So the US is 3-0 under new head coach Gregg Berhalter with 3 shutouts. I think we will learn a lot tonight as the US will finally face a seriously offensive squad in Chile. I am sad to see Adams has gone home and the coach plans to play new players tonight. I was excited to see Brooks and Long together in the middle against a real offense. Hopefully we’ll see Ream on the left again playing a role he has also played with Fulham in the altered 3 man defense. I thought the US dominated play vs a good Ecuador team – and had by far the most chances. Lots of combo passing up front – I thought Pulisic was just ok – but did have a chance to score. Hugely sad to see Weston Mckinney get hurt – man – just devastating he might miss the rest of the German season – hopefully he’ll be back for Gold Cup. Man I still think about Adams and McKinney in the middle holding down the d-mid spots. Anyway – I think you can see the new coach has a plan and is still trying to implement it. So far – so good.
Sad to see the U23s went 1-1 this past weekend – Weah and Sargent up front for that team is huge. I really hope they qualify for the Olympics – and perhaps Tyler Adams, McKinney and even Pulisic could perhaps join them next summer. Wow that would be good for this young group. Anyway USA vs Chile tonight – 7:55 pm on ESPN2.
Indy 11
Our Indy 11 got a huge 3-2 win at Charlotte this past weekend. The 11 are at Lucas Oil Stadium this Saturday night 7 pm vs Hartford Athletic for the HOME OPENER- Get your season ticket package today by visiting IndyEleven.com/season-tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 for those first game tickets!
USA
Building Blocks On Display vs Ecuador –Jeff Carlisle ESPNFC
U.S. Player Ratings: Adams adapts seamlessly to new role
Zardes Deflected Goal Gives US the win over Ecuador
Gonzalez & Etha Horvath (GK) look to make impression
Jason Kreis takes over U-23s job make the Olympics
Kreis Excited to be with U23s – US Soccer
Bright Futures for U20 and U23 teams
US Ladies 24 for April 4 & 7 Friendlies vs Australia/Belgium
WNT HEAD COACH JILL ELLIS’ Q&A
Indy 11
3 Things win over Charlotte 3-2
BYB Away Game Watch Parties Around Town
GAMES ON TV
Tues, Mar 26
2:45 pm ESPN3 Czech Republic vs Brazil
2:45 pm ESPN3 Norway vs Sweden
8 pm ESPN 2 USA vs Chile
Fri, March 29
3:30 pm FS2 Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen
Sat, March 30
8:30 am NBCSN Fulham vs Man City
10:30 am Fox Soccer Dortmund (Pulisic) vs Wolfsburg (Brooks)
11 am NBCSN Man United vs Watford
1 pm EPSN+ Chicago Fire vs NY RB
1:30 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Everton
1:30 pm Fox Sports 2 RB Leipzig (Adams) vs Hertha
6:30 pm ESPN+ Cincy vs Philly
7 pm MyIndyTV, ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Hartford Athletic
Sun, March 31
9 am NBCSN Cardiff vs Chelsea
9 am ESPN news Roma vs Napoli
9 am FS 1 Hanover vs Schalke
11:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Tottenham
1 pm EPSN+ Chicago Fire vs NY RB
6:30 pm FS 1 Orlando vs DC United
9 pm ESPN2 LA Galaxy vs Portland
Mon, Apr 1
3:30 pm NBCSN Arsenal vs NewCastle United (Yedlin)
Tues, Apr 2
3:30 pm NBCSN Wolverhampton vs Man United
Wed, Apr 3
2:45 pm ESPN+ Schalke vs Werder Bremen (Sargent)
3:30 pm NBCSN Man City vs Cardiff
3:30 pm beIN Sport Valencia vs Real Madrid
Thurs, Apr 4
3:30 pm FS 1 USA Women vs Australia
Fri, Apr 5
3:30 pm NBCSN Southampton vs Liverpool
10 pm ESPN+ Vancouver vs LA Galaxy
Sat, April 6
12:3o pm ESPN+ Man City vs Brighton FA Cup
1 pm EPSN+ Chicago Fire vs NY RB
1:30 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Everton
12:30 pm Fox Sports 2 Bayern Munich vs Dortmund (Pulisic)
3 pm FOX DC United vs LA FC
Sun, April 7
9 am NBCSN Everton vs Arsenal
11 am ESPN+ Watford vs Wolverhampton FA Cup
1:30 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Everton
12:30 pm Fox Sports 2 Borussia MGladbach (Johnson) vs Werder Breman (Sargent)
3 pm ESPN Cincy vs Sporting KC
9 pm ESPN2 USA Ladies vs Belgium
Tues, April 9 Champions League
3 pm BRLive/Univision Desp Liverpool vs Porto
3 pm TNT Tottenham vs Manchester City
Weds, April 10 Champions League
3 pm TNT Man United vs Barcelona
