The USMNT has won the first three editions of the Nations League, and need another result against Jamaica to advance to the semifinals
ST. LOUIS – Midway through a two-legged series, there's a cliche that almost every player turns to. Several members of the U.S. Men's national team have uttered it in the days between their 1-0 win over Jamaica in Kingston on Thursday and the second leg set for Monday night in St. Louis.
"It's only halftime."
Cliche, yes, but, also exactly accurate. The USMNT is halfway to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, halfway to accomplishing the priority of this November camp. There's another 90 minutes of soccer to play. However, those 90 minutes promise to be different than the previous 90, and not just because of location.
With a number of players set to make their returns for both teams after missing the opening game, the U.S. and Jamaica will look different than the squads that collided in Jamaica. The USMNT earned the win in Kingston behind two early, important moments – Ricardo Pepi's goal and Matt Turner's penalty save. It was a tight affair thereafter, one that both sides will feel they could have won.
The USMNT has won the first three editions of the Nations League, and will need another result against Jamaica to advance to the semifinals. For the second leg, the U.S. has a narrow advantage to protect, but that could disappear in an instant. What changes will the USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino make for Monday, and what should you be watching for? GOAL takes a look.
Getty Images SportTim Ream's homecoming
Though Tim Ream will undoubtedly be energized when he takes the field in his hometown Monday night, he first needed swat away a pesky question: is the 37-year-old USMNT defender feeling old yet?
"No, definitely not," Ream said this weekend. "I think it definitely helps coming in and sitting next to these guys here, who are 24, 25, 26 and, listening to them and just having conversations with them. I still feel young. I feel great. I still feel like I can play at least two to three more years."
Monday's match will be a special one for Ream. Born and raised in St. Louis, he is perhaps the most famous soccer product of a rabid soccer city. He developed at St. Louis Scott Gallagher and played for the Saint Louis Billikens in college before beginning his long and winding road to the USMNT.
Regardless of whether Ream feels, his time on the USMNT is finite, something he recently admitted to in a conversation with GOAL. So this opportunity to play, and perhaps achieve something special, in front of his hometown crowd is not lost on him as he looks to continue to stretch these final years of his USMNT career. He started and captained the USMNT's win over Jamaica in Kingston and could very well be in the XI once again on Monday night.
If he is, it'll mean just a little bit more. Not just because it's another chance to prove to Mauricio Pochettino that he should stick around, that his brains and experience are more than enough to combat Jamaica's pace. It's also because that chance comes in front of those who have supported him from the very beginning.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportContaining Jamaica, again
Shutting out Jamaica in Jamaica is one hell of an achievement. Yes, it was a tough road there, one that required Turner to step up and make a massive penalty kick save. A shutout is a shutout, though. The USMNT handled a talented Jamaica attack as well as they possibly could have.
Jamaica will know that as they head into this second game. What changes will they make to ensure it doesn't happen again?
"They're obviously going to break down film and figure out ways where they can hurt us," said defender Mark McKenzie, "but at the same time for us as a team, it's about continuing to build on the foundations that we've already been building on, and continue to find those areas, those details, where we need to improve, and ultimately adjusting."
That preparation has been a priority for the USMNT since winning the opener, but it can only take you so far. Players need to react and adjust in real time as the match unfolds.
"We can do all the X's and O's and training and in the meetings and then on the board," McKenzie said, "but at the end of the day, once you step on the pitch, it's about solving problems and finding solutions for whatever difficulties or challenges they may throw at us."
There will be challenges. Any team with Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray will be dangerous. The returning Michail Antonio, too, will provide a new look to the attack.
This will be a particularly important task for Antonee Robinson, who along with Joe Scally will face big tests out wide. And whoever starts at centerback for the USMNT – whether that be the returning duo of McKenzie and Ream or some other pairing – will need to be alert for all 90 minutes.
GettyTim Weah's return
We haven't seen Tim Weah in a USMNT shirt since he marched off following his infamous Copa America red card. Much has changed since then. The USMNT crashed out of that tournament, Gregg Berhalter was fired, a coaching search began and, ultimately, ended with Pochettino's hiring. And because this is first camp under the new coach, the question remains: what will Pochettino do with Weah?
The answer isn't totally clear in some ways, yet obvious in others. Whatever happens, Pochettino will almost certainly maximize the opportunity with Weah, who seems like a player the new coach can use in multiple ways.
Berhalter always talked up Weah's importance, and that will likely carry over to the new boss. This game against Jamaica, already a special one for Weah due to his background, will be even more special. It's a big return, a chance to put this past summer's Copa nightmare behind him. It's also a chance to make an impact under Pochettino, a coach who could help him take his game to an even higher level.
Getty ImagesMore Ricardo Pepi magic?
One chance, one goal – that's all it takes with a top striker and, based on what he's shown for club and country lately, Ricardo Pepi is getting closer to that level.
He scored in the first game of this two-game set and is a near certainty to start the second game. Pepi is a man in form right now and, despite playing limited minutes, he's as confident as ever. It seems as if Pepi is making a substantial leap, spring-boarding forward for both the USMNT and back at PSV on the club level.
Still, as a striker, as harsh as it is, you're always judged by your next goal. There's no time for Pepi to celebrate a job well one in Jamaica, he needs to get right back at it on Monday against the same opponents. The Reggae Boyz' defense fell asleep for a split second in the opener, but that may not happen again, even without the now-suspended Mason Holgate.
What can Pepi do to turn the tide? Can his movement create another goal? Pepi, once again, will be key up top.