Patriots with a lot to prove — analyzing the U.S.’ current attackers
Will the American attackers prove themselves?
*All stats sourced from Wyscout S.p.A. and FB Reference*
With the international break on the horizon, it’s time to actually take a look at what we Americans have in store for the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup. This is the first installment in a 4-part series that will analyze the U.S. squad’s attackers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers.
Brenden Aaronson: Jesse Marsch has deployed Brenden Aaronson as the centerpiece of his extreme press within the final third of the pitch. Aaronson ranks in the 99th percentile within the top 5 European leagues (in the past year) for pressures per 90 minutes at an absurd rate of 24.8. Aaronson has not found his prowess with finishing, as he has only managed 6 goals in the past calendar year, but he has carved out an ability to intrude upon the final third with his 2.67 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (in the past year), and his relatively clean record for long-ball distribution
Paul Arriola: In contrast to Aaronson, Paul Arriola has established himself as a justified poacher. Arriola ranks in the 89th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes (in the past year) in the MLS, and positions himself nicely, as evident by his 7.45 progressive passes received per 90. Don’t expect much individual creativity or defensive urgency with Arriola, but he’ll serve as a complementary aspect to the United States’ relatively active front-line.
Jesús Ferreira: An all-encompassing #9, Jesús Ferreira not only puts away goals, but can create them as well. Ferreira is critical in build-up play with his 3.35 progressive passes and 2.46 passes into the final third per 90. His contribution to the attack is only accentuated by his talent for consistently staying on target, as over half of his shots in the past year follow that tendency. Ferreira can also track back on defense if needed, as he ranks in the 88th percentile for tackles in the defensive third in relation to all MLS forwards in the past year.
Jordan Morris: Jordan Morris is an offensive-minded member of the left-flank, who is often keen on cherry-picking rather than dropping back. Morris is lethal within the penalty box, as depicted by his 5.79 touches per 90 minutes inside of it, alongside his 1.44 carries per 90 into it as well. He is certainly a defensive liability, but he fits the mold as a mercurial attacking-winger.
Ricardo Pepi: After Ricardo Pepi’s disappointing tenure with Augsburg in the Bundesliga, the 19-year-old striker now finds himself in the Eredivisie with Groningen. Pepi has not received many opportunities to shine in the Netherlands yet, but the potential is there, especially when referring back to his breakout 2021 season in the MLS. In said season, Pepi managed 16 goals and 3 assists. Similar to Arriola, Pepi is mostly restricted to minimal movements and is often not an offensive catalyst (89th percentile for passes intercepted for forwards), so hopefully he can regain his form with the imminent pressure of the World Cup.
Christian Pulisic: Captain America has also been a victim of minimal opportunities to showcase his natural attacking aptitude, but in the chances he has received, he has been considerably efficient. Pulisic presses hard and manages to get pretty much all of his shots off within the penalty box. Furthermore, he finds crevices to cut into with his 8.45 progressive passes received per 90 minutes (in the past year). The Chelsea winger gets dispossessed way too often, and is sometimes reckless with the ball at his feet, but he should still remain a leader for his proficiency at the highest levels of international soccer.
Gio Reyna: The most versatile positional player in this group, Dortmund has implemented Gio Reyna anywhere in the midfield, whether its further back or in an attacking role, as well as on the wing. Reyna is the most effective in his innate position within the attacking area, but it’s always nice to have a swiss-army knife on the squad. Reyna has already managed 2 assists in just 257 minutes of the 2022–2023 Bundesliga season. He has also been incredibly persistent on the other side of the ball with his 32% pressure success rate and 50% of opposing dribblers tackled per 90 minutes (in the past year).
Josh Sargent: The Norwich center-forward has been a revelation in the past month of matches in the Championship. 6 goals in his last 6 games, Sargent’s offensive improvements can possibly be attributed to his growing assertiveness, as he has attempted 144 duels in these mentioned matches. His performances have also coincided with his transition to the right-flank instead of his typical central style of play, further advancing his dynamism as an attacker.
