Jordan Siebatcheu Leads USA Past Honduras, into CONCACAF Nations League Final
Jun 4, 2021
United States' Christian Pulisic (10) moves the ball against Honduras' Kevin Álvarez during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer final Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
It took nearly 89 minutes for a goal, but it came just in time for the United States.
Jordan Siebatcheu's header in the dying moments of Thursday night's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal gave the United States a 1-0 win over Honduras and advanced them to the final.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 4, 2021
The Americans await the winner of Mexico vs. Costa Rica. But Thursday's performance was a mixed bag from the United States.
On the one hand, the defense stood tall and kept Honduras from finding the back of the net. And in the first half particularly, the United States created some nice scoring opportunities:
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 4, 2021
On the other hand, this was hardly a convincing performance given the talent disparity between these teams. Yes, many of the star Americans are young, but this was a game in Colorado against a Honduras side the U.S. should be able to handle, and it came down to the final minute.
Credit to Honduras, who played aggressively and pressed well. They deserve credit for the tight affair too. And despite that, perhaps a more clinical United States side puts this game away earlier.
"I missed too many chances," Gio Reyna told Nico Cantor on CBS Sports' postgame coverage, an assessment that wasn't only true of him.
"Gio, it was a very physical game, were you expecting that?" Gio Reyna is asked on TUDN.
For much of the second half, it appeared this game was heading to extra time. The chances dried up for the Americans. Christian Pulisic was mostly a non-factor. The midfield didn't control the pace of play. It wasn't pretty.
Winning while not pretty is very important for any group especially a young one. It also doesn’t mean you can’t demand more either. Why the conversation is always both can’t be true doesn’t make sense. This group needs another big game together and they get that Sunday. #USMNT
FT USMNT 1:0 Honduras. Nearly went to penalties, but late Siebatcheu goal from McKennie pass makes the difference. Underwhelming performance overall from US, which will need to be better in the final.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) June 4, 2021
Mexico will shred this USMNT if they put in a performance like that against them. Better wake up, folks.
1. Brooks was MOTM and massive 2. Very disappointed in Dest. Zero impact. 3. Sieb really fits this team well. Jozy-lite 4. Reyna was really good. Pulisic can't fade like that 5. Launch Yueill to the sun
This effort would be a 3-1 loss to El Tri. Step up.
Yes, the #usmnt won. But it was also given a lesson on what life will be like in competitive #Concacaf fixtures. US got so little out of the midfield, especially in second half. On the plus side, the US did grind it out. On to the final.
A win's a win. But with a dangerous Mexican side potentially lurking for Sunday's final, Thursday's performance won't be good enough to win the Nations League.
The USMNT needs to find another level, and quickly.
USMNT vs. Honduras: Nations League Odds, Live Stream and TV Schedule
Jun 3, 2021
Uruguay's Giorgian De Arrascaeta, right, controls the ball as United States' Josh Sargent (19) gives chase during the first half of a friendly soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The United States men's national team players who achieved a wide array of success on the European club level this season will soon attempt to win a trophy on the international stage in Denver.
The USMNT is one of four North American nations fighting for the CONCACAF Nations League crown. The Americans face Honduras in Thursday's opening match. Mexico vs. Costa Rica will follow.
Gregg Berhalter's team is coming off a 2-1 friendly defeat to Switzerland that goalkeeper Zack Steffen and playmaker Christian Pulisic missed because of their participation in the UEFA Champions League final. Pulisic, Steffen, Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie are among the USMNT players who won trophies in Europe in the recently concluded season.
While there are plenty of stars on the USMNT roster, it will only go as far as its defense takes it, and it needs a second center back to step up alongside John Brooks. The vacancy was created by the Achilles injury Aaron Long suffered in the early part of the Major League Soccer season.
If the USMNT shores up its defense, it should get past a Honduran side led by Maynor Figueroa and Alberth Elis.
USMNT vs. Honduras Info
Date: Thursday, June 3
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TUDN
Live Stream: Paramount+
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): United States -235 (bet $235 to win $100); Honduras +900 (bet $100 to win $900); Draw +300
Preview
Berhalter has three options to choose from to fill his center back void, and all have different types of international experience.