3 pm BRLive/Univision Desp Ajax vs Juventus
United States’ McKennie expected to miss rest of Bundesliga season – source
n examines the challenges facing Gregg Berhalter’s team and the struggles of Christian Pulisic. (1:45)
2:17 PM ETJeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent
United States and Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie is expected to miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season with a left ankle injury suffered in the U.S.’s 1-0 friendly victory over Ecuador on Thursday, a source has told ESPN FC.McKennie, 20, left that game in the 68th minute and was later ruled out of this week’s friendly against Chile with what Schalke on Monday called a “ruptured” ankle ligament.U.S. Soccer’s description of the injury on Monday was not as ominous, however, stating that McKennie suffered a “moderate to high degree left ankle sprain” and was expected to “miss several weeks.”The former FC Dallas Academy product saw a specialist in Houston over the weekend. No fractures were found, though a source with knowledge of the injury said the midfielder is expected to be out eight weeks.That timeframe would see McKennie miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season but should allow him to take part in this summer’s Gold Cup.”I think with these injuries you take it week by week in terms of it being an ankle injury and the severity,” said U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter. “We’re confident that [McKennie is] going to recover in a good way.”The language of Schalke’s release versus our release is semantics. I think it’s an ankle sprain. There’s some ligament damage, and you wait for the ligaments to heal. You start doing your rehab now; he can start biking, doing pool running now, and he can get there. He’ll recover.”McKennie has returned to Germany for treatment.
Tyler Adams adapts seamlessly to new role in 8/10 showing as U.S. beats Ecuador
Jason DavisU.S. soccer writer
In the first match under Gregg Berhalter with the full squad available for selection, the United States found an unlikely goal against Ecuador in an encouraging, but somewhat frustrating, 1-0 victory Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
Positives
With a plan clearly in place through Berhalter’s direction, the U.S. looked cohesive and prepared. The Americans dominated possession, controlling the ball and the pace of the game for the bulk of play. They were proactive and aggressive, pushing up against Ecuador’s low block in a bid to break through.
Negatives
With the South Americans unwilling (or unable) to venture forward, the United States largely lacked the final product necessary to create clear-cut chances. The lone goal of the evening can only be termed a fluke, but it did come from a player’s willingness to take a shot — something the U.S. lacked otherwise.
Manager rating out of 10
6 — The good of the night can mostly be chalked up to Berhalter installing a system and sending out his charges with a clear idea of how to execute that system. While the match was important as a measure of progress, it was still a friendly; that makes it difficult to judge Berhalter fairly with the limits of a noncompetitive environment and an opponent who refused to engaged.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Sean Johnson, 6 — Asked to do very little but serve as a passing outlet at the back. Made zero saves on the night, passed the ball smartly as the Americans looked to build out of the back.
DF Tyler Adams, 8 — Adapted seamlessly to the “flex” role created by Berhalter. Played a conservative first 15 minutes before proceeding to roam across the field. Excellent with the ball at his feet, excellent defending, absolutely tireless.
DF Aaron Long, 8 — Among the best players on the field for the Americans. Strong in one-on-one defending when called upon, used speed to cover for space left by Adams roaming out of the right-back position.
DF John Brooks, 7 — Made key passes from the back, aided in cutting out lines and advancing the Americans up the field in attack. Smart and clean with defending. Missed three passes all night.
