Commentary
USA-Iran Men's World Cup Player Ratings
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Nov 29, 2022
Nov. 29 in Doha
USA 1 Iran 0. Goals: Pulisic 38.
Att.: 42,127.
The USA celebrated its first victory of the 2022 World Cup and is headed to the knockout stage thanks to Tuesday's 1-0 win over Iran. Coach Gregg Berhalter's team scored only two goals in five hours (including stoppage time) of Group B soccer, but its second goal, Christian Pulisic's 38th minute strike, was enough to earn a round of 16 date with the Netherlands on Saturday. Defensively, the USA, which didn't allow Iran a shot on target, moves on having conceded only once, a penalty kick goal in the 1-1 tie with Wales.
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
No saves were required of Matt Turner but he distributed well under pressure, including some accurate long-range passes that sparked U.S. attacks -- most notably, the sequence that led to Christian Pulisic's goal.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Matt Turner (Arsenal/England) 23/0 (28)
Central defender Tim Ream intercepted through balls in midfield, passes in the U.S. penalty area, won headers, and also covered for the outside backs. Ream himself passed well and his cross-field chips to right back Sergino Dest got flank attacks going. Ream and his powerful partner Cameron Carter-Vickers squelched attacks down the middle and cleared balls from the wing as Iranians failed to unleash a shot until Saman Ghoddos' over-the-bar header in the 52nd minute. Carter-Vickers' body check and grabs didn't meet the officials' criteria for a foul but he could be more careful in the penalty area. Dest, who defended with clean tackles, was a thorn in the Iran's left side from the get-go. His prep work included the assist on Christian Pulisic's goal. On the left side, Antonee Robinson also surged frequently, but with less precision and more turnovers. Like Dest, Robinson also retreated swiftly when defensive duties called.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
8
Sergino Dest (AC Milan/Italy) 22/2 (22)
7
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/Scotland) 12/0 (24)
8
Tim Ream (Fulham/England) 49/1 (35)
5
Antonee Robinson (Fulham/England) 32/2 (25)
Within the first five minutes, Tyler Adams headed to safety an Iranian free kick and intercepted a pass in the U.S. penalty area. His ball-winning continued throughout the game and the only blemishes on his performance were a yellow card for an unnecessary midfield foul and a turnover late in stoppage time that led to one more futile Hail Mary attack by the Iranians. Adams, who enables the outside backs to attack aggressively, also distributed crisply and brought the ball forward. On the U.S. goal, Adams dribbled upfield from his own half before combining with Robinson and dishing the ball to Weston McKennie. A nicely lofted pass by McKennie floated for Dest to run to behind the Iranian backline and head to Pulisic. Yunus Musah won balls and the large amount of field he covered contributed to Iran's failure to maintain midfield possession. Musah took the USA's first shot, a much too high volley from 18 yards, and set up its first shot on target, delivering the cross for Pulisic's header to keeper Alireza Beiranvand. Late in the first half, Musah won a ball that Adams then passed perfectly to Josh Sargent for a promising attack.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
7
Weston McKennie (Juventus/Italy) 39/9 (24)
8
Tyler Adams (Leeds United/England) 34/1 (23)
6
Yunus Musah (Valencia/Spain 21/0 (20)
Christian Pulisic went off injured at halftime — but first he scored a historic goal for the USA. He anticipated Dest's header across the goal area, beat two defenders to the ball, and half-volleyed into the net from close range for the goal that earned the USA passage into the knockout stage. Pulisic was injured on the play and his absence was felt in the second half. He had in the first half kept the Iranians wary whenever he was on the ball and at times kept position deep in their half. Josh Sargent did some of that in the second half, coming into the midfield to make himself available. Late in the first half, Sargent had taken an Adams pass and stormed toward goal with Tim Weah, who anti-climactically ended the foray with a pass to an Iranian in the penalty area. In the 28th minute, Weah couldn't figure out how to take advantage when Sargent's shot (after a pass from Pulisic) deflected high and from eight yards headed the ball weakly to the keeper. Seven minutes later, Sargent controlled a Dest cross and laid the ball off for Weah to shoot unmarked from 12 yards. Weah's shot went way high. Weah started the eight-player sequence on Pulisic's goal minutes later by plucking Turner's ball out of the air and laying it off to Musah. But his day got more frustrating in first-half stoppage time. McKennie relayed a pass from Turner that Weah met with a well-timed run and stroked the ball into the net. But Weah wasn't level enough with defender Majid Hosseini for FIFA's "semi-automated offside technology."
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Tim Weah (Lille/France) 28/4 (22)
6
Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England) 23/5 (22)
7
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/England) 55/22 (24)
SUBSTITUTES
The USA's ability to keep possession in the Iranian half decreased with the haphazard Brenden Aaronson on the left wing. Kellyn Acosta's arrival didn't stabilize a tiring midfield. Shaq Moore looked dangerously unsure of himself. Walker Zimmerman headed away Iran's balls down the middle.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
4
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England) 27/6 (22)
4
Kellyn Acosta (LAFC) 55/2 (27)
nr
Haji Wright (Antalyaspor/Turkey) 6/1 (24)
nr
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) 36/3 (29)
nr
Shaq Moore (Nashville SC) 16/1 (26)
TRIVIA: The USA, in its 36th World Cup game dating back to 1930, for the first time fielded a starting lineup consisting only of European-based players.
• It was also the first time since MLS's 1996 launch that no MLS players were in the U.S. starting lineup at the World Cup (or any competitive game besides a match against Jamaica at the 2011 Gold Cup).
UP NEXT: Round of 16, USA-Netherlands, Saturday, 10 am ET.
Nov. 29 in Doha
USA 1 Iran 0. Goal: Pulisic 38.
USA — Turner; Dest (Moore, 82), Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Musah, McKennie (Acosta, 65); Weah (Zimmerman, 82), Sargent (Wright 77), Pulisic (Aaronson, 46).
Iran — A.Beiranvand; Ramin, Majid, M.Pouraliganji, M.Mohammadi (Karimi, 45+3); Ahmad (M.Torabi, 71), Ezatolahi, Hajsafi (Jalali, 71) Gholizadeh (Karim, 77), Azmoun (Ghoddos, 46), Taremi.
Yellow cards: USA — Adams 43. Iran — Majid 77, Jalali 90+6. Red cards: none.
Referee: Antonio Mateu (Spain). ARs: Pau Cebrian (Spain), Roberto Diaz (Spain); VAR: Juan Martinez (Spain).
Att.: 42,127.
USA/Iran
Shots: 12/4
Shots on target: 5/1
Saves: 0/4
Corner Kicks: 5/1
Fouls: 10/14
Offside: 1/2
Possession: 51%/49%
Oh Yeah!!!
10s for EVERYONE.
EVEN GGG.!!!
We Believe that we Can Win.!
WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WIN.!!
WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WIN.!!!!
JUST WIN, BABY WIN.!!!
Oh, I Do Need to "Eat my Words" on Ream... He has Played and we haven't Lost yet... I was Wrong, I admit it ... As Long as Jedi Stays Healthy next to him, they are a "Serviceable" Pairing... As Fulham has Discovered... Jedi's Quirky Speed and Ream's Steady Slowness, Really do Complement each other.!!!
Congrats Tim, Keep on Truckin'
Given the range of numbers here, would rate Sargent 7 at least. Shaq Moore was a shocking liability. Love me some USA grit!
Would much rather see Scally get that Experience, but Moore has a Mission... Create a "Black Hole" in that Quadrant, and he Does It...
Nothing Goes In, or Comes Out of that Zone, when he comes IN...
It's like Playing 10 vs 10
Kevin,
I am with you. Sargent was the glue to the attack for us and will continue to be. It is why he should start every game. Hoping his foot is not bad off.