Tim Ream is 33 and has 43 caps, Matt Miazga is coming off a solid season at Anderlecht and owns 21 appearances, while Mark McKenzie has made three appearances in red, white and blue.
McKenzie may be the best option for mobility next to Brooks, and if he were to start, it would continue a rise over the past year for the 22-year-old. He won the MLS Supporters' Shield with the Philadelphia Union, secured a transfer to Belgian side Genk and impressed over his first few months in Europe.
If Berhalter opts for a more experienced option, Miazga should be the choice. It could be hard for him to trust Ream, who has rotated between center back and full back during his time at Fulham.
Dest and Reggie Cannon should start on the defensive flanks. That could lead to Cannon going head-to-head with his Boavista teammate Elis, whom he squared off with while the two played for FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo in MLS.
The midfield selection process is fairly easy with McKennie, Pulisic and Gio Reyna all in the squad. L.A. Galaxy's Sebastian Lletget should join them because of the success he has had in the Berhalter era. He scored his fifth goal since November in the loss to Switzerland.
Scoring may be an issue for the USMNT because of the lack of experience up front. Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah are the only true forwards with more than 10 caps for the USMNT. Pulisic is listed as a forward on the roster, but he will line up in a midfield position.
Sargent only scored seven goals in 37 matches for Werder Bremen and failed to help the club stay up in the Bundesliga.
Weah finished with five goals across 37 games during Lille's Ligue 1 title-winning season. He has a single goal in 11 USMNT appearances compared to Sargent's five in 15. The Breman striker scored on three occasions in the CONCACAF Nations League group stage.
Berhalter could take a risk by starting Jordan Siebatcheu, but he has less familiarity with the USMNT's system since he only committed to the squad earlier this year.
Honduras comes into Thursday without a win in its past four matches, but it has players that can frustrate the Americans, especially in their positions of weakness. Elis was one of the most consistent forwards in MLS during his time with Houston. He bagged nine or more goals in three straight seasons and then found the back of the net on eight occasions in his first Primeira Liga season with Boavista.
The defensive experience of Figueroa, who has 165 caps, and Ever Alvarado could be used to limit the chances the USMNT forwards receive.
Pulisic, Reyna and others can create as many chances as they want, but if they do not have a lethal No. 9 in front of them to finish, the USMNT could struggle to put away Honduras.
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Sebastian Lletget Scores as USMNT Lose 2-1 to Switzerland in Friendly
May 30, 2021
ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND - MAY 30: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Sebastian Lletget of USA celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the international friendly match between Switzerland and United States on May 30, 2021 in St.Gallen, Switzerland. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
The U.S. men's national team showed its promise Sunday in a friendly against Switzerland, with the team's young talent showing bursts of ability and upside.
But sloppy defending cost the team, as the Swiss pulled out a 2-1 win at Kybun Park in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Sebastian Lletget scored the game's opening goal for the United States, only to see Switzerland strike back with goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Steven Zuber.
It took the United States just five minutes to get on the board, as the ball made its way to Lletget in the box after a series of lucky bounces. He didn't waste the opportunity:
But the lead was short-lived. Ricardo Rodriguez's long-range effort in the 10th minute took an unfortunate deflection off Reggie Cannon and beat Ethan Horvath, equalizing the match.
Rodriguez could have had a brace in the 40th minute after a controversial handball called on Sergino Dest in the box, but he fluffed the penalty:
Here's that penalty kick miss from Ricardo Rodriguez.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2021
Zuber made it 2-1 after the United States scrambled to clear the ball out of the box in the 63rd minute. For all of the early positives Sunday, the USMNT's back line left much to be desired.
Ugh.#USMNT conceding a goal where the defending / clearing looked WAY too much like my Sunday pickup game. (psst: that ain’t good)
But there were positives for the young USMNT side to build on going forward. The team's pressing, buzzing approach allowed the players to control the tempo, namely in the first half.
Love the way this US team is pressing and winning the ball in dangerous spots.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) May 30, 2021
They weren't static in attack, either, with players like Dest and Gio Reyna, among others, getting excellent chances on goal.
