USMNT’s Turner 8/10 as Pulisic, Balogun struggle in 3-0 win

ST. LOUIS — The U.S. males’s nationwide crew recorded a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a world pleasant on Saturday.

Tim Weah obtained the U.S. off to a dream begin, firing dwelling in the fourth minute after good work from Weston McKennie. Folarin Balogun almost doubled the U.S. benefit in the sixteenth minute, however may solely put his header in opposition to the put up.

The U.S. wasn’t capable of construct on their early dominance, as some sloppy play in midfield and protection created some good alternatives for the guests. Eldor Shomurodov pounced on two errors late in the primary half — one every from Tanner Tessmann and Tim Ream — however was denied on each events by Matt Turner.

The second half noticed extra of the identical from the U.S., with a number of possession, however not a lot in the way in which of clear-cut possibilities. That is till substitute Ricardo Pepi completed off a collection of hustle performs by Sergiño Dest and fellow sub Brenden Aaronson to make the sport protected. Uzbekistan, with no extra subs, went down a participant after an damage to Khojakbar Alijonov in the final 10 minutes. Christian Pulisic then transformed a penalty in stoppage time for the third U.S. objective.

Uzbekistan did have some possibilities by way of exterior again Alijonov, however could not get the very important contact to essentially threaten Turner in objective.

The U.S. will face Oman in St. Paul, Minn. in three days’ time.

RICOOOO SUAVEEEEE pic.twitter.com/GqVcUMois9

— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 9, 2023

Manager score (scale of 1-10)

Gregg Berhalter, 5 — Berhalter’s first recreation again witnessed his crew play a lot of the match in a well-known fashion. There was loads of possession and a few nifty strategy work, however little in the way in which of high quality alternatives, particularly after Balogun hit the put up.

Berhalter obtained good mileage out of his bench, particularly by way of Aaronson and Pepi, and with Uzbekistan pushing ahead, the sport opened as much as give the Americans some very important extra area. That stated, this was a scoreline that flattered the house facet to a level, and with higher ending, Uzbekistan may need gotten extra out of this match.

Granted, it is solely been 5 days of coaching since Berhalter got here again, and on a few of these days the crew was at lower than full energy, however the primary takeaway will probably be how the U.S. could not impose itself additional after taking an early lead. Berhalter’s assembly to fix the connection with Gio Reyna cannot occur quickly sufficient.

Player scores (0-10; 10 = greatest; 5 = common)

GK Matt Turner, 8 — Went lengthy intervals with out having to the touch the ball, however twice bailed the U.S. out with saves from Shomurodov.

DF Antonee Robinson, 6 — Did what he may to hyperlink up with Pulisic and later Weah, however wanted to do higher on these events when Khojiakbar Alijonov reduce inside to strike at objective.

DF Tim Ream, 4 — The St. Louis native captained the facet in his hometown, however reverted to his U.S. performances of yore, with lengthy spells of strong play solely to have some surprising giveaways.

DF Chris Richards, 7 — Solid in the again, and used his velocity to good impact throughout some transition alternatives for Uzbekistan.

DF Sergiño Dest, 7 — Was sharp on the ball, although he did concede a useless free kick in the primary half. His mazy run in the 73rd minute almost resulted in a objective.

MF Weston McKennie 7 — McKennie stays an absolute power in the field, and did nicely to attract in 4 defenders after which discover Weah for the U.S. objective.

MF Luca de la Torre, 6 — Unlucky to have to come back off following a collision that left his nostril bloodied. Was tidy on the ball, however misplaced just a few duels in midfield, together with one sequence that led to Alijonov hitting the bar in the twenty third minute.

MF Yunus Musah, 6 — Delivered a few of his trademark runs with the ball, however pale a bit in the second half.

FW Christian Pulisic, 5 — Was loads aggressive in the attacking third, however struggled to beat opponents one-on-one. Just not a variety of finish product on this present day, and his set piece deliveries have been sub-par. No complaints about his penalty although.

FW Folarin Balogun 5 — Nearly obtained on the scoreboard, solely to hit the put up along with his sixteenth minute header. Still, he reduce a annoyed determine, as his teammates struggled to get him the ball, although he confirmed some nifty footwork across the field. Taken off after 45 minutes, which was the pregame plan.

FW Tim Weah, 7 — Took his objective nicely, and shook unfastened just a few instances down the wing. Just wanted a bit accuracy along with his crossing.

Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)

MF Tanner Tessmann, 3 — Really struggled to rise up to hurry after he got here in for de la Torre, and his play did not enhance after halftime.

FW Ricardo Pepi, 7 — Saw about the identical quantity of the ball as Balogun did, however when he obtained his likelihood, he completed with authority.

MF Brenden Aaronson, 6 — Brought his trademark power, and his layoff arrange Pepi for the second U.S. objective.

DF Mark McKenzie, 6 — Stepped to the ball with confidence, and was environment friendly along with his passing.

MF Malik Tillman, NR — He threaded the needle to seek out Pulisic late, and gained a penalty in second half stoppage time.

DF Kristoffer Lund, NR — Native of Denmark makes his U.S. debut.