Commentary
USA-England Men's World Cup Player Ratings
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Nov 26, 2022
Nov. 25 in Al Khor
USA 0 England 0.
Att.: 68,463.
A confident start by the USA against England gave hopes that Coach Gregg Berhalter's team could be capable of an exceptional performance. Instead, the scoreless tie produced little for the highlight reel, from either team. Getting a point against the group's top seed can be seen as a success by the USA, which managed to shake off the disappointment of its tie with Wales.
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
Matt Turner securely snagged England's over-hit crosses. He reacted quickly to Mason Mount's hard-hit low shot from 20 yards to make a diving save shortly before halftime. His play with his feet was much improved on how he did against Wales.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Matt Turner (Arsenal/England) 22/0 (28)
Central defender Walker Zimmerman blocked Harry Kane's close-range shot in the 10th minute and for the remainder of the game he and partner Tim Ream prevented England from getting serious chances at goal. The attack-minded outside backs Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson kept England's wide players occupied with defensive duties for much of the game but failed to become truly dangerous. Defensively, they had few problems with England's flank attack.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Sergino Dest (AC Milan/Italy) 21/2 (22)
6
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) 35/3 (29)
7
Tim Ream (Fulham/England) 48/1 (35)
6
Antonee Robinson (Fulham/England) 31/2 (25)
Tyler Adams did his usual clean-up work when his attacking teammates lost possession or let an Englishman through. Especially impressive was his clean slide tackle in the U.S. penalty area on Bukayo Saka. Adams also tried to create attacks late in the game. Yunus Musah won many balls in midfield, where he played alongside Adams in a 4-4-2, but also gave England possession with his four fouls. Offensively, the U.S. midfield failed to conjure combination play clever enough to break through the middle. But they dominated the flanks, causing all kinds of problems for the English on the right side with Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Dest. Christian Pulisic continued his run of ineffective corner kicks, shot unsuccessfully — but at least he hit the crossbar on Friday. The volume of Pulisic's work on the left side to combine with teammates to keep possession and push the English back was impressive, though. The USA's best chance was a 10-yard shot McKennie skied over the goal. McKennie relaying Musah's pass to Pulisic on the crossbar shot was a rare example of a fruitful linkup.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
7
Weston McKennie (Juventus/Italy) 39/9 (24)
7
Tyler Adams (Leeds United/England) 34/1 (23)
7
Yunus Musah (Valencia/Spain 21/0 (19)
7
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/England) 54/21 (24)
Tim Weah set up McKennie's big chance but didn't pose the danger on the dribble that one hoped he'd provide. Haji Wright had the USA's first attempt on goal when he headed wide from a difficult angle, but didn't get service for clear chances, nor figured out how to be effective on his own.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
5
Tim Weah (Lille/France) 27/4 (22)
4
Haji Wright (Antalyaspor/Turkey) 5/1 (24)
SUBSTITUTES
Coach Berhalter did not give his subs much time to find their groove. Only Shaq Moore stood out, for managing three fouls in a 17-minute appearance. Fortunately, the England was just incompetent on set pieces as the USA.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
5
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England) 26/6 (22)
4
Shaq Moore (Nashville SC) 16/1 (26)
nr
Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England) 22/5 (22)
nr
Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/Germany) 15/4 (20)
TRIVIA: Friday's result marked the USA's first scoreless game in 35 World Cup matches.
NOTABLE: Five U.S. starters play their club ball in England: Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson (Fulham) and Matt Turner (Arsenal).
NEXT UP: USA-Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2 pm ET.
Nov. 25 in Al Khor
USA 0 England 0.
USA — Turner; Dest (Moore, 77), Ream, Zimmerman, Robinson; McKennie (Aaronson, 77), Adams, Musah, Pulisic; Weah (Reyna, 73), Wright (Sargent, 83).
England — Pickford; Tripper, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham (Henderson, 69), Rice, Mount; Saka (Rashford, 77), Kane, Sterling (Grealish, 69).
Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.
Referee:Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela), ARs: Jorge Urrego (Venezuela), Tulio Moreno (Venezuela). VAR: Juan Soto (Venezuela).
Att.: 68,463.
USA/England
Shots: 10/8
Shots on target: 1/3
Saves: 3/1
Corner Kicks: 7/3
Fouls: 9/15
Offside: 0/1
Possession: 45%/55%
Pulisic's corners were actually good. nice height at the 6 yard box. problem was, the only one there to meet them was a free roaming Maguire.
yea what a cluster on those free kicks. On a corner, man at the front post one running to the back. Learn that it beginner soccer.
