Despite an early setback, the United States capitalized on Paraguay’s vulnerabilities during their 4-1 victory on Friday. The American players, particularly in midfield, found ample space, confounding their opponents who struggled to maintain an effective defensive shape. As the ball moved through Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie, Paraguay’s disarray allowed the US to exploit gaps with ease.
“I just tried to run in behind,” McKennie remarked after the match. “I think I realized early on that they were struggling to follow my deep runs. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I keep trying to do it until they figure something out. I was able to find more space than usual, and it was fun. I really enjoyed to get on the ball as much as I did.”
The first half of the match saw the US firmly in control in midfield, with Tyler Adams effectively partnering with McKennie and Tillman. Paraguay’s attempts to establish their defensive positioning fell flat, allowing the Americans to recirculate the ball with confidence, leveraging the on-ball skills of their defenders.
Throughout the 2022 World Cup, the US occasionally displayed a club-like cohesiveness, largely due to the synergy of their midfield trio. Adams and McKennie were complemented by Yunus Musah, creating a dynamic engine that kept the game flowing. However, Musah’s recent stagnation rendered him less of a factor this summer, yet the rise of players like Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Tanner Tessmann, and Aidan Morris eased concerns for coach Mauricio Pochettino.
While the squad has evolved, the field dynamics have remained consistent. The spaces that McKennie exploited in Friday’s match were not due to an innovative strategy from the co-hosts but rather an advancement of Pochettino’s tactical framework, reflecting the growth of the US’s top talents since the World Cup.
Midfield Dominance and Defensive Evolution
As the Copa América approaches in 2024, the midfield has emerged as the most reliable element of Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT. Teams have often been able to set up defensively against the US, forcing them into the attacking third where they struggled to generate ideas. The system had increasingly funneled their offense through Christian Pulisic, allowing opponents to devise strategies to counter him.
A significant positive from the Copa grouping was the validation of Chris Richards, who had gained experience with Crystal Palace. Although Richards became a regular starter only after Oliver Glasner took over in February 2024, his partnership with Tim Ream proved crucial, despite not yielding favorable results against opponents like Panama and Uruguay.
Richards has continued to develop his game, becoming indispensable to Palace following Marc Guéhi’s exit. He played a pivotal role in the club’s successful 2024-25 FA Cup run and was a consistent presence during their UEFA Conference League victory this past season.
Confidence has surged for Richards, particularly after overcoming an ankle injury sustained late in the previous season, and he excelled against Paraguay. He set a World Cup record for passes completed with a 100% success rate (83) and collaborated with Adams to evaluate Paraguay’s formation before distributing the ball to Ream or Alex Freeman to initiate the next attack.
“Honestly, I wasn’t second guessing myself. That was the main thing. Playing with pain’s OK as long as I’m not second-guessing myself.” Richards shared in the mixed zone. “Honestly, I wasn’t second guessing myself. That was the main thing. Playing with pain’s OK as long as I’m not second-guessing myself.”
Balogun’s Impact on the Team
Among the key additions to the US team this World Cup cycle is Folarin Balogun, whose decision to represent the US, despite eligibility for England and Nigeria, marks a significant boost for a program that lacked a reliable striker for several years. Renowned for his skill and physicality, Balogun effectively creates opportunities for his teammates to capitalize on.
Having honed his skills at Arsenal’s academy, Balogun possesses remarkable movement and an astute understanding of the game. While McKennie and Tillman maneuvered through the channels, Balogun adeptly positioned himself to receive the necessary service, challenging Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill repeatedly.
Amid the absence of the rigorous Concacaf qualifying rounds and the team’s inconsistency during Pochettino’s tenure, there were concerns regarding their readiness for the World Cup. However, after refining their tactics over several weeks, the US displayed a newfound comfort in controlling the game, swiftly transitioning the ball and maintaining possession, prompting appreciative applause from fans at Los Angeles Stadium.
Historically, joining larger clubs has not always favored this generation of US players. Musah’s transfer to Milan ultimately hindered his development, as he struggled to find a stable role amidst frequent coaching changes. Similarly, Gio Reyna faced challenges that limited his growth at Dortmund and Mönchengladbach.
Currently, though, the US boasts talent they have often lacked in previous years. They have Richards as a defensive cornerstone, vital to his club’s recent successes, and Balogun, who, despite some goal droughts, ranked fourth in Ligue 1 scoring.
Challenges Ahead for the US Team
Opponents will need to navigate the dual threats posed by Balogun and Pulisic, who led Milan in scoring just a year ago and has been in excellent form since the friendly against Senegal in late May. Reyna has also shown glimpses of his potential, maintaining optimism about his future despite limited club opportunities. Meanwhile, McKennie and Adams have established themselves as essential midfielders for teams vying for Europa League qualification.
Nevertheless, various nations can match the US in terms of talent. Turkey, one of the Group D rivals, represents a formidable challenge, boasting impressive players from Real Madrid and Juventus, alongside the skilled Hakan Çalhanoğlu and solid defender Merih Demiral. By the time the round of 16 arrives, the US may find themselves in an underdog position, potentially facing top teams like Belgium, France, and Spain if they emerge at the top of their group.
However, there remains ample time for the US to build momentum as they prepare for these challenges. Fans can be grateful for the advantages of birthright citizenship; without it, the US might still find themselves without Balogun, a striker capable of stretching defenses and easing the burden on his teammates.