That @Sergino_Dest skill nearly pulled us back ahead...
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2021
The high press forces a turnover and Gio Reyna freezes Yann Sommer only to see his effort ping off the post. pic.twitter.com/qGHVNNc1kK
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2021
It’s refreshing to see this team play. You can see the progress in this methodology put into play by Berhalter. There are interesting, complex movements that are a key part of the modern game.
They’ve come a long way. And they’re just kids. There’s been growth, credit to that
A couple of bounces one way or another and perhaps the USMNT draws or wins this game. There were goals in this game for the United States.
But Switzerland carved the USMNT defense to shreds in the second half, and were it not for a few timely Horvath saves and less-than-clinical finishing from the Swiss, perhaps the deficit would have been far greater for the Americans.
FINAL- Switzerland 2, #USMNT 1. Pretty ugly second half for the USA. Swiss are a solid team, but the Americans offered little attacking threat, and the 2nd-half defending was pretty atrocious at times.
Not exactly the confidence-builder you want heading into Nations League.
The game lacked an intensity without an atmosphere but the 2nd half was alarming to an extent at how easy the Swiss created chances at a high level. That was your "measuring stick" for the @USMNT and not sure any "raving reviews" other than Horvath. #USMNT
Switzerland 2-1 #USMNT FT. The game lacked intensity. Pretty good first half but the team was disjointed in the second half. Lletget, Aaronson, McKenzie, Horvath, Reyna (in the first half) were all among the better players.
Takeaways #USMNT 🇺🇸- 1) Too much space in defensive 3rd, especially around Dest. He needs help or he can't play there. 2) The press makes opponents uncomfortable. Brendan Aaronson becoming important figure. 3) Horvath was good. Took 1 off face for team, guessed right on pen.
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) May 30, 2021
Ultimately, a friendly is just a friendly. But there's little doubt that this young USMNT side has some major question marks to answer in the next year in the build up to the 2022 World Cup, namely in the back.
USMNT vs. Switzerland: 2021 Friendly Odds, Time, Live Stream and TV Schedule
May 30, 2021
United States's Gio Reyna, left, celebrates with United States's Sergino Dest after scoring his side's opening goal during an international friendly soccer match between Northern Ireland and United States, at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
The United States men's national team begins a loaded two-month slate Sunday with a friendly against Switzerland.
The squad, comprising mostly European-based players, will face Switzerland in St. Gallen for what will be a UEFA Euro 2020 tune-up for the home side.
After Sunday's game, the USMNT will head to Denver for the CONCACAF Nations League final four. That competition resumes Thursday with a semifinal meeting with Honduras.
The USMNT is also preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is set to take place in July on home soil. Some of the participants in Sunday's friendly and the Nations League may not be in that squad.
USMNT vs. Switzerland Info
Date: Sunday, May 30
Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN.com or ESPN app
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): Switzerland -139 (bet $139 to win $100); USMNT +485 (bet $100 to win $485); Draw (+235)
Preview
The USMNT will play Sunday without two of its most prominent stars.
Zack Steffen and Christian Pulisic were in Porto, Portugal, for the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. They will join the squad ahead of the matches in Denver.
With the No. 1 goalkeeper likely not available, USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter should turn to Ethan Horvath in net. David Ochoa is the third goalkeeper on the roster. Horvath could use some playing time after sitting behind Simon Mignolet at Club Brugge this season, making just three appearances across all competitions.
Ochoa is a first-team starter for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, but he has not played in goal for the senior team yet. He was the goalkeeper for the U23 squad that failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
Even without Pulisic, the USMNT has plenty of playmakers to call upon, including Borussia Dortmund's Gio Reyna, Lille's Timothy Weah and Juventus' Weston McKennie.
If the creative players conjure some significant chances, they need an in-form forward to finish off those opportunities. Perhaps the most intriguing forward on the USMNT roster is Jordan Siebatcheu, who recently committed to play for the States.
Siebatcheu netted 15 goals across all competitions for Young Boys, including three in the UEFA Europa League. USMNT fans did not know much about the 25-year-old forward prior to this season, and he should receive a chance to prove what he can do in red, white and blue.