It's Just INCREDIBLE, How Bad our Service and Runs in the Box are ... It's Really High School Level Coaching Work... Like "C" Level Stuff.!!! ... Near Post, Far Post, PK Spot, 3Perimeter Players for Rebounds, Drop Pass and Containment... 7 Players, ... with 3 Defenders Back, for Counters..... So Simple, So Teachable.!!!
Maybe the braintrust is using data to decide what to do. Soccernomics says the data informs us that inswinging corners at the near post have the greatest probability of resulting in goals.
Are your ratings out of a possible 10? So these players - who performed incredibly well to be (arguably) the better team against one of the favorites to win the World Cup - earned 4,5,6 and 7 from you? Sheesh. What's it take to earn an 8? 9s and 10s only for Maradona in 1986?
I'd view these ratings as overly generous. I watched Zimmerman pass directly to an opponent. England just weren't clinical. Harry Kane had an aneurism in front of goal. We wouldn't be celebrating 0-1.
England just Didn't Care... Like Kelly Smith said before the Game... This was a "Amistoso" to them... No Injuries, No Red Cards... No Problem.!!!
I agree. These ratings are ridiculously harsh. Even sky sports and the BBC gave our kids 8s.
These ratings are high, but not unjustifiably so. Some of you must be unfamiliar with the SA rating system (which, I'll agree, is a little unorthodox). A "5" is nothing wrong, nothing great (a keeper without much to do, e.g.; may have played perfectly, but never challenged). 7s are very good, 8s are excellent (once in a while), 9s and 10s almost don't exist. I thought everyone played well, nobody had the break-out brilliance we needed to win.
Jeez you guys are incredible
Agreed Andy,
Outside of Zimmerman's on-ball shakiness and Moore's complete shakiness every single one of our players was excellent, 6 at absolute worst and CP, Ream, and Adam's should have been 8s. I get that attackers never get 8 unless they have a brace but these boys played great against an EPL all-star team.
Was fully expecting a standard "10s for everyone!!" post from Santi.
It's 10 to 1. Agreed with your comments. Wonder if the writer ever played.
@Seth... You must have missed my Posts from Earlier:
Santiago 1314, November 25, 2022 at 9:16 a.m.
Iran beat Wales 2-0... Just showed how bad Ggg Messed up by NOT playing for The WIN.!!!
Now England game Means LITERALLY NOTHING.!!!
No One with a Yellow Card Should play..!!!
Play the MLS Team for all I care about the Result today.(Just keep the Score Low)
*** It was a "Managed Game" versus a Non-Intersted England ...
5s for Everyone.... ;)
The most complete 90 minute effort in the entire cycle. That doesn't mean there weren't problems. Mr. Zimmerman turnovers were almost costly. It seems that this team really doesn't know how to use a # 9. I guess it doesn't really matter who plays the position. Find it hard to watch the modern game in the sense that, no one is @ the back door on corner kicks. It will all come down to Tuesday. Please let them play with total effort for the entire match!
Agreed, about the #9.... That is why we Should play Reyna in there.!!!
Overall best game I have seen USMNT play against a prime competitor. We have just one weak spot. We can't put the ball in the net. I think that is what you have to do to win ? NO .
Reyna personally I don't think he should be on the team. He is there because of one thing. You figure it out. However if he is on the team play him.
What is with GB's T shirt. STATES OR STATES/United. Ridiculous
Goal Goal, his shirts for the entire cycle are virtuous. He's very deep.
"Woke", but Not Awake to the Best way to Select and Coach Players.
I am biased, but if we go behind, GB better give Jesus a chance to score--with some TIME.
Just so interesting, that we Don't use our New Big #9 like a High Stretching Forward, GegenPress Starter, nor do we use him as a Near Post Crasher, or as a False#9... Really almost like we are playing with 10 players... A Waste of Space, Tactically Speaking!!!
Again, no problem from me with the ratings. The defense bent, but did not break. Attack lacked creativity and finish. Scoreless tie in a game that was not likely to be critical in the final standings. So, it's on to the game with Iran. One game to win to get out of the group.
Check ✔️
The ratings seem accurate to me. I thought GB's line-up was good, as were his subs. I would have like to have seen Aaronson and Reyna come in earlier (maybe start against Iran?). I don't know Wright that well, but he seems like a big strong guy (and he scores goals in the Turkish league), so giving him a shot wasn't a bad idea. Did he even touch the ball in the 2nd half? Maybe we play without the #9 and put an additional quick skillful guy up top (Reyna or Aaronson) and just let everyone in the front move freely and create overloads.
But overall I thought the team played well against a high quality opponent in a very high-pressure game. I think we're better off going into the Iran game playing like we need a win (even if we would be actually better off if we only needed a tie).
Moore was brought on to shut Grelish down and stop his dribbling. Honestly, I bet his instructions were to foul him every time. Thing is, on the last free kick when the other player would not tackle, he simply did what he was told to do. No car for the started and because the yellows and no longer coming out, no card for Moore. Love thr over all tactics from out coach. And those minutes from when Grelish went in for Sterling till Moore came in was our worst stretch.
Agreed
Possibly, with the youngest team at the WC, we are taking small forward steps with each game. Also, having missed the last couple of them, we have only 1 player with WC experience. Now we have almost 20 with 2 WC games played. A win against Iran will be a major accomplishment, all of these new WC veterans make it to knockout stage. How awesome would that be?
Go USA
Agreed... Very Small Steps, with those Rubber Bands Tied around their Feet, by a inept Coach.!!!
Apparently according to FOX sports team, Ghana, not USA, is youngest team. Age not a factor, it is coaches/staffs team, they could have selected more older players, chose not to. Either way, our group is good enough to get out of the group, so - no excuses.
It appeared to me that the USA came out of this game in better physical condition than the Wales game. They were not as exhausted and were hobbling less in the final minutes. There were no yellow cards, so all are available barring injury.
The only l/u change needed is to start Aaronson for Wright. Attacking Iran in the first half is important. At halftime, a couple of subs can be made as needed. I would use a couple more by the 75th minute and save the 5th for the end game.
Attack, attack, attack similar to how England demolished Iran.
Go USA
All we need are a few penalties like that called againt Poland today. Touch a player from behind in the leg and award a penalty.
So a lot will depend on the referee. We cannot expect fairness in that department. I predict we will have to score three goals to win the game vs Iran.
I just happened to watch the last 10 min. of this game yesterday and will watch the rest of it this morning, to give an opinion on it. But my impression of those 10min. was that both teams got together and agreed before the game to play each other without neither one losing to each other and still make it look we actually really tried. This game reminded me of Germany vs Austria, WC'82. Neither made sure the other would lose.
I do find it interesting that there are those who actually take these ratings seriously, I never even bothered with them
Since we insist on having Pulisic take the corner kicks, maybe, instead of having him just aimlessly pound them into the box, perhaps we could run a play (short corner or a run to the near post or a screen at the top of the box.....something......anything but those useless crosses!)
More importantly, great effort, boys, keep it up, BEAT IRAN!
Since we insist on having Pulisic take the corner kicks, maybe, instead of having him just aimlessly pound them into the box, perhaps we could run a play (short corner or a run to the near post or a screen at the top of the box.....something......anything but those useless crosses!)
More importantly, great effort, boys, keep it up, BEAT IRAN!
As I stated before this game looked like both teams came to a compromise of not losing...Not saying this happened but if England wanted to be less threatening and less dangerous, what would be the right strategy? NO PENETRATION down the left and right wing by Saka and Sterling, two of the fastest wings in the tournament, who draw usually two defenders each,BINGO!!!
Both wingers were no offensive threat with no crosses into the box, neither were they an offensive threat because they either cut inside but never ended up at the endline, thus failing to draw our defense back. So NO CROSSES in the box to the two most tallest players on the field, Billingham and Kane, DUH!!!. I DON'T GET IT!!! NEVER EMPLOYED THEIR QUICKES OR SPEED...
You mean the English didn't coach understand what was happening?
NO DIAGONAL BALLS from Rice their #6 to the wings on the run receiving it behind our backs...Rice didn't do anything...THE ENGLISH TOTALLY DIDN'T EMPLOY THEIR STRENGTHS.;
Why didn't the English go full pressure , high up, on our defensive backfield. The Golden Rule is that if you are playing a weaker team than you don't give them time and space with the ball. You demolish them ,but I didn't see that. The English front line would often drop back to midline, giving our worse ballhandlers Ream and Zimmerman, time and space and even look decent....
I just think there were some things happening behind the scenes for England to play the way they did....
NEXT POST
You are Correct Frank:
England Expended just enough Energy to get the Tie...
I was very Worried that one of our Yellow Carded Players would get "Carded Out" or McKenNIE would Re-Injure that Thigh Muscle...
All Turned Out Well, We Got Lucky and Showed Some Maturity,
But, it was more like a Practice Game
We simple lack an attacking frontline, Individually and as a group.. Look at Weah, Pulisic and Wright. Let's say we don't have great inviduals who are good 1v1 in the penalty area to score and we accept that nowhere on the team we have those types.
But one thing we must have on the front line to not only score but also aid in finding out what we did wrong and improve on that is STRUCTURE, which don't have. For example, I would like to know the different areas of the field all of the attackers.. What I see on our front line is that they are everwhere, and most of the time not where they are assigned to.
