night?
So what Ggg and Staff need to do is Analysis Some Real Madrid-Croatia Tape to see how they Support Modric... Ggg Pephalterklopp has shown that he will "Bastardize" any System, for Parts... Heck he went back to the "Swiss Bolt" in this Last Game, with SANDS as a "Libero" ... I applaud him for having the GUTS to go against Conventional Wisdom, and Being back a "Sweeper" ... But there was TOO Much Distance between Sands and Busio... And Acosta and Especially Lletget are Useless as "Connecting" Midfielders... Lletget is Useless in the Midfield (VERY DANGEROUS AROUND THE 18)... Seemed to me like Ggg told Acosta and Lleget to Stay Wide and away from Middle to let Busio/Sands in there, but it's TOO much Space for Busio(Maybe anyone) and Required Busio Checking Back Too Much under Pressure ... Let him Wander, and Let the Team find him... That's what Real Madrid do with Modric and Farća used to do with Xavi.
Guys , I didn't see the game. I'm in Europe watching real soccer, LOL. Here is why Valderama, Frankie de Jong, Xavi ,etc look good and make less mistakes. It's very simple. THEY DONT HAVE TO TRY AND BEAT ANYONE 1v1.
Frenkie ,if you notice, always runs away and avoids opponents by turning away, runs into an open space. He simply tries draws opponents to him thereby creating open space, left by his opponents , for his teammates to fill. They often know who to pass to next before getting the ball. These types of players tend to hold onto the ball as long as possible, make an opponent commit and then pass. The pass from them needs to simply beat an opponent. Attackers need to beat an opponent 1v1, physically, which carry risks. Attackers , would simply have an easier time if they have to look for other open attacker to pass to.
Guys , I didn't see the game. I'm in Europe watching real soccer, LOL. Here is why Valderama, Frankie de Jong, Xavi ,etc look good and make less mistakes. It's very simple. THEY DONT HAVE TO TRY AND BEAT ANYONE 1v1.
Frenkie ,if you notice, always runs away and avoids opponents by turning away, runs into an open space. He simply tries draws opponents to him thereby creating open space, left by his opponents , for his teammates to fill. They often know who to pass to next before getting the ball. These types of players tend to hold onto the ball as long as possible, make an opponent commit and then pass. The pass from them needs to simply beat an opponent. Attackers need to beat an opponent 1v1, physically, which carry risks. Attackers , would simply have an easier time if they have to look for other open attacker to pass to.
Phillip, think of the game like this. Good teams by definition will be in good position. So what an effective player does is get the opponents to shift from the good position. Like in tennis. Time is space, and space is time. The shift in position doesn't have to be 10 yards. Often simply getting an opponent leaning in the wrong direction will be enough to create a weakness to be exploited. Like in basketball too.
I think Busio has good fundamentals and excellent speed of play. Something all players need, but is especially important for midfielders. The best players make play look simple, effortless even.
Players that are "hard workers" are compensating for either a lack of skill on their part or weak teammates.
Frank said that these types of players tend to hold the ball as long as possible. I would not say it that way. What I would say instead is that these players will not force a pass. Meaning they are patient. Coach John Wooden famously said "be quick, but don't hurry".
In Europe... Have a Nice VaCay... Go back and look at Bob and My Thread on "Total Voetbal" ... In the Game Report on Martinique game... We need your Expertise on all things Dutch... :)
Bob, you hold on to the ball as long as possible in order to pick out the best option the opponents haphazardly create by their counter movements.
Frank, that is an excellent way of saying it.
Santiago , I looked at it yesterday and began to make comments ,then lost track. Can you summarize the exact points that you two differ on so I can focus on it better
Bob made Point that Ajax moved Lt Fullback into Def Mid when on Attack.... Going from 433 to 343 ... Seems to me it wasn't so Regimented... any Defender was "Allowed" to move into Midfield on Attack.... I dòn't like USA playing with 3 Ct Defenders in the Back...
