USMNT Vs Ecuador: 3 things we learned – Berhalter remains perfect
The USMNT preserved Gregg Berhalter’s perfect record with a 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday night. Here are three things we learned.
The U.S. Men’s National Team continued the Gregg Berhalter era on Thursday night, hosting Ecuador at Orlando City Stadium in the first of two March international friendlies.
An intriguing tactical battle that Berhalter largely won, the match offered little in terms of spectacle. Chances were few and far between, especially in the second half, and the lack of attacking quality on show was perfectly encapsulated by Gyasi Zardes’ winner, a looping deflection that somehow squeezed under the crossbar as the Ecuador goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez, miserably failed to tip the ball up and away.
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Here are three things we learned from the 1-0 victory, a victory that preserves Berhalter’s perfect record as the USMNT head coach.
3. Morris, Pulisic struggle, but experiment must continue
Gregg Berhalter inserted a 3-6-1 system in possession, with two number 10s playing behind Gyasi Zardes and two wide attackers, all with two central midfielders anchoring the team in front of a back three. Comprising that system saw right-winger Christian Pulisic move into a more central attacking midfield position and Seattle Sounders flyer Jordan Morris start on the right wing.
The experiment did not really work. Pulisic huffed and puffed in central areas, but the space was so compact that he struggled to receive the ball with the opportunity to turn and dribble at the Ecuador defence. Meanwhile, Morris was poor on the flank, offering little dynamism or drive, unable to beat his defender in one-on-ones, something that Pulisic has the ability to do with great regularity.
Pulisic, as a natural winger, may end up being the USMNT’s best bet at the right-wing position. But he also might be the best bet at the number 10 position, and such is the greater influence of playing centrally, Berhalter would be wise to continue this experiment. It didn’t really work this time, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t work in the future. It has potential, and 90 minutes is not enough to see that potential come to fruition.