USMNT - ‘23 and beyond

guidomerkinsrules said

Yeah
My tactical analysis is … ok …
But I see the essential issue is that to maintain defensive shape, the team is mostly asked to attack down the sides
I think the pairing of Gio and Balo would be strongest in the half spaces or even rte 1
I also think CP and Weah might have more opportunity as outlets on the side if defense pinches Gio/Balo

I think we have those players except that it seems we’d need defenders more like Scally who step up for 1v1 challenges

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Yep. The USMNT doesn't attack the center of the pitch near on in the box (I think the stat guys call that zone 14). It's a hard place to play and get to because it tends to take guys with skill and touch, but it's what you have to do to get to the top of the game. And we have guys that can do it at what should work at the international level. This whole run the wings thing just seems like so much old line thinking. But, maybe I'm spoiled from watching Arteta who learned most of his tactics from Pep.

But, to be fair, playing higher up the pitch, in zone 14, and with wrote passing combinations takes time on the practice pitch that international coaches seldom get. It's part of why it important to get a bunch of guys who are used to playing that style and you aren't going to get that from MLS players until the MLS drastically improves. But, that cohesion from playing similar styles at the club level are what helped Germany become dominant for a few years and what has kept Spain at the top of the game. (Having mostly players from Bayern or Barca/Real Madrid helped too.)