Daryl Dike, who is competing for minutes up top with Siebatcheu, among others, has been monitored closely since he went on loan from Orlando City to Barnsley in the English Championship. Dike earned a call-up after scoring nine times in 19 matches during the Tykes' failed attempt at promotion to the English Premier League.
Even if Siebatcheu and Dike earn minutes Sunday, they are not guaranteed to be out in open space, like they were many times during the club season. Switzerland produced clean sheets in two of its past three home games and has allowed multiple tallies once in its past five contests.
The Swiss are gearing up for an Euro 2020 group with Wales, Italy and Turkey. They have one more friendly against Liechtenstein ahead of their opener with Wales on June 12.
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri from Liverpool are the two most notable names on the roster, but Switzerland has a handful of lethal forwards that should test the USMNT defense. Haris Seferovic, Admir Mehmedi and Mario Gavranovic all have more than 10 goals on the international level, and five of the forwards on the roster have more than 10 caps.
In comparison, the USMNT's most experienced forward on Sunday's roster is Josh Sargent, who has four goals in 13 international matches. That inexperience up top could cost the USMNT in St. Gallen, and it one of a few reasons why Switzerland is favored to win.
A loss would not hurt the USMNT as long as it performs well, but a win or draw would be viewed as a success given Switzerland's stature.
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Winners and Losers of the USMNT's International Friendlies
Mar 28, 2021
For the first time in 2021, the United States men's national team played matches in Europe, giving head coach Gregg Berhalter access to most of his first-choice starting lineup.
While Weston McKennie missed the camp with a slight injury, Christian Pulisic, John Brooks, Sergino Dest, Giovanni Reyna, Daryl Dike, Josh Sargent, newly committed Yunus Musah and more joined for the 4-1 win against Jamaica on Thursday and 2-1 victory versus Northern Ireland on Sunday.
Despite the results, the Americans were not great against either team. They struggled to get on track in the first match and needed a deflected Reyna effort to get on the scoreboard in the second. But the team showed progress and a growing understanding of how to play together, especially notable considering how little time (none, in some cases) the guys had spent together.
There's a packed scheduled going forward, and Berhalter will need multiple rosters. He'll have more options to consider after the past 180 minutes. Here are the winners and losers of the USMNT's international friendlies.
Winner: Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest on the left
Against Jamaica, Christian Pulisic took the field for the Americans for the first time in 526 days. He wasn't great—for stretches he was trying to do too much—but he was in uniform. That's a win. And there were moments and flashes where he looked like the dynamic Pulisic he's been. He captained the squad versus Northern Ireland, showing more of the same before drawing a penalty on a broken play and converting in the second half.
Dest, meanwhile, lined up at left fullback against the Reggae Boyz, was the best player on the field and took matters into his own hands in the 34th minute:
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2021
Berhalter found something by putting two of his most creative players on the same side, combining with each other. Both Pulisic and Dest can beat defenders off the dribble, both see the game well and move into space, and both can unlock an opponent and change a game in an instant. Together, they are more potent.
The issue is that neither one particularly plays on the other end. Pulisic doesn't always track back, and Dest doesn't really do defensive things:
Yeah this looks about right for Sergino Dest. He got the elite attacking stats but just ignore the defensive section imo pic.twitter.com/u3gSYGIPUl
Against most of CONCACAF, that lack of defensive prowess won't matter, but it's not ideal when the level of competition increases.
Loser: Antonee Robinson
"The Dest at Left Back in Games Where the Americans Will Have Most of the Ball" scenario is going to need a more concise name. DALBIGWTAWHMOTB, perhaps? Regardless, that will be most of World Cup qualifying, which means Dest might keep getting starts—and means Robinson could have his chances to see the field limited.
Berhalter tapped the Fulham man in the second match, and he put in an average performance. It could, and should, have been better. Robinson hit a poor cross in the seventh minute that would have led to a goal. He bungled a breakaway in stoppage time. Across two games, Robinson showed what he needed to, and nothing more.