DF Tim Ream, 6 — Minus a late bobble that nearly gifted Ecuador a goal, played as a smart and effective stay-at-home left-back. Understood the role in a shifting line, with the caveat that a better team might have exploited a lack of foot speed.
MF Wil Trapp, 7 — Pulled all the strings from a deep-lying position, playing smart passes over the course of 59 minutes. Dropped the ball over a packed-in defense when needed, benefited from defensive help in midfield.
MF Weston McKennie, 5 — Forced off due to a silly challenge that ended with an injured ankle. Good in the air but otherwise too loose with the ball. Mobile and committed on the defensive side of the ball.
MF Christian Pulisic, 5 — Playing with a high bar based on his importance to the attack, he was moderately effective, with a few moments of good play mixed with wastefulness and a tendency to give the ball away.
FW Paul Arriola, 5 — Industrious up and down the left flank. Lacked the final ball to make that work count.
FW Jordan Morris, 4 — His night was marked mostly by poor moments and indecisiveness. Lost his mark in abetting Ecuador’s best chance, passed up numerous opportunities to take defenders on one-on-one from the right wing.
FW Gyasi Zardes, 5 — Benefited from a deflection on the goal but made the moment happen. Limited as part of the attack. Had a few good touches.
Substitutes
MF Michael Bradley, 5 — Benefited from the game slowing down and Ecuador being content to sit back. Not perfect with the ball, but clean enough.
MF Sebastian Lletget, N/R — Added energy and aggression after entering. Was willing to check to the ball and add to the defensive pressure.
FW DeAndre Yedlin, N/R — Stayed pinned to the touchline in a limited appearance higher up the field than usually deployed.
MF Cristian Roldan, N/R — Missed several passes, largely because of a desire to play aggressively.
FW Jonathan Lewis, N/R — Provided a few good moments going forward but wasn’t much of a factor as a late substitute.
U.S. win over Ecuador showed players taking ideas on board – Berhalter
Mar 22, 2019Jeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent
ORLANDO — United States men’s national team manager Gregg Berhalter said he was proud of his team’s effort in a 1-0 win over Ecuador, even as it struggled to turn its territorial domination into goals.
The home side prevailed on Gyasi Zardes‘ deflected effort in the 81st minute, but the U.S. was in control for much of the night, holding Ecuador to just one shot at goal. Given the U.S. had just three practices beforehand, Berhalter said he was pleased with the performance.
“I credited the guys in the locker room, I said I’m really proud of the effort, I’m proud of the openness to try things and to try to execute the movements,” he said. “And if some of the timing is off, that’s all right. As long as they recognized the moments and are trying to do it.”Ecuador operated out of a low block defensively and tried to hit the U.S. on the counter. And even with Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adamsall making their first starts under Berhalter, this strategy created some difficulty in terms of chance creation for the U.S.The home side did create a great opportunity in the 26th minute, with an intricate exchange of passes setting up Paul Arriola for a clear look at goal, but Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez thwarted the resulting shot. And though Wil Trapp was able to release Arriola on a few other occasions, the U.S. was not able to break through for a goal until late.”I thought in the first half we created some good moves, and were able to penetrate around the edge and get the ball in front of goal,” Berhalter said. “We were unlucky not to score with Paul [Arriola] in the first half, and created a number of, I’d say, half chances that should have amounted to more. Overall, I think when you look at the amount of information we’ve given the guys in the last two days, we’re pleased with the performance. It’s a good starting point for this group.”Berhalter added he was pleased with the team’s defensive effort. The center back tandem of John Brooks and Aaron Long was rarely troubled, and when called upon managed to keep Ecuador’s attackers in check.”Overall, our collective defense was good. We didn’t really give them any openings,” Berhalter said. “They couldn’t find penetrating passes. They resorted to long balls and those guys gobbled everything up. I think from a team standpoint, I was happy with the defensive shape, happy with the structure. It was good that our center backs, even when they were up the field, can win every duel that comes out. It was really impressive.”The biggest lowlight of the night for the U.S. came midway through the second half when McKennie fell awkwardly after attempting to head the ball away. The midfielder appeared to sprain his left ankle, though Berhalter said the player would undergo an MRI as well as have X-rays taken.”Everyone feels bad for Weston and the injury, no question,” Berhalter said. “But we realize that’s part of our sport. When you lace up the boots and go out there and compete, there is some injury risk. This was a strange play where he went up for the header and the opponent didn’t go up and challenge, so he bent over and that resulted in Weston tumbling over him and twisting his ankle. We hope that it’s not as severe as it could be, and we’re going to get it evaluated tonight.”Zardes’ goal, coming after an Ecuador turnover and a quick pass forward from U.S. captain Tim Ream, left the U.S. with a better feeling.”We’ve done zero work on offensive transition, and we were able to score in an offensive transition. That was good,” Berhalter said. “But I think on the day, [if] we’re a little bit sharper on some plays, a little bit more precise, then we end up breaking them down. What I really liked from the guys is the effort to continue to try to break then down in a way that we’re giving them.”I thought in the second half we could have operated with more diagonal balls, especially as we got them to shift to one side. Later in the game they dropped Valencia back into a back five to protect that, but that was space we could have exploited a little bit better.”
