U.S. falls to South Korea: Concern in preparation for the World Cup?

The United States men’s national team, despite the 2-0 defeat against South Korea, projects an image of optimism. However, the reality on the field suggests a different story.

Pochettino’s Analysis and the Players’ Perspective

The coach, Mauricio Pochettino, stated that his team was “better than South Korea” due to the opportunities created. Tyler Adams, the captain, added that the incorporation of new players and the return of some veterans was positive. However, these statements contrast with the evidence of the game.

I don’t think it was a bad performance.

Tyler Adams

• USMNT player evaluation: 3/10 for Pochettino, highlighting defensive issues.
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South Korea tested the American defense from the start, with Son Heung-Min as the main threat. Lee Jae-Sung found space to assist Son, who scored the first goal. Before halftime, a clever combination led to Son being brought down, and Lee Dong-Gyeong scored the second goal. In both goals, the American defense was overwhelmed, leaving the defenders isolated. Tim Ream acknowledged that there were moments when the players were further apart than usual. While Tristan Blackmon deserves criticism, the problem goes beyond a single player. Sergiño Dest did not offer the expected defensive help, and the midfield was passive in protecting the defensive line.

Our roles got a little distorted. In the first half they found solutions with ease. We talked about it at halftime… We just missed our [defensive] triggers on a lot of them and were a little late to jump, and when you’re late to jump, you end up chasing shadows, and that’s how it felt at times.

Tyler Adams

In the second half, with the entry of Chris Richards and the change to a three-man defensive line, there was an improvement. However, the United States could not score a goal, and South Korea maintained control. The lack of positive results and inconsistent performance raise questions about the team’s direction. The last time the United States offered an outstanding performance against a World Cup rival was a while ago. Pochettino argues that the results will not be crucial until next summer’s World Cup. However, generating momentum and confidence is essential for the team.

I love the feeling of winning, so I would like to win matches before the World Cup. But I understand the [Pochettino’s] thought process and we talked about it in the sense that you can still have good performances and not necessarily get the result. But yes, I think at some point it’s important to have some results.

Tyler Adams

The preparation time for the World Cup is running out, but Pochettino seems to be exploring different player options. The player combinations are also not always the most suitable. The pairing of Tim Weah and Dest on the right side worked in the previous cycle. The combination of Christian Pulisic and Dest can expose the American defense. Pochettino is taking a considerable risk, betting on finding the necessary chemistry before the preparation time for the World Cup ends. The hope is that positive results will come soon, starting against Japan.