Elsewhere, the continued emergence of the Colorado Rapids' Sam Vines means Robinson has more competition for the left-back job. And Vines, who gained prominence in MLS for his ability to stop attackers, is a better pure defender than Robinson, so he could get the call in matches where Berhalter needs a defense-first mentality.
Winner: Sebastian Lletget
With Jordan Morris injured, Lletget and Aaron Long are the players in Major League Soccer most likely to start an important game. That's a fun distinction. The Los Angeles Galaxy star tallied two against Jamaica, solidifying his place as a player who does everything well and understands the role he's asked to play.
Lletget won't be a superstar. He is a guy with positional awareness, a bit of attacking flair and a surprising amount of defensive bite.
He could, however, work on his set-piece delivery. Get it over the first man!
Loser: Zack Steffen
With the U.S. dominating the ball, the Manchester City backup didn't have much to do. Both Jamaica and Northern Ireland put just three shots on net. While Steffen made a nice save on Shayne Lavery's low effort in the second match, he needed to do better on Jamal Lowe's tally against Jamaica:
Nice finish from Jamal Lowe who gets a goal on his Jamaica debut 🇯🇲⚽️ https://t.co/mmnJbkz14J
Steffen's distribution was also lacking in both matches, missing on a number of long passes and looking nervy in possession.
While there's nothing he could have done to prevent Niall McGinn's laser, Steffen appeared, not unreasonably, like a guy who hasn't played a ton of soccer.
Winner: John Brooks
John Brooks is so good. Early in the match against Jamaica when his teammates were scuffling and flubbing their first touches, Brooks stood in the back, calmly serving as an outlet, breaking lines with his passing, and generally looking like the biggest and baddest adult on the field.
If untimely injuries hadn't limited Brooks to just 40 caps for the United States since 2013, we'd talk about him as one of the best center backs ever to wear the red, white and blue. Instead, he's that guy who scored against Ghana in Brazil.
Winner: Gregg Berhalter
Truth be told, the American manager won the week even before the games kicked off. In December 2018, he took over a program that was reeling from the epic failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. Morale was the lowest it had been in a long time.
A little more than two years later, the program is on an upswing. There are smiles at training camp; the players seem happy and committed. It's a place guys want to be.
"They welcomed me really well. In the end, we played two games really well and also had fun," Musah, who chose the U.S. over England, where he played his youth ball, told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.
Questions remain: Can Berhalter put players in position to maximize their skill sets? Is he a flexible enough coach to succeed in the international game? Will his system work with the limited time a national team coach has with his players?
But his first priority was reestablishing some faith in the American program, and that's been a success.
Sebastian Lletget's Brace Helps Lead USMNT to Win over Jamaica in 2021 Friendly
Mar 25, 2021
USA's Sergino Dest, left, duels for the ball with Jamaica's Kasey Palmer during the international friendly soccer match between USA and Jamaica at SC Wiener Neustadt stadium in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Thursday, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
The kids are all right.
A young and exciting United States men's national team roster took the field for a friendly against Jamaica on Thursday and didn't disappoint, pulling off a 4-1 win at Austria's Stadion Wiener Neustadt.
Barcelona wunderkind Sergino Dest and Red Bull Salzburg's Brenden Aaronson—both 20 years old—scored cracking goals for the USMNT in the win:
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2021
Jamal Lowe scored the lone goal for the Jamaicans.
In total, the USMNT played 11 players who are 23 years old or younger: Dest, Aaronson, Aaron Long (23), Yunus Musah (18), Christian Pulisic (22), Josh Sargent (21), Gio Reyna (18),Nicholas Gioacchini (20), Chris Richards (20), Antonee Robinson (23) and Lucas de la Torre (22).
The future is extraordinarily bright for the USMNT.
Not too long ago, it felt like if Christian Pulisic didn't play at all or play well, we weren't going to score.
Now if that happens, I can name 4 or 5 guys that can step up in his place and I love that.
FT: #usmnt prevails 4-1. Definitely some positives including Dest's play at left back and Sargent's performance up top. Berhalter getting some answers to depth questions too.
