I caught all but the first 10 minutes of the match. Overall, until the face-off between Miazga and Lainez and then the sunsequent Red Card after, the US was listless with few ideas how to get the ball through the midfield against a very young Mexican team, which surprised me. They need more energy and bite, such as a Dempsey like personality. The scrum and the Red Card really changed to game.
Steffen - Busting his but to become the #1 US keeper, good for him considering there's a lot of competition now in the mix. For the Gld Cup down the road, I woudl like to see Howard and Guzan around just to serve as a mentor, especially on distribution and the mental side.
Moore - Did his job again. Does need to work forward a bit more.
Miazga - Keep fighting young man.
Trapp - I expected him to be over-matched against a veteran Brazil team, against an equally young Mexican team, no. He's does not appear to have the ability to run that central midfield role going both ways by himself.
Weah/McKinnie/Zardes/Wood - The US needs to get the ball forward to this players/postilions at lot more. Lost too many balls in the midfield or on long-shot, 50/50 passes way up field.
Robinson - Stepped-up in a big way after an awful game against Brazil, good for him.
Yedlin - Still the best US back who also works his way forward well.
There were some odd coaching choice, too. Lichaj is not a left back, which made the US team really vulerable on his side of the field and also limited the opportunity to connect with Weah. Not sure why Acosta was on the outside, even after Grene came-on. Much rather see him in the middle with McKennie and Green on the outside. I am also very glad that McKennie's injury does not appear to be serious as originally feared as it looked like it was a non-contact knee injury. Overall, I'd rather see a 4 man-back line and 5 midfielders with 2 CDM's to help distribute the ball and the commons sense to stay back when one of the back pushes forward to cover, 2 wingers (McKennie, Weah, Green, etc.) to flash speed and stretch-out the field, an offensive minded CAM (Pulisic) to quarterback things up front and then a holding forward (Altidore, Wood, Sarget, etc.) to serve as a pest and point-man up top.
Also on that note, when the heck is USSF going to pick a coach? Its a huge decsion and right now, it seems to be held hostage by the MLS season, which is not the right optic.
As for Mexico, Lainez is going to be a royal pain in the arse for a long-term to come. I respect that.
As for Zaldivar, a studs-up, late tackle over the ball into the defender's leg is a straight red is just about any game. A for being dirty, in light of Mexico's on-field antics, fan behavior (how many times as FIFA fined them for their homophobic chant?), etc, its not even worth responding to.
Mexico's Zaldivar: U.S. tried to play 'dirty game'
PS - Any catch the Neymar picked-up a Yellow for simulation and ranted about it saying it was disrespectful. Just sad.
Neymar diving: 'It has to end' - Brazil captain claims 'lack of respect' after yellow card for diving in win over El Salvador | Goal.com
