With a World Cup looming, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad still have questions – can they answer vs Ecuador?
AUSTIN, Texas – For months, fans have been clamoring for Mauricio Pochettino to deploy the strongest version of the U.S. men's national team. They'll get something close on Friday. There are a few absences, yes, but, by and large, the A-Team has arrived for Friday's clash against Ecuador.
That, in it of itself, is a reason for optimism and excitement.
Yes, it's good to see names like Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie and Antonee Robinson back in the mix, but what matters most is the result. There aren't many must-win friendlies and it would be unfair to classify the Ecuador match as that for the USMNT. A must-perform friendly, then? Yeah, that's more like it.
"It's difficult to convince you all that the most important thing today is not really the games," Pochettino said. "The most important thing is what we are building here in camp. Of course, we need to play and perform and we need to win because that gives credibility to our work, but I think we all have to be together to create a dynamic of the group that makes sure, in an important way, that we can perform."
As the USMNT build towards the World Cup, this is another chance to show progress. The win over Japan last camp was encouraging, and it certainly bought Pochettino and his staff some goodwill with a fanbase that was growing tired of losing and experimenting.
There's little experimentation in this camp, but that doesn't mean there's none. There are still some decisions and moves to be made, and they could be key to the result on Friday, next week against Australia and beyond.
"I promise you that no one is sure that they are going to be on the roster of the World Cup," Pochettino said. "I don't believe it was the same way before. Today, I can promise you that all of the guys feel the need to fight to be there. That is priceless. They all feel the need to get out of their comfort zone."
GOAL looks at five keys to the USMNT against Ecuador.
GettyWhat to do with Weah?
There's been a change in system and that change brings options. No player exemplifies that more than Tim Weah, who is an option both in the attack and defense for this game and for future matches.
Weah, traditionally, has been a winger for the USMNT. He was a right winger throughout the entirety of Gregg Berhalter's tenure. He has played on the left under Pochettino. Weah started his career on the wing and, given the pace he brings to a team, it's easy to see why he's always been there from a national team perspective.
Berhalter often used the team "verticality" to describe Weah, who keeps defenses in check with his ability to get in behind them, opening up space for others. However, in recent years, Weah has played a whole lot of wingback. He featured there prominently at Juventus, consistently playing that right-wingback role during his time in Turin.
Again, it's easy to see why. While Weah does bring that pace and dribbling ability, he's never quite been a lethal goalscorer. In that sense, he's a great fit for the role, which allows him to roam up and down the sidelines.
So, with the U.S. likely playing in a five-back system, where does Weah start? Is he in attack with Pulisic, continuing to push the defense back while letting a wingback such as Antonee Robinson cut inside? Or do you start him at wingback, allowing a player like Malik Tillman to enter the XI as a creative option?
It's an interesting dilemma, and the roster construction seems to indicate that Weah is, at the very least, depth at right-wingback, considering Alex Freeman is the only primary right-back in the team.
AdvertisementGettyThe third centerback spot
Chris Richards is starting. Tim Ream, more than likely, is too. So who's No. 3? If the U.S. rolls with this new system, who joins them? Mark McKenzie is one contender. He played in this system with Toulouse, which makes him a natural fit for that third spot. Furthermore, it seems Pochettino has been in his ear to discuss a role model, one that has played on the highest of levels.
“At Tottenham, there’s a player like Cuti Romero," McKenzie said on Morning Footy. "He’s a player Mauricio and I talk about constantly. It’s a balance between being a good guy off the pitch, very humble and calm, but as soon as he steps on the pitch, you feel his presence. He has a special aura. Any player who faces him will think it’s going to be a long day.
"So that’s an example of a player Mauricio and I sit down together and watch videos of. That’s the style he wants me to adopt. Once on the pitch, it’s about doing everything possible to benefit the team and get a win.”
Richards, meanwhile, was asked about McKenzie on Thursday, and how their partnership dates back years.
"Me and Mark have known each other for probably eight years now," he said. "Every time we step on the field together, it means a lot. I think we have really good chemistry, I think, because we have spent so much time off the field together. That makes it a lot easier on the field to know where the other person is going to be.
"This is stuff that we've been talking about since we were 17 years old – being on the senior national team and how we want to play. Hopefully, we get the chance."
McKenzie, of course, isn't the only candidate. Both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Miles Robinson will have something to say, too. No matter who starts, though, that third centerback spot is one to watch, and this game could offer some insight into who Pochettino sees as the top contender.
AFPWhat's up with midfield?
Tyler Adams isn't in camp, and it's for a good reason. He's due to welcome a baby into the world. That said, that leaves a hole in the USMNT midfield. Who fills that hole?
"It's a team sport, so we always have that next man up mindset," Richards said. "We love Tyler. We miss Tyler, but someone's gonna pick up his spot when he's not here. It's their chance to earn a starting spot even when he is here. When you're in camp, regardless of what reason, it's your chance to earn a spot."
A real contender to take that chance? Tanner Tessmann, who enters camp in incredible form with Lyon. That has him riding higher than ever as he heads into this game.
"I know that, yes, I can be the one that makes the difference," Tessmann told GOAL, "and, when those moments come, I'm going to go for it."
Is it Tessmann's spot to win? What about the likes of James Sands and Aidan Morris, two others with points to prove in midfield? How does the veteran Cristian Roldan fit in? All big questions. So, too, is what comes next for the biggest name in midfield, Weston McKennie?
GettyWelcome back, Weston
McKennie admitted it on Thursday – it was a stressful summer. There were more questions about his future at Juventus, per usual. Every summer, those questions pop up. McKennie, thus far, has answered them every time and is determined to do so again.
"If you guys have followed my career, the summer is always a rollercoaster for me," he said. "Nothing's really changed. I'm kind of used to it now…. I don't think anyone wants to have their head messed with every summer, but I'm used to it. Whenever it comes around to summer time, I know it's the best time for me to put my head down, do my best and get to work to prove people wrong. But more importantly, prove myself right."
The thing is that, at the moment, McKennie also has a point to prove to Pochettino. Absent since March's Nations League defeat – including missing the Gold Cup with Juventus playing in the Club World Cup – McKennie faces a fight to stay in that midfield picture.
If the U.S. does go with two holding midfielders, one is going to be Adams. The other? It could be any of the names listed above: Tessmann, Sands or Morris. Down the line, it could be Johnny Cardoso or Yunus Musah.
All of that is to say that McKennie is closer to the pack than he is to Adams right now. Conveniently for him, in this camp, he is the big dog in midfield in terms of USMNT experience. That opens the door for him to put in some big performances that could remind everyone of why he has been so key over the years.
It's up to him, though, to perform. Once again, he looks to prove his doubters wrong and himself right.