US Soccer Players

The official site of the USMNT Soccer Players with soccer news, schedule, statistics, players, interviews, and exclusive stories.


Next Opponent

3/24/2023 8pm ET on TBD
  • Rankings
  • Schedule
  • Results
  • Home
  • Roster
  • USMNT News
  • MLS
  • Americans Abroad
  • Alumni
  • USNSTPA
  • Archive

Preview: Mexico vs USMNT in Concacaf World Cup qualifying

March 23, 2022 by US Soccer Players

usmnt-coach-gregg-berhalter-march22-2022-training

Wednesday’s soccer news starts with the USMNT making the trip to Mexico for tomorrow’s Concacaf World Cup qualifier at Estadio Azteca. Unlike the last cycle, altitude adjustments aren’t as much of the story. Instead, the focus has been on how USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter might structure his squad. He certainly has the data points after the summer of USMNT vs Mexico.

Goalkeeping isn’t straightforward

Most teams in general, and certainly national teams, settle on a starting goalkeeper. The job becomes theirs to lose, adding continuity from roster to roster. That concept has become a challenge for the United States due to injury. Zack Steffen was in goal for the Nations League final last summer against Mexico, injured midway through the second-half. Ethan Horvath did his job, stopping a last gasp penalty after 120 minutes.

A few weeks later, it was Matt Turner’s chance for heroics in the USA vs Mexico Gold Cup final. That game also went to stoppage time, with Turner credited with five saves in the shutout. All of a sudden, Berhalter had three options and two trophies. Turner was in goal for the start of World Cup qualifying, mostly keeping the job while Steffen was either unavailable due to travel issues or injured.

Now, it’s Turner that’s unavailable due to an injury. Berhalter called in Horvath, Steffen, and MLS Cup winner Sean Johnson, with Steffen the only one to see time in this qualifying cycle. He was in goal for the USMNT’s 2-1 home win over Costa Rica and the home game against Mexico. Whether or not that draws a straight line from one Mexico game to the next is the question for Berhalter and his staff.

McKennie, Dest, and Aaronson

The USMNT’s technical staff had time to think about what Weston McKennie’s absence might mean. Sergino Dest and Brenden Aaronson were surprises and both require reassessing the squad for answers. McKennie’s play has been inspired for the National Team, pulling them into shape with his passing and positioning. Dest seemed to have a clear role on the flank, controlling an obvious line of attack in defense and adding to the options when play shifted. McKennie became a game-changer, adapting to situations and making the difference.

While it’s easy to play theoretical roster building, it’s not that easy. Considering the pressure of the final three qualifiers, it becomes another opportunity for Berhalter to come up with a technical solution. His tactics have drawn criticism at times during this cycle. The January/February window was as much an exercise in creative venue selection home and away, but the tactics at Canada raised old questions. All three of the absent players represent potential answers. With a short run-up before the trip to Estadio Azteca, the USMNT technical staff gets another opportunity to show their work.

Mexico’s situation

Unlike the last window, Mexico gets its crowd back after serving another ban for homophobic chanting. Add that to the altitude and simple familiarity with the biggest stadium in Concacaf, and Mexico’s home edge is real. They’re without forward Rogelio Funes Mori and midfielder Andres Guardado, requiring their own reset. Both of those are contributors in an offense that will take a lot of shots. Enough that 14 goals scored seem low for that kind of offense.

Mexico hasn’t had a breakthrough performance from its offense in this cycle. That has to be a concern for Tata Martinez, a coach that has spent a couple of windows answering criticism over player selection and tactics. Qualifying solves all of those problems, for now, the simple situation for every team entering the final Octagonal window in a position to advance to Qatar.

CBS Sports’ James Benge focuses on Christian Pulisic’s positioning for the USMNT. The LA Times’ Kevion Baxter on what could be the last Mexico vs USMNT qualifier. The Athletic’s Sam Stjeskal and Paul Tenorio put the focus on the missing players in the USMNT squad. MLSsoccer’s Chalres Boehm has Tyler Adams’s comments about playing at Mexico. ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Cesar Hernandez talk to former USMNT players about games at Azteca.

THURSDAY’S SOCCER TV

World Cup qualifying on ESPN Deportes: Australia vs Japan at 5am. ESPN2 has Portugal vs Turkey at 3:45pm. Fox Deportes has Paraguay vs Ecuador at 7:30pm. CBS Sports Network has Mexico vs USMNT at 10pm. Costa Rica vs Canada is on Universo at 10pm ET.


All links are provided as a courtesy. US Soccer Players nor its authors are responsible for the content of third-party links or sites. For comments, questions, and concerns please contact us at editor@usnstpa.com

Photo by John Dorton – ISIPhotos.com

Like Google +1 Retweet 1

Filed Under: Featured, News Update, Soccer News, USMNT, World Cup qualifying Tagged With: concacaf world cup qualifying, mexico, us soccer

The rest of the 2022-23 season for USMNT players in Germany’s leagues

The rest of the 2022-23 season for USMNT players in Germany’s leagues

By Jason Davis

Jason Davis looks at the situations for clubs with USMNT players in Germany’s Bundesliga, 2.Bundesliga, 3.Liga, and Regionalliga West.

Defense, identity, and urgency from the USMNT vs Serbia

Defense, identity, and urgency from the USMNT vs Serbia

By Charles Boehm

Charles Boehm highlights the USMNT defense, tactical plan, urgency, and wide play during the 2-1 friendly loss to Serbia on January 25, 2023.

Plenty of tactical options for the USMNT vs Serbia

Plenty of tactical options for the USMNT vs Serbia

By Jason Davis

Jason Davis previews the USMNT vs Serbia friendly (10pm ET – HBO Max) with the focus on how the USMNT technical staff can use this squad.

More from our writers

US Soccer Players

reggie cannon usmnt player

Reggie Cannon - USMNT

Position Defender
Pro Team Boavista
Read more about Reggie Cannon - USMNT

UNITED STATES NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

Players

  • Squad
  • Results
  • Schedule
  • Match Reports

Soccer News

  • National Team
  • Major League Soccer
  • Americans Abroad
  • Featured

About USNSTPA

  • About US Soccer Players
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Sponsorship and Licensing

Copyright © 2023 All Rights Reserved - US Soccer Players.