World Cup Qualifying
U.S. U-20 Players Remain Confident Despite Results
The United States under-20 national team was supposed to beat Aruba handily, and it did. But the manner in which it won could be key to the team's goal of qualifying for this summer's World Cup.
WHILE IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRAW too many conclusions about the United States U-20 national team based on its 8-0 rout of lowly Aruba last night, Tab Ramos did institute a formational change for the match—a change that might allow the team to play toward its strengths.
In the opening two matches of the CONCACAF championship, Ramos opted for a 4-3-3 formation and the team, which had been productive offensively in 2014, scored just once—off a set piece. That formation featured a number of undersized attacking players—including Paul Arriola, Tommy Thompson, Romain Gall, and Lynden Gooch—whose skill sets are better suited for supporting striker roles. With all of them playing at the same time, the offense seemed disjointed, and there didn't seem to be a Plan B when the advance players were unable to succeed beating defenders off the dribble.
Against Aruba, started natural strikers Bradford Jamieson IV and Ben Spencer playing alone up top in a 4-4-2. Romain Gall and Tommy Thompson played wider positions and were free to cut inside. Regardless of the weak opponent, it seemed to fit much better. Gall, picture below, scored a hat trick.
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In central midfield, Russell Canouse wore the captain’s armband and partnered with Emerson Hyndman. The two seemed to worked well together and have a good understanding of linking up with the wide midfielders and the forwards.
“The 4-4-2 fits us well,” Canouse told American Soccer Now after the game. "Especially going into that game where we are pressing against Aruba. Working with Emerson in the middle is definitely fun and he is technical. He can definitely move the ball up the field well. The formation also helped us defensively. We could counter quickly and get our chances moving forward better.
So does the 4-4-2 fit the team better?
“I think it does,” Canouse said. “I personally feel that way. It also depends on the players on the field and what suits them. With the players we had on the field against Aruba, the 4-4-2 fit well. Tommy was able to tuck into the middle and receive balls. Romain on the left side was able to go at his guy one on one. It suited us well for sure and maybe going forward as well.”
Spencer made his first start against Aruba and the imposing six-foot-five forward was difficult to defend. He said the team practiced more in the 4-3-3 formation but that the 4-4-2 came naturally for many players since it is the preferred formation at their clubs.
The tall New Mexico native said that while the team is comfortable in any formation, the new approach was a factor in scoring so many goals against Aruba.
“I think the team can play in the 4-3-3 or the 4-4-2 comfortably,” Spencer said after the game. “The guys can change their positions slightly. We have a lot of talented players who play role positions. I think either fit our team.
"In the match against Aruba, it was nice to have two up front with [Jamieson]. I was able to hold up the ball and link up with other guys and get guys like Romain Gall, Tommy Thompson, and Emerson on the ball facing forward. I think that was big for us.”
Neither Spencer or Canouse were sure of what formation will be used on Sunday when the U.S. will take on host nation Jamaica in a crucial game. As of now, winning Group A is close to impossible, with Panama running away atop the standings. Finishing fourth or lower in the six-team group would automatically eliminate the U.S. U-20s from this summer's World Cup.
The Americans must now hope to finish in second or third place in the group, which would send the team to a single-game playoff with a team from Group B with a trip to New Zealand on the line. As of now, the most likely opponents for a playoff would be Canada or Honduras.
There is little room for error in the remaining games but the players remain confident and feel that the Aruba game came along at the right time to perhaps adjust tactically mid-tournament.
“We have a lot of confidence,” Canouse said. “I don’t think we’ve doubted ourselves. We know the players we have and we have a lot of talent on this team. Everyone is happy we got the win but we’re looking forward to getting the job done on Sunday against Jamaica.”
Spencer agreed while acknowledging that host nations can often be difficult opponents in tournaments like this one.
“Team morale is still good,” Spencer stressed. “We’re still together and we have good team chemistry. Everyone is serious and everyone wants to get the job done. We move on to the next match and that is where our focus is right now. We’re confident going forward against Jamaica. "They’ll be tough, but at the same point, I think we’ll be ready for them.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
In central midfield, Russell Canouse wore the captain’s armband and partnered with Emerson Hyndman. The two seemed to worked well together and have a good understanding of linking up with the wide midfielders and the forwards.
“The 4-4-2 fits us well,” Canouse told American Soccer Now after the game. "Especially going into that game where we are pressing against Aruba. Working with Emerson in the middle is definitely fun and he is technical. He can definitely move the ball up the field well. The formation also helped us defensively. We could counter quickly and get our chances moving forward better.
So does the 4-4-2 fit the team better?
“I think it does,” Canouse said. “I personally feel that way. It also depends on the players on the field and what suits them. With the players we had on the field against Aruba, the 4-4-2 fit well. Tommy was able to tuck into the middle and receive balls. Romain on the left side was able to go at his guy one on one. It suited us well for sure and maybe going forward as well.”
Spencer made his first start against Aruba and the imposing six-foot-five forward was difficult to defend. He said the team practiced more in the 4-3-3 formation but that the 4-4-2 came naturally for many players since it is the preferred formation at their clubs.
The tall New Mexico native said that while the team is comfortable in any formation, the new approach was a factor in scoring so many goals against Aruba.
“I think the team can play in the 4-3-3 or the 4-4-2 comfortably,” Spencer said after the game. “The guys can change their positions slightly. We have a lot of talented players who play role positions. I think either fit our team.
"In the match against Aruba, it was nice to have two up front with [Jamieson]. I was able to hold up the ball and link up with other guys and get guys like Romain Gall, Tommy Thompson, and Emerson on the ball facing forward. I think that was big for us.”
Neither Spencer or Canouse were sure of what formation will be used on Sunday when the U.S. will take on host nation Jamaica in a crucial game. As of now, winning Group A is close to impossible, with Panama running away atop the standings. Finishing fourth or lower in the six-team group would automatically eliminate the U.S. U-20s from this summer's World Cup.
The Americans must now hope to finish in second or third place in the group, which would send the team to a single-game playoff with a team from Group B with a trip to New Zealand on the line. As of now, the most likely opponents for a playoff would be Canada or Honduras.
There is little room for error in the remaining games but the players remain confident and feel that the Aruba game came along at the right time to perhaps adjust tactically mid-tournament.
“We have a lot of confidence,” Canouse said. “I don’t think we’ve doubted ourselves. We know the players we have and we have a lot of talent on this team. Everyone is happy we got the win but we’re looking forward to getting the job done on Sunday against Jamaica.”
Spencer agreed while acknowledging that host nations can often be difficult opponents in tournaments like this one.
“Team morale is still good,” Spencer stressed. “We’re still together and we have good team chemistry. Everyone is serious and everyone wants to get the job done. We move on to the next match and that is where our focus is right now. We’re confident going forward against Jamaica. "They’ll be tough, but at the same point, I think we’ll be ready for them.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