Santi, we should use Scally from the outset. Will help in the attack and still stifle attacks. Biggest thing is he can stay deeper to link play with the midfield and fowards. This will then allow him to overlap for better attacks down the leftside.
Balla;
at this Stage the only way we see Scally, is if Jedi goes goes Down, or if Dest is Completely Gased and we are Behind.
It might be interesting to have him Start for Jedi, vs Holland, play a half and then bring in Jedi, for the 2 nd half and OTs
I think for the first time Berhalter managed a complete game under pressure. The starting of Cameron-Vickers was inspired and enabled him to sub-in Zimmerman at the crucial time. The reverse wouldn't have worked the same way. Also Sargent as striker led to a constant pressure all game on the Iranians, while not scoring, he created many opportunities. Dest had the best two way game of any USMNT player in a long time, his defense was very solid and his perfect receipt of McKennie's pass and subsequent header allowed the Stars & Stripes to advance ; now he faces his countrymen(what an anomaly). If his game again rises to the occasion the US have a chance. My one criticism Hadji Wright, not Gio Reyna? Reyna is the most gifted player on the squad after Adams and Pulisic. What gives with the coaches? Reyna CL, Wright? Although Wright gave maximum effort his unnecessary, ill advised weak shot on goal indicated his lack of top flight tactical play, which Reyna already at his young age has experienced. He should start Saturday vs. Netherlands and have CP in reserve if necessary.
John, Not sure if it was "inspired" or just OBVIOUS... CCV-EPB have been the CB Pairing in Numerous USSF Youth World Cup Teams...
EPB should be here instead of Long.!!!
Those are some interesting trivia facts, Mr. Woitalla.
Yup Val... Get Used to it.... By 2026, there won't be a Single USA player on the World Cup Squad, from MLS
Santi: Unless MLS transforms magically its level of play next year. LOL.
Yeah Bob, with Ronaldo and Messi coming... Level of US Players in the League will Improve... Of course those will be 16 year Old Academy Players, as Anyone worth their Salt, will be Sold Overseas, as Soon as they Turn 18... Aaronson Jr, Slonina, Mihalovic, etc, etc, etc...
Santi, did anybody's level of play improved in the MLS with Zlatan playing....We don't necessarily need a Messi and or Ronaldo, although it's nice to see, the MLS needs a lot more players who are good and don't have to be a Messi or Ronaldo quality to influence our soccer to a better quality...
This is not to say that the MLS did not have a hand in developing some of those players, it's just that when a player developed here, is ID'd as talent, their value goes beyond what the MLS will allow teams to pay, given their CBA and the rules their franchisees are required to adhere to GAM, TAM, Caps, etc, those things don't exist abroad. So it's OK that the WC team is comprised so, and actually, it's what we should expect and hope for, until the MLS exits it's bubble.
Generally, a nice team effort on defense kept the sheet clean. You can hardly criticize the play or stategy. With that said, the USA still needs to keep improving the teamwork to get any knockout wins. Holding a 1 goal lead gets more difficult in the next round. Let's hope that can happen. This back four was strong. Let them start and use Zimmerman prn.
The midfield has been the USA's strength. Keep them intact.
On offense, the USA did just enough to win. It either takes a defensive blunder or exceptional attacking tactics to score; the latter was the case today. The midfield accurately delivered the ball to Dest who made a great assist to the charging CP who also made the goal by sacrificing his body. In the knockout stage, play like this will also create goals.
Probably giving CP the first half off against the Dutch will allow Jesus to get some valuable time up front, and if CP is needed and can play, he can come on at halftime. I don't see a Reyna sighting likely; what's up with that? Sargent and Weah earned starts.
GB has done a fair to good coaching job, but we are not getting great results from our subs. Still, he gets credit for getting us to the knockout stage and part of the credit for only allowing one PK goal.
Go USA!
