The United States national team can evaluate depth against Costa Rica
Wednesday’s friendly for the United States national team against Costa Rica is an opportunity to build on a little momentum. Consecutive wins for the United States national team over CONCACAF opposition en route to lifting the inaugural Nations League trophy gives the Americans a sense of upward trajectory.
And with the shadows of Couva still looming over the United States national team, some direction is sorely needed right now.
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Wednesday’s friendly against Costa Rica should provide the national team with an opportunity to test some new talent and try some new combinations. This is especially helpful ahead of World Cup qualifying this fall.
Let’s be honest – after beating Mexico in the Nations League final, there is nothing to gain from this friendly for the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, John Brooks or even Sergino Dest and Tyler Adams (check out the player ratings here). These players had busy European seasons and could use the rest. And let’s not forget that the injury risk of playing in a match like this isn’t worth it for these established pieces of the United States national team.
It is an opportunity for the United States national team and head coach Gregg Berhalter to continue to learn lessons about this young unit.
Three things to watch for as the United States plays another CONCACAF opponent:
All eyes on the centerback situation – Chances are, John Brooks won’t start against Costa Rica and after his last three performances with the United States national team, there is no incentive to get him a run of games. But with New York Red Bulls central defender Aaron Long out for at least the start of World Cup qualifying, it is clear that the central defense situation is a concern for Berhalter.
Mark McKenzie had a rough outing in the Nations League final against Mexico but he remains a promising prospect (and should receive credit for settling into the match a bit after his costly mistake put Mexico up 1-0). It would be a big statement from Berhalter to put McKenzie back in the Starting XI and to build confidence. The Genk youngster would benefit from the boost and could use the minutes.
Along side him, Matt Miazga could use some minutes with the senior team as well. The former New York Red Bulls defender established himself with Anderlecht this past year but has found national team minutes hard to come by. This friendly is big for Miazga with qualifiers looming.
Horvath’s big performance – Before Ethan Horvath became the stuff of folk lore with his substitute appearance against Mexico, the goalkeeper was solid a few days prior in a 2-1 friendly loss to Switzerland. Horvath has found himself in a complicated club situation at Brugge and rarely starts outside cup matches and the occasional league match.
As such, another good performance could and would be key for him to stake his claim at a potential move to get first team minutes. Horvath proved on Sunday that he can play at a high level and Wednesday should be another opportunity in the shop window.
Answering issues up top – The forward situation remains in flux for the United States as Josh Sargent continues to do everything well except score goals. He holds up the ball well, runs the channels and gets in great spots to score…he just hasn’t scored in a bit for club or country.
Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok scored the winner against Honduras in the Nations League semifinal but while active, wasn’t dangerous against Mexico. It is time for Berhalter to give the French-born forward a starting nod to see if his hold-up play can help the Americans. And it would be a good idea to get Daryl Dike a run of minutes to see CONCACAF opposition and the standard of play as the Orlando City striker might be called upon in qualifying this fall.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer