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Last Saturday’s victory over Senegal was like a breath of fresh air for the United States men’s national team.
I could see it in the players as they walked across the field and out of the tunnel. Snoop Dogg was blasting in the stadium and there was a positive, confident energy that the Americans need to maintain heading into the World Cup.
I could see it during the national anthem. The players were chanting and concentrating instead of simply having their hands on their hearts. They were focused and I thought, “Wow, this is a team that looks ready for the World Cup regardless of the outcome of today’s game.”
This is what I learned from the victory over Senegal.
American intensity was evident from the beginning
The United States took that energy and intensity and used it on the field, using a system that required high pressure and a lot of movement. It is the style of play that coach Mauricio Pochettino expects from his team, and it is what he achieved from the beginning against Senegal.
We saw basically two different teams between the two halves against Senegal with 10 changes at halftime. Sebastian Berhalter was the only starter who got minutes in the second half, and in my opinion he did a fantastic job covering a lot of ground in the midfield and being the workhorse in the midfield. Both lineups looked good, but there were things that, of course, would have to be improved.
The biggest challenge at the World Cup will be whether the United States can maintain that intensity for the full 90 minutes. Senegal’s first goal came in the final five minutes of the first half, and the Americans nearly conceded again in the final five minutes of the second half.
I was on the field for the game and could hear the US coaching staff cursing in Spanish and pushing for the team to finish each half strong. We’re almost there.
We’re almost there.
Push it. PUSH IT!
Press. PRESSURE!
At that point, it’s all about game management. A quality rival comes straight to the United States in search of a goal at the end of the game. The keys there are to be mentally concentrated to close the game but also with intensity, maintaining the pressure that Pochettino wants.
That’s good experience for the United States in the World Cup when the pressure on them to defend would be even greater. They need to know how to shut down these games and be locked in mentally, physically and emotionally. Those last five minutes of halves are when games are won or lost.
Pulisic’s goal should generate confidence
Christian Pulisic knew how to silence any questions at a press conference about his goal drought.
After more than six months without scoring a goal for the national team, Pulisic followed up his assist on the United States’ first goal with a great shot that allowed him to get around the goalkeeper and score the second goal of the game.
Pulisic was well aware of his goal drought with the national team. He doesn’t need to hear about it from journalists or analysts who are creating a noise that he is well aware of.
People know how important Christian is to this team and that he has to play well for the Americans to succeed this summer. This goal is now an opportunity for people to support him ahead of the tournament. Every response from him in the media was about how he doesn’t let the drought get to him and how the goals will come.
Pulisic told me after the game that the start of the game, two goals in the first 20 minutes, will help the team gain confidence heading into the final friendly against Germany and the tournament. The team chemistry was demonstrated in those two goals, with great movement on and off the ball.
The start of the game, especially Pulisic’s goal, was perfect and a really positive moment for a player and a team that needed it.
The four letter strikers
Pepi and Balo. The United States’ surprising partnership shined against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi had an assist and a handball on the first goal of the first half, while Folarin “Balo” Balogun found the back of the net in the second.
It all started with Pepi, who took the initiative and participated in the Americans’ first two goals. His pass saw Pulisic advance down the left flank before Dest finished the play, and then he put Pulisic in on goal for the second.
Pepi was confident with the ball and his movements were very dynamic. He was able to open space for players like Pulisic and Antonee Robinson on the left wing. We don’t see Pepi starting often, so that will help him build his confidence as the World Cup approaches.
And then Folarin Balogun came on in the second half. He is a natural goal scorer and very dangerous in and around the 18-yard box. He puts himself in really good positions. He got his goal and was a constant threat.
Both forwards did what they had to do. Both helped in attack and defense by putting pressure on the Senegal defense.
In 2022, the forward position was a big question mark heading into the tournament. After the game against Senegal, it seems like a position of strength on which to continue building.
