USMNT Vs Ecuador: 3 things we learned – Berhalter remains perfect

2. Adams grows into new role

Another tactical nuance that Gregg Berhalter first introduced in the January camp and continued here was the use a hybrid right-back. The 3-6-1 formation I described earlier in possession all comes about because the right-back moves into central midfield, allowing the wingers to stay wide and the two number 10s to not be overly shackled with defensive responsibility.

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On Thursday, it was Tyler Adams who was handed the keys to this rather tricky position. Not only does the role require great range and athleticism to cover a whole lot of ground, a skill set that Adams has in great supply, but it also demands terrific judgement, anticipation and reading of the game, another element that Adams is expert in.

It took him some time to acclimatise to this new role, as the above graphic illustrates, but as he grew in confidence and was greater able to discern when to push into the midfield and when to stay as a more orthodox full-back, his influence on the game only grew.

By the end of the match, Adams was the best player on the pitch. Rarely beaten when defending, something that his young career is known for, and extremely calm and composed in possession, aiding the U.S. to completely control the game, he was an all-encompassing full-back-turned-central-midfielder. This was a plan that worked rather wonderfully.