International Break Highlights
In this week’s edition of Onside/Offside, Luis Miguel Echegaray shines a light on some significant moments from the recent international break, which saw thrilling events unfold across various continents, from jubilation in West Africa to the challenging heights of El Alto in Bolivia.
USMNT’s Performance
The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) provided a glimmer of hope following a disheartening 2-0 defeat to South Korea. In a turnaround match on Tuesday in Columbus, the team secured a 2-0 victory against Japan at Lower.com Field, marking an encouraging sign of growth under coach Mauricio Pochettino‘s leadership.
Following the disappointing defeat against the South Koreans, Pochettino made sweeping changes to both the team’s strategy and lineup, starting five new players against Japan. His tactical nod to a 3-4-3 formation, reminiscent of his successful spells at Southampton and Tottenham, allowed for an effective counter to Japan’s high-possession style, as the USMNT excelled in pressing and taking advantage of the spaces left open by their opponents.
Christian Pulisic, who faced criticism for his absence during the summer, redeemed himself with a stunning display against Japan. He showcased immense skill and vision, contributing to the scoreline with an assist. Club América’s Alex Zendejas also shone brightly, rounding off an impressive showing with a well-taken goal. Furthermore, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards proved indispensable, anchoring the defense and contributing to the overall cohesion of the team.
Despite the strong result, it’s essential to note the context: this match was a friendly, and Japan fielded a less-than-full-strength squad, having rotated its players after a draw with Mexico. Critics could argue that focusing too much on results in such encounters overlooks the bigger implications of player development and team chemistry. The real triumph lay in the performance itself—this encounter revealed a resilient and inventive USMNT that saw some of its best synergy since Pochettino took the helm.
Future Challenges for USMNT
Looking ahead, there may be concerns about the USMNT’s tendency to play all its friendlies on home soil. While they have matches looming against strong teams such as Ecuador and Uruguay, these will also be hosted in the U.S. Learning to thrive in challenging away environments is pivotal, especially for a squad gearing up for the high stakes of the World Cup. The experiences gleaned from facing opponents in their own territories can foster the toughness needed to advance in the tournament.
Global Highlights
The article also touches upon the South American qualifiers, where the automatic spots for next year’s World Cup have been claimed by Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil among others. The spotlight now falls on Bolivia and Venezuela, with Bolivia clinching an impressive playoff spot after a stunning win against Brazil in El Alto. Their home terrain, leveraged by the altitude, played a significant role in securing this critical victory, marking a key highlight of their campaign.
Meanwhile, in Africa, Cape Verde made history by defeating Cameroon, positioning themselves well for a shot at their first World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi bid farewell to World Cup qualifiers in Argentina’s recent win against Venezuela, closing out a remarkable campaign despite not participating in their final match with Ecuador as he prepares for competition with Inter Miami.
In Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to cement his legacy, recently surpassing Messi’s qualifier goals tally and standing at the cusp of history as he aims for a sixth World Cup appearance.
As these global narratives unfold, the question remains: will the upcoming World Cup serve as a ‘Last Dance’ for icons like Messi and Ronaldo? Their legacies, laden with a remarkable rivalry, will undoubtedly shape the sport’s future narrative.
