USMNT - ‘23 and beyond

44slayer said

100% on this. Pepi wouldve gotten flustered, took 2 less dribbles and kicked it right at Ochoa. The patience to wait for his spot was totally different. But thats a lot of the problem we have in the final third, guys just flip out and cant finish. I think you can play Pepi and Balogun together. Their games are different enough to make it work and 2 of your 3 best finishers are on the field.

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id love to see 2 viable strikers on field - 1. it gives you more attacking prowess and 2. now your opponent ( canada in this case ) HAS to adjust their formation to address it. If they like to play 4 back, now probably 5- and if they arent all that used to it, mistakes can/will appear.

The other aspect i enjoyed was our press. we didnt let up til really 2nd half when up 2-0. And it was "in unison" no one switched off. Put pressure on Mex to distribute quickly and precisely which they had some issues doing. Made them think vs just play. Loved it.

And finally - CP - FINALLY making defenders tight on him MISS and PEW- off to races. ( and dang he still got wheels ) I think there is one other player who has this ability and id LOVE to see him do it more- Musah. He is silky on the ball. Understands leverage/angles very well and takes false 1/2 steps to make defender commit and then "bloop"- he gone.