Are the places where CP moves off the ball to, the best positions; does where he moves to, improve his teammates' position, or does it improves the other teammates potential. For example, Aaronson tends to run all over and at times ,thinking he's open, he's actually blocking, not knowingly,f a teammate's lane at the same time for him to receive the ball. Many players thing about themselves more than thinking how can I help my teammate through my actions. You notice in the England game, Rice , when trying to contain one of our defenders with the ball, always moved in a manner that Adams could not receive the pass, which means ,Rice is helping his teammates behind him from having to pick up Adams...
Cruyff , once mentioned that he doesn't like coaches yelling, 'move, keep moving off the ball, find space". What in effect happens when many on the team keep moving they can hamper the efficiency of play, for they might be moving into some else area where he's not needed.l
In order to combat this is that the only player that needs to move off the ball is specifically the 3rd and or 4th man off the ball. In other words the ball goes from the passer to the receiver to the 3rd man MOVING off the ball and possibly go to the 4th man. Who the 3rd man is, is tricky for you need to read the game and the 4th man has to see it happen before it happens...Usually the 3rd man should make his run behind defenders or opponent's line of sight for it to be very effective. Too many players, like coaches think in duos , instead of trios.
NEXT POST.
Triangulation.... Muy Importante
If you look at the USA Goal, you will see how to "Invert" the Triangle, by having the Player ahead of the Ball, Check Back and Flick-It Off to a By-Passing players from the Back of the Original Triangle...
Jedi to CP, in Triangulation with Musah getting the ball
Musah to Sargent, in Triangulation with CP getting the ball
Creates Holes in the Back Line by Drawing out Defenders from their Positions, which allows Weah to get in Behind for Goal.
STRUCTURE comes when Pulisic, and the attacking others play their position FIRST. CP plays left wing, lets say, than if he goes inside his position is open than the next step question ,who will fill his postion. Lets say the lefthalf runs forward and fills the left wing position and what that means that left back takes that position...The IMPORTANT ASPECT is that ALL SPACES ARE FILLED AGAIN AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO COUNTERATTACK CAPABLE OF STARTING....
This is a very simple example for we can go into the weeds on this. For example, is the lefthalf who took over CP's position, a leftfooted or rightfooted for that can have consequences as far as the timing of the cross ,let us say, who should run to first and second post. Or has the lefthalf, a questionable cross but is good 1v1, thus able to draw out defenders. And if that's the case who will be in front of the goal in 1v1 situations.....There are so many permutations that have to be thought out in the structure, which deal with the players abilities, and brains along with the tactical concepts you wish to follow....
Once we established the structure, we can then better pinpoint what went wrong and adjust for that. But right we're playing Willy-Nilly ball....
Franc,
This comes from the coach not being able to build an idea into attacking patterns of play for our guys to use. Again, lack of coaching ability.
How Much More Do We Need to See?
Writing late. Was in Copenhagen for the Thankgiving weekend and watched a lot of WC action. Now for our team. Good 90 minute effort and no let off in the second half. However, it still comes down to a few candid points.
Again, A Robinson shows his immense inpetness on the left flank. The absolute worst players on the pitch again. We have no way to attack down the left flank. All of our build up comes from the combination on the right between Dest, McKennie and Weah. Robinson does not have the ability to pass nor take players on to create space. He is only good to sprint up and down the sideline. Please out Scally in there. Not the same speed, but he can combine play to help out Musah or Luca to link up with CP in the final third. We will not win a game unless we can attack using the entire pitch.
Not so worried about the rating. Believe I would stick with Sargent and Wright against Iran. Maybe go with Reyna on the right instead and possible move Weah centrally. I would play Aaronson over Musah to start as he is good in tight spaces just a bit more than Musah. Bring Musah in second half for McKennie and Luca for Aaronson. Need our most creative players on the ball against a very low block. Lastly start Carter-Vickers over Zimmerman. Will need some pace against Irans counters.
All comes down to one game now.
I think we have to keep Aaronson in Reserve, In Case McKenNIE goes Down.
As for Jedi, I think you are Too Harsh;
He is the one that Started the USA Goal with Pass into CP.
I still think his Upside is more on the Positive Side.
And we Really have NO Alternative.!?!?!?
In spite of the ineptness of the coach and many named players above, the team has taken a point from each game, allowed only 1 goal, and in control of their destiny, playing a team they knew the need to be able to beat before the tournament started. The are on the top side of goal diff and points if they win as well. This is not bad. Let's see what they do in spite of all the negatives. For me, I am fairly happy with what I've seen, as I see players and coaches growing, getting better. No way the two teams got together, only simply, they both employed the tactics that the group situation called for. Nothing sinister. Group play at it's essense is not about goals, it'a about 1. points, and two goal diff, and all in the context of your group situation as it evovles. The goal for USA is to get to the next round. Make it happen!