The US men’s national team triumphed 3-0 over Trinidad and Tobago within the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, as objectives from Gio Reyna, Ricardo Pepi and Antonee Robinson secured the primary leg victory.
The USMTN dominated possession within the early phases, sustaining 76 % possion, however couldn’t capitalize on the entrance foot. Berhalter’s facet performed fast passes simply exterior Trinidad & Tobago’s penalty space, usually sending in low crosses that had been unable to discover a fellow American.
Trinidad & Tobago’s Noah Powder offered the primary massive piece of motion within the contest — however not by getting on the scoresheet or offering an help. The 25-year-old picked up his second yellow card after a late problem on Weston McKennie, giving the USMNT a one-man benefit in simply the thirty seventh minute of play.
The Soca Warriors nonetheless managed to defend valiantly all through each halves, earlier than the US lastly broke the impasse with just below 10 minutes to go in regulation. Antonee Robinson teed up an inviting cross for substitute Ricardo Pepi to latch on to, and the PSV Eindhoven participant nonchalantly flicked the ball previous Denzil Smith to place USA 1-0 up.
After selecting up an help, Robinson determined to get on the scoresheet with a long-range effort that took a slight deflection off a Trinidad & Tobago defender earlier than discovering the highest nook. Not lengthy after, Gio Reyna needed in on the goal-scoring motion and completed on the close to submit to place the up with a commanding 3-0 lead on the stroke of full time.
The efficiency was something however convincing, however the US transfer one step nearer to selecting up one other Nations League title and securing a Copa America ticket.
GK: Matt Turner – 6/10 – A bystander for nearly your complete contest, as anticipated.
RB: Sergiño Dest – 7/10 – Did not put a foot unsuitable within the first half, taking part in his half on each ends of the pitch.
CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10 – Stepped up with a pair well-timed challenges to forestall the opposition from hanging on the counter.
CB: Tim Ream – 7/10 – Progressed the ball nicely up the pitch and did not have an excessive amount of defending to do on the night time.
LB: Antonee Robinson – 9/10 – Was dependable on the defensive finish and his persistency on the attacking finish paid off late within the sport with a aim and an help.
CM: Yunus Musah – 7.5/10 – Dominated the midfield, always recycling the ball to the wingers and full-backs to kick-start assaults.
CM: Weston McKennie – 8/10 – He took up a extra superior position in the course of the park, at all times trying to play his teammates by on the broader areas of the pitch.
CM: Malik Tillman – 5/10 – Simply wasn’t his night time. He misplaced a couple of passes when the US had been knocking on the door.
RW: Gio Reyna – 7/10 – The Borussia Dortmund determine was a bit sluggish on the ball and was missing the sharpness wanted to step up because the US’ artistic outlet however was nonetheless in a position to get on the scoresheet.
ST: Folarin Balogun – 6.5/10 – Was unable to have the specified influence because of the lack of service he acquired.
LW: Kevin Paredes – 6/10 – The participant neither helped nor hindered his facet.
Substitutes
SUB: Brenden Aaronson (65′ for Paredes) – 6.5/10 – Slightly frantic on the ball at occasions, however he was desirous to get entangled and gave the Soca Warriors backline one thing to fret about.
SUB: Ricardo Pepi (65′ for Tillman) – 7.5/10 – Was a game-changer off the bench and impressed the US to the late victory with a shocking piece of talent.
Supervisor
Gregg Berhalter – 6.5/10 – His lineup choice was fairly sturdy, however the workforce regarded out of concepts for giant components of the sport towards a low block. It wasn’t the convincing win that the US wanted, and questions will proceed to be requested about his reappointment as USMNT boss.