Close Santi. The LB typically moved into the midfield to form a diamond with the 3 CMs forming the center of 3 interlocking diamonds. (1212121). Although I didn't say it previously, my understanding is that this triple diamond shape was key to how they controlled the game.
Very intriguing Bob, I never heard or Read this in all the study I made of Total Football... I'll have to Delve Deeper into it. Just picked up: Cruyff, My TURN... (Clever Play on Words) "A life of Total Football" ... Maybe he's got some Goodies in there.
I read My Turn for the 3rd time last month. I don't think you will learn anything startling about total soccer from the book, mostly because you already know a lot and Cryuff was not an open book about his view of the game. Great book though.
Over the years what I learned was to trust my own experience as to what I thought was good soccer. But my own experience was pretty good. I was heavily influenced by Latin players, played no youth soccer, and didn't play in a USSF sanctioned match until I was 62. In hindsight I was very fortunate. I played with and against a lot of wonderful people over the years from all over the country and the world.
Santiago, you,re right. Any defensive back can move up. Mazaroui the rightback and on the left it is the Argentinian. I think Bob is thinking of Dailey Blind who plays leftback as well but also plays midfield at times for he is to slow. At times he also plays centerback. They prefer Dailey at midfield for without a doubt he is currently the best passer in Holland. Watch his passes initiated from backfield forwards to mid.
I can understand where Bob thinks the left back plays densive mid.
Frank, I think you on Jet Lag... Maybe Century Lag..... We are Talking about Ajax and Holland of '72 and '74... Not the Ajax of today, and Certainly NOT the Current Decrepid Nederlands... Hahaha... Do you remember LB of 70s playing in Defensive mid as a Tactical Set Up when team was on attack.???
Frank my understanding was the LB moved up to the left point of the midfield diamond, which allowed the interchange between lines along the left flank with the least amount of running.
It has been so long I can't remember who the LB was or what the source of the information was. As Santi said we were discussing the 433 played in the early 70's at Ajax.
Santiago...that's why I asked to give me the specfic info. Now this is easy. The defender that moves up is the sweeper ,Arie Haan '72, '74. The left back, Ruud Krol, never became a 4th midfielder. The only time the leftback moved up is when the left wing cuts inside leaving an open space leftback,'72,'74 ,a la Carlos Albertos '70's.
At midfield ,'74,you had Van Hanegem, Wim Jansen, Johan Neeskens, the greatest midfield in the world at that time, and also Johan Cruyff as false #9,and Arie Haan played in the mix there.No , the leftback did not have midfield role, neither the right back. Do you really think the outside backs played a role in attack? in those days when you had a frontline consisting of Rensenbrink, Cruyff, and Johnny Rep '74 or '72 Piet Keizer, Cruyff, Johnny Rep. Worldwide in those days there were so many great attackers that backs didn't play much of a role, attack wise.....
Note the sweeper ,a la Beckenbauer ,in those days were the ones to move up to midfield and in Holland they employed the to come out as a second sweeper......THE OUTSIDE BACKS were only connected when the wing cuts inside , which was only incidental.......BTW "MY TURN" should be bought by every coach, for it is between the lines what you pick up which makes it so rich....
I meant to say the second sweeper was the goalie, to fill the space of the sweeper moving up to midfield.
Santi, this is not the 1970's source I recall or the team that I recall, but it is the ideas that I recall behind the use of a 343 shape in possession. Starts at 0:45.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWjmbTp5jq8
In looking at the variations I think you will recognize the interlocking diamonds as well as another variation that provides for the W up high popular with the USWNT (2 10's and 1 6 in the midfield).
This view is also why I say our WNT since 2015 is about 75% of the way to positional play (my preferred word for total football) and that the MNT under GB is not using positional play.
