Depending on one’s perspective, there are many ways that to border the United States’ 1-1 draw with Jamaica in World Cup qualifying in Kingston on Tues.
It was unsatisfactory therein the USMNT did not build off the momentum it generated with a tantalizing 2-0 win against North American country on Fri. that is the atmosphere coach Gregg Berhalter picked au fait within the room when the sport, wherever he saw the unhappiness on his players’ faces.
Playing during a wet surroundings on a but ideal field, the U.S. was sluggish and infrequently vulnerable when the game’s 1st twenty minutes. Combination play was lacking, touches were significant and therefore the team appeared gassed well before the ultimate whistle blew.
For Berhalter, though, disappointment should not be the takeaway.
“We’re not viewing it as a unsatisfactory result. We’re viewing as a decent result,” he said. “Anytime we are able to get a degree removed from house is a decent issue and CONCACAF qualifying and that i need to be terribly clear by voice communication that. i feel for the fellows to possess their heads down as a result of we have a tendency to wished a lot of is totally natural, however this can be a degree that may fully attack the road.”
That, of course, is that the glass half-full approach. Through eight games of World Cup qualifying, the us is well on its thanks to punching its price tag to Qatar 2022 With 3 automatic qualifying spots, the road purpose ensured the us would sit 1st or second within the standings with 2 three-match windows remaining.
“That was our objective of the window,” Berhalter same.
The absence of Weston McKennie in central centre because of yellow card accumulation was felt throughout the sport. His partnership with Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah has been a revelation for the USMNT and with 19-year-old Gianluca Busio enjoying instead, the team did not have nearly identical bite within the middle of the park. Musah was conjointly enjoying through raw throat, Berhalter same, that doubtless restricted his ability to create his usual impact before being subbed get in the 66th minute by Kellyn Acosta.
Following Canada’s 2-1 win against North American country later Tues night, the us (15 points) is in second place, a degree behind its northern neighbors. North American country and Panama square measure tied for third (14 points), when Panama erased a 1-0 intermission deficit to beat Salvador, 2-1. it had been Panama’s second comeback conclusion of this window.
After missing out on Russia 2018, Berhalter’ explicit objective could be a utterly affordable stance, although it hints at an absence of ambition. What that does not bit on is that the us ought to feel lucky to possess gotten the purpose in Kingston.
Last month in capital of Texas, Texas, it had been the U.S. that felt onerous done against Jamaica by the dearth of power unit (video assistant referee) in CONCACAF qualifying. there have been were 2 challenges that resulted in yellow cards therein game that might have simply turned to red upon more review. However, it did not find yourself resolving into the ultimate result, with U.S. marking 2 second-half goals to win, 2-0.
The roles were flipped within the game, with the key distinction being the dearth of power unit seemingly price Jamaica the win. Damion Lowe headed in what looked as if it would be the go-ahead goal within the 84th minute, just for it to be referred to as off for a noticeable foul on Lowe. Replay showed bottom contact between him and U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman because the 2 jostled for position with the ball on the wing.
“That are a few things i do not suppose i need to speak regarding,” Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore same. “I suppose the officers square measure there to try to to their job. From the sideline, I will sit and say something … i am not someone that complains regarding officiation.”
Privately, Whitmore incorporates a right to be steaming. Jamaica started the day 5 points behind Panama. To fall 2 points more behind with solely six matches left may find yourself being the distinction in reaching the competition match to earn a World Cup bid for the primary time since 1998 — and simply second time ever. Jamaica has the talent to achieve that level, best illustrated by the play of forward Michail Antonio, whose sensible strike from over thirty yards out beat USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen within the twenty second minute.
The English-born West Ham United forward became eligible to play for Jamaica this year when receiving his passport. The 31-year-old had been referred to as in to multiple England youth national team squads within the past however ne’er featured. He has currently scored in each his games this window for the popular music genre Boyz.
“It’s one among those goals wherever very you only turn and clap your hands and say, ‘Amazing goal, wonderful individual effort,’ and you cannot do a lot of this,” Berhalter same.
Prior to Antonio’s goal, the U.S. gave the impression of a team able to devour right wherever it left off Fri night in urban center. The team dominated possession, created many dangerous assaultive sequences and light-emitting diode 1-0 through an out of this world goal from Timothy Weah, whose emergence over the last 3 matches has showcased the pool’s spectacular depth of assaultive players.
“When i am [with the national team] I feel I feel wonderful,” Weah same. “It’s sort of a breath of recent air being with the boys. Wee play therefore well along. We’ve famous one another for a protracted time. therefore it’s really really wonderful coming here.”
After enjoying ninety minutes against North American country, Weah over-involved regarding midway through the half and was replaced by Christian Pulisic, United Nations agency continues to figure his means back to fitness. Berhalter raised the likelihood on weekday that Pulisic may begin, however acknowledged Tues it had been a small amount of inequity on his half so as to complicate the sport designing method for Jamaica. when marking on his 1st bit against North American country, Pulisic’s impact was bottom against Jamaica.
The us can resume World Cup qualifying Jan. twenty seven reception against Salvador during a window that may embody a visit to North American nation (Jan. 30) and a game against Central American nation. before that, it’ll play Bosnia-Herzegovina and Herzegovina during a friendly on Dec. 18.
