Takeaways From the Win Last Night

What a damn performance! I was scared for exactly two minutes all match, and that was right after the red to Balo.

BUT WE BALLED.
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Takeaways:

- Our defensive shape and positioning has been rapidly improving. This has CLEARLY been a focus point for Poch and the staff. Even in the tune-up friendlies before the Cup started, I was seeing a ton of misplays across the back line and midfield. It was especially obvious when we were absorbing pressure.

Last night, even being a man down, our guys barely put a foot wrong. Snuffed out problems, stepped to force early shots on transition drive by B&H, and made line-breaking passes both vertically and horizontally (as well as appropriate clearances).

- If we have ANY doubts that Pepi is not better for our attack than Haji, we start Haji next match. Pepi is excellent for the high press. He has moments of brilliance. I don’t think his strength is in front of the goal in a system like this, however. He is physical, but not fast. Classic hold up player, and great as a false 9 imo… but a false 9 is relatively useless with the way we operate our dual-10s.

I think the ability to run in behind is going to be critical to us winning against Belgium, making space for the midfield’s late runs. I haven’t watched a lot of Haji’s club matches, but he HAS to be better at running in behind than Pepi.

- I said it last night to some buddies, and Herc Gomez mentioned it on ESPN as well… This team a few months ago loses this game in extra time, if not regulation. The mentality of this squad has shifted entirely. Watching how Ream, Pulisic, and even Gio on the sidelines reassured and encouraged Balogun in the immediate aftermath of the red card was huge.

This team used to whine and act out about things like this, visibly distressed and almost feeling sorry for themselves. Last night? Stone-faced, all business, and they even stepped it up an extra notch.

- Who in the actual frick were we watching with the passing while we were a man down?! I mean that in the positive sense. Not only were we connecting passes constantly to relieve pressure and maintain possession at that point, we were CLEARLY the superior team even a man down. I didn’t feel like they were actually going to score at any point aside from when Freese was caught off guard by the shot that curled wide of the net later in the match… which leads me to my last point.

- Is Freese good enough in his positioning for us to pull off an upset or two against teams with players who are elite/world-class finishers from any spot? There were a few times late in this match where I felt Freese was very poorly positioned. I will admit, I am not sure if any of the shots were screened by players and he couldn’t see, but if Bosnia had even one fantastic finisher, this game ends way differently.

I still think Freese should absolutely be the starter for the duration of the tournament. Turner’s feet are so bad that we can’t risk building out of the back against a high press with him in goal. I just really hope that Freese steps up when he is called upon and tested, because it is coming… and likely in this match against Belgium.



Anything I missed that you all would like to add?