3 things I learned on the USA bench while preparing for the World Cup in Senegal

Last Saturday’s victory over Senegal was a breath of fresh air for the United States men’s national team.

I could see it on the players as they walked onto the field and out of the tunnel. Snoop Dogg was screaming in the stadium, and there was a positive, confident energy that the Americans need to maintain their entry into the World Cup.

I could see it during the national anthem. The players were singing and concentrating instead of just having their hands on their hearts. They were locked in and I thought, “Wow, this is a team that looks ready for the World Cup, regardless of the outcome of today’s game.” »

Here’s what I learned from the victory against Senegal.

The United States brought this energy and intensity to the field, using a system that required high pressing and lots of movement. This is the style of play that coach Mauricio Pochettino expects from his team, and it’s what he got from the start against Senegal.

We saw essentially two different teams between the two halves against Senegal with 10 changes made at halftime. Sebastian Berhalter was the only starter to get minutes in the second half, in which, in my opinion, he did a fantastic job of covering so much ground in the midfield and being the workhorse in the midfield. Both formations looked good, but there were things that, of course, will need to be improved.

The biggest challenge of the World Cup will be whether the United States can maintain this 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 American coaches swearing in Spanish and pushing the team to finish each half strong. We’re almost there.

We’re almost there.
Push it. PUSH!
Press. PRESSURE!

At this point, it’s about game management. A quality opponent comes straight to the United States looking for a late goal. The keys there are mentally focused to close the match but also with intensity while maintaining the press Pochettino wants.

It’s good experience for the United States heading into the World Cup when the pressure on them to defend would be even greater. They need to know how to close out these games and be locked in mentally, physically and emotionally. These last 5 minutes of the half are where games are won or lost.

Christian Pulisic managed to silence all the questions in the press conference about his goal drought.

After more than six months without a goal for the national team, Pulisic followed up his assist on the United States’ first goal with a superb finish that allowed him to round the goalkeeper and score the second goal of the match.

Pulisic was well aware of his goal drought for the national team. He doesn’t need to hear about it from journalists or analysts making noise that he is very aware of.

People know how important Christian is to this team and that he needs to play well for the Americans to be successful this summer. This goal is now an opportunity for people to rally behind him as the tournament approaches. Every response from him in the media was about not letting the drought get him down and how the goals would come.

Pulisic told me after the match that the start of the match, two goals in the first 20 minutes, would help the team gain confidence ahead of the friendly final against Germany and the tournament. The team’s chemistry was on display in both goals, with great moves with and without the ball.

The start of the match, especially Pulisic’s goal, was perfect timing and a really positive moment for a player and a team that needed it.

Pepi and Balo. The United States’ striking partnership shined against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi had an assist and a handball for the opening goal of the first half, while Folarin “Balo” Balogun found the back of the net in the second half.

It all started with Pepi, who got the start and played a role in the Americans’ first two goals. His pass sent Pulisic to the left wing before Dest completed the move, then he put Pulisic on goal for the second.

Pepi was confident with the ball and his movements were very dynamic. He managed to open up space for players like Pulisic and Antonee Robinson on the left wing. We don’t often see Pepi starting, so this will help boost his confidence heading into the World Cup.

And then Folarin Balogun came on in the second half. He is a natural goalscorer and is very dangerous in and around the penalty area. He puts himself in very, very good positions. He has achieved his goal and poses a constant threat.

Both attackers did what they had to do. They both contributed to the attack and defense by pressing the Senegalese defense.

In 2022, the striker position was a big question mark heading into the tournament. After the Senegal game, this seems like a strong position to continue building on.