The USMNT, just like all of the teams that are heading to the World Cup are looking to tweak their roster and their style of play with their upcoming friendly games this weekend. Gregg Berhalter’s team is going to be facing Japan, and Saudi Arabia in their upcoming friendly games. The Saudi Arabia game makes a lot more sense when you take into account that the USMNT has Iran as one of their rivals in the World Cup. If the Saudi Arabia team is expecting to get a sense of what Mexico will bring to the table in the World Cup by facing the US they probably haven’t watched a lot of Concacaf games. Despite the fact that Mexico, and the US share a confederation their styles of play are completely different.
This brings us to the point that we’re trying to make, and why we are questioning exactly what Gregg Berhalter is looking for out of these friendly games. The USA’s game against Japan can certainly help him sure up his roster heading into November’s tournament. Japan though is not necessarily a great sparring partner when you’re getting ready to face England, and Wales in the World Cup. Both of the British teams aim to be physical squads that mainly feature a very direct style of play. Japan is a light fast team with much smaller players. If this was a boxing fight the USMNT was preparing for it’s hard to justify Japan as a sparring partner even if you’re looking at both games as preparation for Iran. Realistically what can Gregg Berhalter take from these games?
Will The US Keep Its 4-3-3 Formation In The World Cup?
The key to the US’ success in the World Cup may very well be their ability to be a solid defensive team with a mean counterattack in that 4-3-3 system. Tim Weah, and Christian Pulisic seem to be locks to play upfront on the wings, regardless of who plays at the number 9 spot. Weston Mckennie is potentially the only lock in midfield. Although he’s shown more offensive talent than defensive security. It’s going to be fascinating to see who accompanies him in midfield.
What you don’t want particularly against teams like England and Wales is to stretch your midfield out too far to where they are always caught out of position. Expect the US to not apply a full press, at least to start the games with England and Wales. That defensive midfield area is going to be key to their aspirations helping out the back line, and also showing up on those counters. If he sees the team stretch itself out too far though he may very well go to 4-4-2, especially if he doesn’t find that striker that he’s seemingly still looking for.
Which Positions Is Berhalter Going To Be Looking At The Most?
Berhalter has seemed content to mix things up with his starting 11 throughout his whole tenure. We can’t really say that he’s got a ton of spots locked down. Starting from the back, goalkeeper for the USMNT is still an enigma. Zack Steffen was a sure bet to start between the sticks for the Americans in Qatar. That’s not necessarily the case anymore at all. We’ve said that Tim Weah, and Christian Pulisic are set to start for the USMNT, but what happens if Gio Reyna is healthy? There’s no set number 9 on the team, maybe Tim can slide inside to get Gio on the wing. Ricardo Peppi has fallen off the map as of late. While it’s true that the USMNT has more options in this generation than potentially ever before, the lack of continuity in the squad over the last few months could be something that comes back to bite them. At this point Berhalter is still looking for answers in many spots on the field. That’s just not ideal so close to the World Cup.
