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LOS ANGELES STADIUM – I knew this US team could cook, but on Friday night they put a special sauce on it.
The United States gave us a little of everything, and then some, in the first half of their victory over Paraguay. Mauricio Pochettino’s team dominated from the opening whistle to the end. It was a master class.
Nobody left the stadium early. The fans wanted to give this USA team the love it deserved, and were rewarded for staying with a brilliant goal from Gio Reyna to make the score 4-1.
I want to point out that these ratings come as prisoners of the moment. It was an incredible night in Los Angeles as the United States dominated. Here we go.
starting eleven
Rating: 8
Freese had the advantage over Matt Turner, but he wasn’t called on much on Friday. But I’m being generous. He didn’t have a leading role and I don’t think he could do much in goal. From that position with Mauricio to the goal, I don’t think there was anything I could do.
Like I said, I’m feeling pretty generous today after that performance, so it’s an 8 for Freese.
Rating: 8.5
Rating: 8.5
I thought Antonee Robinson was more involved in the attack tonight, while Alex Freeman was a little more disciplined defensively on the right side and Sergiño Dest played further up the wing.
I praised Freeman during the two friendlies against Senegal and Germany in the build-up to the tournament, and he looked like he belonged tonight. A very encouraging start to the tournament by both of them.
Robinson scored a great volley against Germany last week and continued to look a threat down the left wing. He will be a key part of the American attack on that side of the field.
Rating: 8
Rating: 8
I thought Richards’ leadership was felt early in this game, especially in the first half. The match began with a half chance for Paraguay inside the area, but Chris helped calm things down with his 38-year-old teammate.
In the second half both made scoring errors. Richards gambled perhaps too much and didn’t make contact with the ball on his first attempt, and then Ream dangled a leg and didn’t make any contact with a Paraguayan player with it.
I also want to point out that the passage through the back was good. Ream had some good balls forward to find Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie in midfield, which is what he is expected to do with that left foot.
Rating: 9
Rating: 9
Rating: 9
I thought Tyler was great and Wes was great too, for different reasons.
Tyler received a silly yellow card, but covered ground and moved all over the pitch to complement Tillman and McKennie. He stayed more disciplined while allowing Tillman and McKennie the freedom to move further up the field.
I thought Weston’s energy was incredible. The way he was consistently an option in the final third was encouraging, and that was clear in the United States’ first goal. He picked up the ball in midfield and had several Paraguayan players around him, but he was able to pass the ball to Christian on the left.
The best part, however, is that Wes continued his run after playing the pass and got the United States touch before Damian Bobadilla put the ball into his own goal.
It was also an encouraging performance by Tillman, who seemed to have a great understanding with Adams.
Rating: 8.5
A lot of pressure and responsibility on your shoulders. He regained his form just before this tournament in terms of finding goals and assists stats.
Hopefully, Pulisic’s calf injury wasn’t too significant. Fantastic in the first half with his movement, creating chances, creating spaces for other players. This is how the first goal for the United States came about. He ran over two defenders and then picked out a pass to McKennie, whose attempted pass to Balogun was converted into the net.
Also of note is that Christian’s chemistry with Flo was excellent. If those first 45 minutes were any indication, the rest of the tournament better watch out.
The only reason this rating isn’t higher is because he only played 45 minutes. Hopefully he will be ready to face Australia next week.
Christian Pulisic dominated on the left wing during his 45 minutes against Paraguay. (Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Rating: 10
It’s the goals, the way he took them and also his game in general, which I thought was excellent.
Obviously, Flo’s two big finishes are worth celebrating, but there was more to her performance. The way he occupied Paraguay’s two centre-backs was great. He was strong throughout the game, holding the ball and really driving the American attack.
Flo’s move was great too. He ran very well through the channels and knew how to play well with a defender on his back. He also led the Americans’ counterpressure against the Paraguayan defense and was successful in his movements as a defender. He was one of the main reasons the Americans’ game plan worked so well.
My man Peter Crouch suggested Balogun could be gunning for a Golden Boot with such a start to his tournament. I’m encouraged to see how far he can continue his tournament from here.
Rating: 9
I love Sergiño up on the field. At first I wasn’t so sure. I liked that he started as an attacking full-back, but he thrived by having more freedom to start further up the pitch.
That Sergiño has that ability to start higher up the field really makes him a wild card. It’s unpredictable. It’s difficult to plan how to defend him because you don’t know where he’s going to play. Tonight, that caused a lot of problems for Paraguay.
Rating: 10
Premium: A 10 for coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Poch did everything right tonight.
First, he picked the right XI. This lineup looked good against Germany without Richards, and his inclusion was a great addition. Secondly, the approach of how they wanted to create space and maintain width was spot on.
The game plan was perfect, very similar to the United States tonight.