If CP and Sargent are not 142 minutes Fit, I would not be Surprised to see Gio -Jesus-Weah Start versus Holland.
Got to think about who we want on the Field for PKs at The End.!?!?!?
Jesus does Not Play in the CP Position...(Tillman was the Like-for-Like sub there, but Ggg went with Morris.???)
I think there is a 6th Sub, if it goes to Overtime.???
Zimmerman deserved a rating, he was a one-man wall in the last 10 minutes (when we needed him). Good for GB to start Carter-Vickers; I think one of GB's strengths is that he's comfortable using a lot of players, and that gives players a lot of chances for success (and it also means when players don't start or come off, it's not automatically because they performed poorly; his handling of Zimmerman has been a good example of this; you bench him after the pk give away, maybe he doesn't come back in the rest of the tournament. As it is, he comes into a game that plays to his strength and he performs).
Dest was very focused; a number of occasions the Iranian players on the flank squared off against him 1 v 1 and it was pretty clear who was going to always win those battles. I think both Dest and Robinson covered their defensive responsibilities well, and still were dangerous offensively (Robinson did have a number of bad touches, which are an unfortunate part of his game, but he has greatly improved in that area).
Musah had another outstanding game, but he was really gassed at the end (and was starting to give up some free kicks because of it).
Sargent combined nicely with a lot of people in offense, justfiying his start.
I would have liked to see Reyna start (and let Weah come off the bench); I thought this would have been a better game than England or Wales. We could have used his skill and creativity. Weah's superior speed and power were less useful today (though almost...).
Job well done.
I got to give Credit to Ggg for going to a 5-4-1...
Something he has Never Shown Before...
Sometimes he would play with 3 in the Back, but still have Wingbacks Flying Forward... Cannon would get Exposed out Wide.
By InsertingZimmermann at Sweeper, and "Lock Down Specialist" Moore and having Jedi stay back, it Took away all chance for Eye-Ray-nian Players to Land anything in the Box...4 Block In Front was Formidable and Gave Wright Numerous Chances to "Kill OFF" the Game... Too Bad he didn't Seize the Moment
Good point about Gio Reyna and Tim Weah reversing. Amazing legacies those two maybe they should be starting together. Both show exceptional skill and most importantly a sense of always being goal forward.
If there "Truly" is a Muscular Issue for Gio, I always preferred to Start the Injured Player... If they can't go "Long" you always have the "Healthy" Back-Up Player to finish the Game... If you have to Sub Off a SUB; you have Wasted a Player.
Mums the word on Gio with the pundits. Weah has pretty much locked down the open wing spot. Maybe Gio's not taking it so well. GB is known to be cut from the old school clothe, he likes to stimultate competition, but he does not tolerate drama. It will come out in time, for now, don't expect anything to change.
Klinsman was right
Borders, Language, Culture.???
Great Result...Needless Desparation,
Can't say enough about Pulisic giving it all to get on the end of the Dest cross. So happy we are in the knockout stage. Now lets look at this more objectively.
A. Robinson was the worst player on the pitch again. The US has no threat down the left side. He was exposed again that he cannot play with the ball at this feet and ended up being another defender for Iran in our attacks because of his lack of skills with the ball. He killed almost every attack down the left side and his best play on offense was to square the ball back. GB needs to start Scally....you give up pace....however his ability to connect play from the back to attack will more than make up for it. Scally plays solid defense in the Bundesliga day in and day out. Who knows how many chances we could have created to give us a 2-0 goal cushion?
Carter-Vickers was a huge difference in the backline. His ability to pass and snuff out attacks was crucial to limited Iran's chances. Was not always in the right spot as Adams barked at him more than any other player, but the combination with Ream was good. I concur with Santi 100% we should have brought Palmer-Brown instead of Long. We will need athletic CBs against the NL or any other team we may meet now.
Sargent's forward play allowed for attacking buildup and keeps pressure on the CBs because of his movement off the ball and he is dangerous when he receives it. Angry and Wright for not playing with more intensity to win balls and be more dangerous.
