United States vs. Japan — an abysmal showing by the USMNT
Defensive errors and attacking woes compose the story of the Americans throughout this match.
Within the first minute of the match, the USMNT’s left-center-back, Aaron Long, made an ill-timed progressive pass which was swiftly intercepted, effectively enabling Japan to counter immediately. This is the defensive instability that plagued the United States’ back-line, and this is the offensive output that Japan produced in their tendency to capitalize off of such mistakes. Only three minutes later, deja vu struck again as Sergiño Dest dribbled aimlessly into center-field, where Japan’s Wataru Endo exposed the wing-back’s vulnerability en route to another counter-attack. Again, less than 10 minutes passed and USA found themselves on the defensive as a result of another error, this time as a consequence of a lazy pass from Walker Zimmerman. Goalkeeper Matt Turner did his best to withstand the attacking barrage unleashed upon him as a result of a paper-thin protection, as he saved 6 of Japan’s 8 shots on target, but those remaining two attempts unfortunately slipped by him. Ironically, the U.S.’ first conceded goal came from another mistake during build-up play by Weston McKennie, as there was little to no chemistry between wing-backs Dest and Sam Vines and the squad’s midfield. Japan’s attackers took advantage of these miscommunications, in addition to the narrow position of USA’s center-backs that left their opponents with the freedom of creativity around the border of the penalty box.
Japan’s aggression, as depicted by their 16 fouls, worked wonders to force the already shaky Americans into making unwanted decisions. While the U.S. was more accurate than Japan when distributing within their own half, they were over 10% less successful than the Japanese when in the opposite half. Expectedly, the U.S. dominated in the air and in general physical challenges, but their nonexistent composure is what did them in. The USMNT simply could not execute their attacks, made most evident by their abysmal 4 shots (0 on target) to Japan’s 16.