Huge respect to Josh Sargent. Creative. Hungry. But selfless to pass instead of try and prove himself with a goal. That kind of collective approach is what will move US next level
Pulisic provided his usual spark and threat going forward. Musah was incredibly composed in the midfield, showing the poise and positioning of a much older player. Reyna's creative ability and impetus going forward are impressive. Dest is a difference-maker at fullback. Sargent looked very solid as the tip of the attacking spear, setting up Aaronson's goal beautifully.
This wasn't even the United States in their final form, with players like Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah not in the squad for the team's friendly.
The world can't handle Dest, Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Musah and Adams on the field together all at once. It's a paradox that will tear humankind apart.
Granted, this wasn't a full-strength Jamaican team, and it's important not to make sweeping generalizations about a team after a friendly. But while Jamaica hardly rolled over, the USMNT's young players mostly controlled this game, showing the upside and potential that has so many of the team's supporters very excited about the future.
The next generation of USMNT stars has arrived. If they continue to develop their potential and develop chemistry together, they very well could lead the United States to new heights. Thursday was a sneak peek of what's to come.
USMNT vs. Jamaica: 2021 Friendly Odds, Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule
Mar 25, 2021
United States' Christian Pulisic in action against Cuba during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer game Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, in Washington. The U.S. won 7-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The United States men's national team returns to action on Thursday in a friendly against CONCACAF rival Jamaica, and some of the country's top young talent could be in action.
On the roster for the USMNT's two-game friendly tour in Europe includes Barcelona's Sergino Dest, Red Bull Salzburg's Brenden Aaronson, newest USMNT member Yunus Musah, Barnsley's Daryl Dike, Borussia Dortmund's Gio Reyna, Werder Bremen's Josh Sargent and, of course, Chelsea's Christian Pulisic.
Below, we'll break down all of the vital viewing details and preview the friendly.
When: Thursday, March 24 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Watchand Stream: ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas and TUDN
Preview
Will we get a chance to see Musah? That's the question on everyone's mind ahead of Thursday's match.
Regardless, his decision to wear the Stars and Stripes in his international career was a huge boost to the program the USMNT is putting together.
"I'm really into the project we have of building this new team, this new identity and trying to change the view of American soccer in the world," he told reporters Wednesday. "That really inspired me and was one of the things I really wanted to be involved in."
The United States is brimming with exciting young talent, to the point that Pulisic—who last appeared for the USMNT in Oct. 2019—is one of the more experienced players on the roster, despite being just 22 years old.
"We have a very young group—I'm starting to feel old, almost, at this point," he joked with reporters.
But Pulisic, like the USMNT supporters, is excited by the young talent.
"It's amazing to watch," he said of his teammates playing abroad. "These guys are going through similar stuff to what I go through and what I've been through and it's just awesome to see other people challenging themselves and playing at such high levels. It's really just only a good thing for our country and for our national team, of course."
Granted, all of that young talent doesn't mean much if it doesn't work well together on the pitch. Jamaica will test the young players that appear in the contest. The United States may hold a 16-3-8 edge on Jamaica in the rivalry, but the Reggae Boyz did knock off the Americans, 1-0, in a June 2019 friendly.
The USMNT responded by beating Jamaica 3-1 in the Gold Cup semifinals a month later.
The Americans beat Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in their last contest.
Prediction
The young Americans come out humming with something to prove and beat Jamaica, 4-1
Mexico Defeats USA to Win 2021 Olympic Qualifying Group
Mar 25, 2021
Mexico's Uriel Antuna, left, and United States' Aaron Herrera fight for the ball during a Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying championship soccer match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico defeated the United States, 1-0, in an under-23 matchup in the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on Wednesday.
Uriel Antuna's goal helped capture Group A for El Tri, though both Mexico and the U.S. advanced to the knockout stage ahead of Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
The Americans will face likely Group B winner Honduras in the knockout round and can lock up an Olympic bid with a victory.
Mexico, meanwhile, would face Group B runner-up Canada with the same stakes on the line.
Despite holding possession for 54 percent of the match and committing 18 fouls to Mexico's 22, the U.S. couldn't put enough pressure on the net of Luis Malagon, who needed just one save to preserve the shutout as six other U.S. attempts were off target.