USSF hires Jason Kreis to take charge of U.S. Under-23s
Mar 19, 2019Jeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent
- The U.S. Soccer Federation has named Jason Kreis to be the manager of the U.S. Under-23 national team.The appointment means Kreis will oversee the team’s qualification effort for the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo.”Jason’s qualities and experience made him stand out as the best candidate to lead our U23 men’s national team in this important cycle towards the 2020 Olympics,” said men’s national team general manager Earnie Stewart.”The U23s are a meaningful part of our program, and Jason is an experienced head coach with significant success both in league and CONCACAF competitions. His knowledge of the player pool is impressive, and we are confident in his ability to implement the style of play we are building with the senior MNT and throughout our national teams. We appreciate the willingness of Inter Miami CF to allow us the opportunity to take advantage of Jason’s abilities to guide this group.”Kreis, 46, recently joined the technical staff of MLS expansion side Inter Miami FC. He will continue in that role in addition to his new duties with the U23s.Kreis had three stints as a manager with MLS clubs. He spent parts of seven seasons with Real Salt Lake, leading RSL to an MLS Cup triumph in 2009, becoming the youngest head coach in MLS history to do so. All told, he led RSL to six consecutive postseason appearances, as well as a run to the 2013 MLS Cup final. He also spent one season in charge of New York City FC, and parts of three seasons managing Orlando City FC.”It’s a tremendous opportunity,” Kreis said. “It’s an opportunity to be a part of a new system under the leadership of Gregg Berhalter and Earnie Stewart leading the national team the way that they are. It’s an opportunity to work with the country’s brightest young stars, and it’s an opportunity to represent your country. In my opinion, that’s the highest honor of all.”Kreis will lead the U23s at its training camp this week in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain. The U23s are slated to take on Egypt on March 22 and the Netherlands on March 24.The camp marks the beginning of a long journey to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, with Kreis aiming to guide the USA to qualification for its first men’s Olympic football tournament since 2008.
U.S. U-23 MNT Roster by Position (Club; Hometown):
GOALKEEPERS: Jonathan Klinsmann (Hertha BSC/GER; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.)
DEFENDERS: Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy; Lompac, Calif.), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; Southend-on-Sea, England), Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers; Portland, Ore.), Jack Maher (Indiana; Caseyville, Ill.), Matthew Olosunde (Manchester United/ENG; Trenton, N.J.), Donovan Pines (D.C. United; Clarksville, Md.), Lucas Pos (FC Lausanne-Sport/SUI; Irvine, Calif.), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; Milton Keyes, England), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; Arlington, Mass.)
MIDFIELDERS: Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Penn.), Cameron Lindley (Orlando City SC; Carmel, Ind.), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; Lemont, Ill.), Keaton Parks (New York City FC; Plano, Texas), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; Alexandria, Va.), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; St. Paul, Minn.)
FORWARDS: Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Josh Perez (LAFC; La Habra, Calif.), Emmanuel Sabbi (Hobro IK/DEN; Columbus, Ohio), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; O’Fallon, MO), Tim Weah (Celtic FC/SCO; Rosedale, N.Y.), Haji Wright (Schalke/GER; Los Angeles, Calif.)
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