Credit to GB for getting the team to the knockout stage. However, we are fortunante. You don't take your foot off the gas with a 1-0 lead when you are dominating play. You think he would have learned that lesson in the Wales game. Going completely defensive at 65 minutes was a huge mistake. This is just ludicrous to not play to your strengths.
On to Saturday.
CCV was Huge Difference... The Eye-Ray-nians where Flummoxed...
They had Game Planned for forcing the Ball to Zimm and then Stealing Off his Play...
CCV has Learned how to Pass the Ball Quickly, Firmly, Safetly over 20, 30, even 40 yards if you watch his Celtic Games.
Never Gets Caught in Possession or gives a 5 yard "Hospital Ball"
And his Ability to "Body" Players Off the Ball without Fouling is Pretty Unique.... Mini-Fridge on Speed ... He's A Lot Faster than People think.
I feel Good about Game with Holland;
To me they are Weak and Anaemic Looking.
Except for their FOOTBall player Forward.
We can Trap them Many Times in a GegenPress.
Turns Out, the Dutch are the Most effective team at the GegenPress.,.
Going to be a PRESSING WAR.!!!
Turn-Overs in your Own Third will be the Difference...
I doubt that CP will Start...
I might play 4-4-2 with Both Wright and Haji up Front...
Play Over the Top Early...
Get To 2nd Ball with Aaronson, McKenNIE, Adams, Musah in the Midfield.
Still let Dest and Jedi WingBack and Cross to the 2 #9s
I agree with your assessment of Tim Ream. I thought he was over-the-hill and did not have a place on a young team, but he has proven himself to be rock solid on defense thus far. Although Miles Robinson probably would have started but for his injury, Tim has been the steady hand on the tiller for our defense that, over three games, has not conceded a single goal from the run of play. That's an incredible accomplishment for a USMNT where defense was usually it's Achilles heel. Let's keep it up!
I'm glad we won for I much rather would see USA play Holland, because we need game experience for our younger guys. I hope Brazil wins the WC, hands down, for they deserve it for playing exciting and enjoyable soccer. As a matter of fact, Brazil doesn't even need a coach, other than needing to put in subs at times. The final should be between Spain-Brazil....Brazil winning it is a shot in the arm for nice technical, offensive ,smart soccer.
I'm bored watching Holland playing such a defensive formation 5-3-2 because we lack good attackers. The last attackers we had of any quality was van Persie and Arjan Robben. Today, we're scraping the barrel in Holland.
I would never have believed if someone stated that we would qualify to go to the next round by only having to score 2 goals in the first round.
Again, as in the Iran game, I see the mistakes our wings continually are making. Both Weah and CP run back to midfield or further or further back to want the ball. I can't believe this coaching staff doesn't recognize the consequences . First of all, the Golden rule of playing Wing is to stay deep as possible downfield, which means you create more space for your midfielders to operate in!!! Next, by staying far downfield as possible, you prevent the outside back from attacking forays going forwards. The wing is placed in a 1v1 advantage ,making it also possible if any mistake is made by the back for the wing to take advantage of his speed by being close to the goal. OUR WINGERS STRENTH LIES IN THEIR SPEED CLOSE TO THE GOAL NOT AROUND MIDFIELD.
Instead, when Wings move back to midfield they are GIVING UP THEIR SPACE UP FRONT for it allows the opponent's back to move up into and thus creates not only more opponents around midfield but also cramps our space for the build up and midfield movement. The Wings usually as result have to deal with 2 defenders, all of a sudden, which is the opponent's midfielder(s) and his direct back. I can't think of anything more STUPIDITY then how are wings play and are taught.
