In its second game of the CONCACAF U-20 Championships, the United States controlled its game against Canada, had most of the chances, but were forced to rally twice for a 2-2 draw wtih Canada after defensive mistakes allowed the Canadians score twice against the run of play. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the game.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
June 21, 2022
6:10 AM
THE UNITED STATES drew Canada 2-2 in its second game at the CONCACAF U-20 Championships to determine qualification for the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. The game was certainly a frustrating one for the U.S. team that controlled nearly the entire game and had loads of scoring chances but had to rally for two equalizers after conceding two very preventable goals.
In the early parts of the game, it seemed as if the United States was going to win easily. But the first goal never came despite the chances. Then in the 15th minute, Canada struck against the run of play with a goal from York United’s Lowell Wright who moved through the U.S. team’s defense easily before poking a shot past Chris Brady.
That made things considerably more difficult for the United Sates as Canada then shifted into a low-block bunker which gave the U.S. team less space in the attacking third. It worked, the U.S. team’s game plan has been built around pressing but now it was forced to shoot from distance, dribble into traffic, or try to cross – which isn’t easy given the U.S. team’s lack of a No. 9.
The U.S. finally drew even in the 53rd minute on a fantastic strike from distance from Jack McGlynn.
What a rocket from Jack McGlynn pic.twitter.com/21GjysBnNm
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 21, 2022
From there, it looked as if the U.S. was in a good spot as it had confidence and continued to have loads of possession. But in the 69th minute, Canada had a rare possession in the U.S. team’s half and a cross, that didn’t seem dangerous, was accidentally deflected by Michael Halliday into his own net.
Fortunately for the U.S. team, the did not have to wait nearly as long for the second equalizer as Cade Cowell pulled the team even three minutes later in the 72nd minute.
Cade Cowell’s equalizer for the U.S U-20 team vs Canada pic.twitter.com/tO5TBgZXZ7
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 21, 2022
The U.S. team was not able to find a winner. It hit the woodwork once and then was denied several times from Canada’s Ben Alexander, who had a terrific game.
Here are some thoughts.
Central defense is a bigger concern
Even at the start of the cycle, central defense was pegged to be a big area of concern for the U.S. team. Now it is a bigger concern. Both of the goals scored in this game were entirely preventable, but the first goal was alarming because the U.S. had four defenders in the box in good position. They just couldn’t stop Wright.
???????? ? GOAL! @CanadaSoccerEN scores the opener! #CU20 pic.twitter.com/fWX9MMZXsF
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) June 21, 2022
The U.S. team should have won this game comfortably, but the fact that Canada scored first changed everything.
The U.S. team can very well rebound against Cuba and do well in the Round of 16. The problem for the central defense is that when watching Honduras rattle through Jamaica easily on Monday night, the task ahead is going to become much harder.
For Mikey Varas, he is going to have to continue to shuffle through the Craig, Neal, and Ferkranus combinations to see what works best. There is still time to adjust and improve.
The U.S. moved the ball well
Even with Canada sitting back, the U.S. team moved the ball very well. Most nights, the U.S. wins this game comfortably. The U.S. outshot and out-possessed Canada by wide margins. Even in Canada’s bunker, the U.S. team still got shots. It just needs to be more clinical with its finishing.
The players all had classy first touches, and good decision making with the ball. It wasn’t a poor performance from many different perspectives. Sometimes, the results don’t always reflect the performances.
If the U.S. team scored first, it could have been way different. Canada would have had to come out of its low block and the U.S. team would have had more space to exploit. The U.S. team just had the wrong things happen at the worst time – and at least they still didn’t lose.
Luna, Aaronson, McGlynn impress
The three best players on the field for the U.S. team over the course of the game were Diego Luna, Paxten Aaronson, and Jack McGlynn.
Luna, the new Real Salt Lake playmaker, played on the wing but often cut centrally to create chances. He was the best dribbler on the team and showed a lot of skill. If Canada didn’t have almost its entire team in the box, he probably would have had a goal. He should be a real weapon for the U.S. team heading into the knockouts.
???? ?? Take a look at the highlights of today’s thrilling match between @CanadaSoccerEN and @USYNT! ???????? ????????#CU20 pic.twitter.com/bTcHotNCtm
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) June 21, 2022
Aaronson has impressive vision and is smooth. He should also be a starter in the big knockout games ahead.
Finally, McGlynn is a very good left-footed No. 8 and he was strong in possession. His 52nd minute goal was special.
Alexander was the MOTM
Even with the U.S. team conceding preventable goals and having a tough time with Canada’s bunker, the chances were still there. Part of the perfect storm the U.S. team ran into was Ben Alexander, who had a great game for Canada. The goalkeeper, who is based out of Vancouver Whitecaps organization, made a several close-range saves that the U.S. team would normally hit the back of the net.
Alexander clearly was a huge part of preventing the U.S. from getting control of the game.
Cuba game decides Group E
From a perspective in the standings, the U.S. team’s situation isn’t too adversely affected. Instead of needing a draw against Cuba on Wednesday to win the Group, now the U.S. team will need a victory. Due to its high goal differential, the U.S. team is unlikely to fall to third place even with a loss to Cuba as Canada would need to defeat St. Kitts by 10 or more goals to overtake the U.S. team.
What does winning Group E mean compared with second place? Quite a bit.
If the U.S. team wins Group E, it would face Nicaragua in the Round of 16. Then, if it wins, it’s quarterfinal game (to determine a U-20 World Cup spot) would likely come down to the winner of Costa Rica and Haiti/Trinidad & Tobago. Costa Rica would be favored in that.
If the U.S. team finishes second in Group E, then it would likely face Guatemala in the Round of 16. If it wins that, the U-20 World Cup berth could come down to Honduras – who is playing very well through two games as the host nation.
If the U.S. team is going to attempt to qualify for both the U-20 World Cup and the Olympics, it’s going to have to go through Honduras at some point. Winning Group E likely means that the Honduras game would be in the semifinals as opposed to the quarterfinals. It’s far better to face Hondruas later in the tournament than earlier.
The Cuba game is very important in that regard. Here is how I think the U.S. team will line up.
Predicted U.S. U-20 roster vs. Cuba: Carrera; Allen, Craig, Neal, Cuevas; Pukstas, McGlynn, Aaronson; Cowell, Wolff, Sullivan