Antuna's game-winner came just before halftime and proved enough for Mexico to claim a victory in Group A.
With a perfect 3-0 record and a plus-seven goal differential entering play at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, the hosts just needed to avoid getting blown out to emerge victorious in pool play. Their defensive effort did more than that; it completely stymied an American offense that had scored five goals in its first three contests.
A rematch with Mexico could be on the docket in the final should both teams win their semifinal matchups.
The United States will get its turn on that stage first, facing the Group B winner on Sunday at Jalisco Stadium.
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic Wants to Play for US Soccer in 2021 Tokyo Olympics
Mar 24, 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Chelsea FC and Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Christian Pulisic wants to represent the United States national team in the 2021 Summer Olympics if he gets the opportunity.
The Chelsea star revealed his plans to reporters Wednesday, via Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports:
"The Olympics is of course a massive honor to play in and to represent your country in an Olympics would be amazing. I am fully supporting the guys in qualifying now. It is something I’ve thought about and that I’ve wanted to play in. Obviously I can’t control exactly what goes on and what is best for me at the time and the team at the time, I can’t say. But it is something that I would like to play in."
The American men are seeking to earn a trip to Tokyo after failing to qualify in either of the last two Olympic cycles. The squad has already clinched a spot in the semifinals of the ongoing qualification tournament and will need a win Sunday to qualify.
Olympics are considered a youth tournament on the men's side, restricted to players under 24 years old this year (usually U-23, but the event was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Even though the 22-year-old forward is eligible, he is also a vital member of the senior team, which has numerous competitive matches upcoming. The team is set to take part in the CONCACAF Nations League finals in June and the Gold Cup from July 10, potentially to August 1. Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup begins in September.
The Summer Olympics will be held July 23 to August 8, which could also come near the start of the 2021-22 Premier League season, although start dates have yet to be confirmed.
It could create a hectic schedule for a player who has already dealt with significant injuries during his career.
Many of the United States' top players are still under 24 years old, including Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest. A full-strength lineup could make the Americans a favorite to win the entire tournament.
The challenge will be keeping players fresh for the entire schedule this summer.
Gregg Berhalter: US Soccer Displayed 'A Ton of Quality' in Friendly vs. Wales
Nov 12, 2020
FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, file photo, Gregg Berhalter, right, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Soccer team, instructs some of his players during drills in Bradenton, Fla. The fallout of the coronavirus pandemic could benefit the U.S. soccer team when World Cup qualifying begins in North and Central America and the Caribbean. “If we go to qualifying in empty stadiums, that’s going to change that dynamic considerably, some for the positive and some for the worse,” Berhalter said Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
The United States men's national team played to a 0-0 draw against Wales on Thursday and provided U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter good reason for optimism moving forward.
"We had a ton of quality," Berhalter said afterward. "If you add Christian [Pulisic] into that team, that would have made a difference. It is a young team, a youthful lineup, but one we can build from."
Pulisic, a midfielder for Chelsea in the English Premier League, missed the friendly after suffering a hamstring injury. Instead, the USMNT lineup boasted a number of players making their first appearances, including Giovanni Reyna, Konrad de la Fuente, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso and Nicholas Gioacchini.
The Americans held possession for 61 percent of the match and out-shot Wales 7-4 while connecting on 87.5 percent of their passes, according to Sky Sports.
That gave Berhalter an idea of what his current roster could develop into.
"I was proud of them, we are starting to see some of the energy and dynamic I have talked about," Berhalter said. "Our defensive pressing was relentless all game, it unbalanced Wales and didn't let them set into a rhythm. We had two days to work together, just one full session the day before the game and to know that and see what they did today, I was pleased."
The coach pointed to Reyna, Musah and de la Fuente, in particular, for their quality on the ball without getting lost in the moment.
Monday will give the young American stars another opportunity to impress their coach as the USMNT takes on Panama in another international friendly.
"We are still learning principles, how to take advantage of other teams weaknesses, and we didn't do that enough," Berhalter said. "But it's amazing how much ground those guys can cover in midfield."