Sargent ,to me, is the MOST IMPROVED, player on the team. You can tell his stint playing as outside halfback has improved his overall level of play. He now has 'body' for he doesn't lose the ball with his back facing goal, able to lay off passes, and more importantly by being a 'station' to pass to it allows the midfielders less risk in moving up to go on attack and this is one of the reasons why midfield play has improved. Furthermore, he looks for his teammates to pass to and score himself. He's so much rounded in the past year while CP has not improved. Sargent ,should be the first to put on the front and then go from there.
The problem with Sargent is that no one looks for him to pass to ,it is always the same players who get the ball, A.Robinson, CP or Weah. In the first 25min. Sargent never touched the ball....
BTW. MANCHESTER UNITED IS LOOKING AT PULISIC AS A LOAN PLAYER.....At least he'll learn someting there playing for an Ajax coach as well learn from 3 Ajax players in which one of them is the Brazilian attacker Antonee
Frank, I read your comments about Sargent over time, but had not really seen him play. You were right - improved in all aspects of his game. His first touch in traffic was impressive. For me he had a seminal game, he pretty much locked down that position, if he stays fit. GB likes to stimulate competition, so he'll still have to compete for the job. For sure, that was his coming out game. True also your observation, he is taking care of others, but others are not taking care of him, maybe he needs to improve a bit on the timing of his movements, and of course the strength of some of our forward players is not in their passing touch or range, so the movement and timing of become all the more important for the position.
Humble , I can't agree with you more. He needs more playing time and experience....
Franc,
Our wingers come back because that his how GB makes them play in his system. It is not CP, Weah, Aaronson or any other winger on the pitch. GB sends the FBs flying up the sideline forcing the wingers to come back to play midfield and with back to goal. This is what has been and will continue to drive me bat shit crazy. We can do this on the right side when Dest is in because McKennie, Dest and Weah are interchangeable over there. Does not work on the left because "Jedi" can't play with the ball at his brick feet let alone make passes in tight spaces. You are correct, it is impossible to say why the coaching staff continues to take our most dangerous players away from goal when we should give them the ball facing the goal with ovelapping runs on the outside of them.
The reason Adams had to commit a tactical foul and earn a yellow was because Ream was beaten badly after stepping forward into midfield on Iran's first counter following the goal. Adams had no choice but to cover for his now out of position center back. After the play was whistled dead, he very justifiably yelled at Ream and over to Berhalter. Adam's was correcting both center backs' position frequently as they were giving to much space to Iran's forwards to receive the ball and turn.
I would Love to See Adams as a Sweeper.!!!
Santi, Yes ,we do need a sweeper but I"m not sure adams is the one. I prefer Dest for he has better skills and abilities and thinks more the game...have you ever see him lose the ball by a bad pass....perhaps use Adams as rightback which was his prior position....
Correct you are MinB;
Amazingly enough... Ream has only made 2 Mistakes....
The YC be got for Adams,
And when he didn't get Outside to Cover for Jedi when the Ball got Thrown over his Head for the Cross that led to the Zimmerman PK play in the Wales game.
Kudos to Ggg for seeing the Problem and going with a 3rd CenterBack and playing a 5-4-1 to Close Out the Game, Instead of 4-4-2.
Ream knows that he gets Exposed out Wide and with only 1 CB partner, he was Afraid to go outside and help on the Quick Throw In...by Inserting Zimmermann at Sweeper, Ream was Pushed Out Further Left, but Not Exposed, because Jedi was TOLD to Stay Home.
Sargent has improved tremendously in the last year, not necessarily as a scorer but definitely as a playmaker. He's far and away our best 9 and deserved a higher rating. Ream has been a rock and has been one of the best defenders in the entire Cup. Dest had the most outstanding overall game yesterday. GB's decision to start CCV was brilliant. Our midfield's work rate is incomparable. Their skill level is not but the effort has made up for it. Weah's pace causes problems for every team that we play. Pulisic is Pulisic - not physically gifted but definitely driven and with ball skills that the others (most of them) don't have. All-in-all the team's results bode well for the 2026 Cup (they've already done well for this Cup).