WOW, Cruyff "MY TURN" ... Only read a few Chapters so far, Learned so much, I thought I already knew everthing... Didn't Realize how Much AJAX was involved in his Early Life... Mom Cleaning the Locker rooms and Coaches House after his Father died, when he was 12(I knew that about the Family history of Heart disease)... How he Told his Mom, when he signed his Pro Contract, that she would Never Clean the Locker Rooms again(He was only 2nd player to sign a Pro Contract with Ajax)... I'll be Reading the rest on VaCay.
Yes Frank, that is how I remember the Clockwork Orange of the 70s... Sweeper Coming Up... We will Cut Bob some Slack, He's a Lawyer, you know how they play Fast and Loose with the Facts.... Jajaja... Just giving you a Hard Time Bob. I Love(d) Lawyers, my Son is a JAG and his Momma (my 1st Ex) is a Lawyer also.!!!.. Cheers to All
Yeah Bob, I saw that Lf Fullback slide up into ct Mid, in that video... Misleading, the way they did that... Good stuff in there mostly... But you can't Believe Everything you see on UTube.!!!
I think you are so Correct Phillip.... I was Trying to figure out, who Busio reminded me of... You Nailed It... And all he Needs to do, is Dye that Beautiful hair he has.!!!.... I still think Ggg is trying to figure out how to use him... "Schemer" in the German Model comes to Mind... with 2 #6 (Mckennie--Adams) behind him... Think Modric, with Kroos and Casemiro by him, instead of Lletget and Acosta... That's what US Midfield could Look Like.... For the NEXT 12 YEARS.!!!!...Exciting.!!!
Where to use Busio is easy--in the midfield. As a pivot (deep-laying playmaker) who has the most influence on the game or higher up the field but in the center. His skills are too good to have him play as a winger. It would be a waste to put him someplace where he isn't involved in every play.
When I watch Busio, I don't think of Valderama. I think of Iniesta and Xavi. Valderama could carry a team by himself, which is great, but I am dreaming of a great team not just one great player.
Yes. I agree Bob... Sort Of... Too Deep and what do you do with Adams, McKenNIE.???
I agree with Philip's description of Busio being Valderama-like. The long hair is obvious, but I think that because of the way they both play (often faking then changing direction) the hair becomes more prominent, and actually might even help them fake out opponents (by exaggerating their movements). Busio seems to be exceptional in his ability to take a pass from his defenders (while under pressure) and turn upfield (losing the people marking him as he goes). Did it better in the last game (he ended up playing more back and wide passes today), but I do like the way he plays.
Santi, that is why I put Adams at RB to make room for Busio as a starter. McKennie I would try as an "8" with Reyna and Busio. McKennie has shown improvement but I am still hoping for someone better skilled. I think Frank would classify McKennie as a turbo player. McKennie impresses me a lot more than Llegett does and in my mind I see McKennie making late runs into the box--as an opportunist like Llegett.
I would like to see if SANDS can play in a 2 Ct Back System... He's Looking good as Back up #6... Don't think he can Replace Brooks or Richards... But he looks like at Least #4 Ct Back on Depth Chart... I'm putting Robinson as #3... Pines is like #12, But he can Improve, I think, and man, What a "Wing Span".!?!?!?... He takes 2 Strides to Opponents 4
So, here's "A" team IMHO; (hahaha)
Let's Start Filling Out the Rest of the 23.!?!?!? (Thoughts)
-------------------Sargent
Pulisic-----------------------------Reyna
---------------------Busio
---------McKenNIE-----Adams
Bello-----------''-----------------------Dest
------------Brooks-----Richards
----------------* Horvath *
12. Zardes
13. Dike
14. Aaronson
15. Weah
16. Acosta
17. Lletget
18. Sands
19. M. Robinson
20. Vines
21. Moore
22. Steffen
23. Turner
-----------------------------------
A. Robinson
Arriola
Williamson
Green
Zimmerman
Palmer-Brown
Miazga
Yedlin
Cameron
Gioacchini
Hoppe
Musah
Carter-Vickers
Tessman
DID I MISS ANYONE IMPORTANT.???