USMNT

USMNT First Qualifier Window: The Tactical Story

Published

4 years ago

September 9, 2021

Shawn Brooks

The US made it out of the first qualifying window with the minimum points required to call it a success. The general rule for qualifying in CONCACAF is to win your home games and draw your away games. That usually gets you at least in knocking distance if not all the way in. For this set of matches, the US had two away games and one home. If they won their home game and drew their away games, then that’s 5 points.

The US chose the harder path to 5 points. They drew one away game and their home game. To get the minimum, they needed a win against Honduras. They get it in dramatic fashion. After looking disorganized and defeated in the first half with a score of 0-1. The US came back and won 4-1.

This window was stressful for fans. The US started with a draw to El Salvador in what was a very winnable game. Winning away in CONCACAF is hard. Many veteran players defended the draw. The fields are bad. The environment is very hostile. The refs are questionable. There is no VAR and all our European based players were required to do a lot of travel.

Fans went into the game with Canada with a lot of hope. I was at the USMNT vs Canada game in Nashville and the crowd was great. We win this game and we’re on path to at least make par. The US struggles all game to score and ends up with a draw at home.

This is where I became very worried. I wasn’t worried because of the points. It’s still very early in qualifying. Weird things can and do happen. I was worried because of what I think I saw in the tactical story.

The last two managers for the US have talked about pushing the USMNT into the new era. Under their leadership, the US would play attractive, possession based soccer. There is a lot of debate about how much that should be a focus. Berhalter came in three years ago with that promise. It was so heavily stated that Lalas early on questioned if Berhalter was too romantic or practical enough to get wins.

The first test of these ideas were in the first year. Teams worked to press our backline. US struggled mightily to pass out of the back. Passing from our defensive third s to the attacking half is a first foundational piece of a possession game. We lost heavily to Mexico in a friendly trying to pass out of the back. That was a friendly, however and can be excused. Then we lost to Canada in the Nation’s league. That rocked the boat. Was Berhalter so tied to a style of play instead of finding the correct tactical approach to win?

The answer was no. They used direct play to find transition opportunities to punish Canada in the next game. They then used that tactic against every other team they faced over the next year that tried a pressing strategy. Whenever pressed, the US turned them into transition opportunities.

The following year the USMNT added a high press to their toolbox. Again they were focused on pressing and winning the ball to generate scoring chances. This worked well in many games. It was again scoring via transition opportunities, though these were much more self created.

This is what the US has traditionally been very good at. Most of my best memories are the US scoring on counters and transitions. Many of our best players such as Pulisic, Reyna, Adams, and Mckennie, Robinson- all play for teams who excel in transition. Few of our players play day in and day out on teams that do anything else. Pulisic plays for Chelsea but struggles for playing time if it’s a game where he is unlikely to attack in transition.

The US coach, coaching at the highest level for RB Leipzig, focuses on the press and scoring in transition.

The US players, coaches and system simply do not have a history, reputation or extensive experience breaking teams down with possession. The only games I can think where we have done that have been against teams where the US had an immense talent advantage.

This is why many fans and some coaches have said this should be our identity.

Identity though is philosophy. Tactics are about ideas to win games. Tactically, there are four phases of the game. Without the ball, with the ball, transitions, and set pieces. Transitions are only one phase and just about any decent team can focus and take away a strength in one phase of play.

The Red Bulls soccer franchise has been built on the high press. Yet before Jesse Marsch they hired Julian Naglesmann. He was brought in to bring more possession oriented attack to a franchise that struggled against teams that took away transitions.

All of that is to say- Canada came into the game with the US with one goal. Take away the transition play. Canada had already tried pressing the US into submission with poor effect. All the US did was play direct and create transition attacks. If Canada tried to possess the ball, US pressed and turned those into transition attacks.

So Canada decided to remove those transition attacks. They did this by doing a few things. One, they attacked directly with no intent to score with possession. Second, when they lost the ball, the attackers immediately counter pressed to keep the US from attacking quickly. This meant that as soon as Robinson or Adams wins the ball, a Canadian attacker was in his face. This forced the US to make a choice. Try to beat that attacker 1v1 in your own defensive 3^rd (very dangerous) or pass it backwards and move it around the pressing player. If they all out pressed, the US players can keep doing that until they find a man free enough to hit a direct (longer) pass.

Canada didn’t all out press though. A US player couldn’t win the ball, pass to a teammate and then attack directly to punish it. As soon as the first line of press was broken, they fell back into a low block and took away the space behind them. The direct option was rarely there. They were particularly watchful of Pulisic.

This forced the US to progress more slowly up the field. It forced the US to try and win the game via possession. The US simply couldn’t do it. They could not break Canada down. The one time the US scored, it was a rare transition opportunity.

I’ll go into later what the US tried and why it didn’t work. The point being- they could not break a decent (not stellar) team with possession.

This seemed to shake the US confidence. I was personally concerned this could turn into a criss. Soccer tactics are about problems and solutions. Defense creates problems and offense has to find solutions (or ideas) to solve those problems. Throughout the last 3 years, for every problem presented to the US, they found a solution tactically but it was almost always a way to score in transition or set pieces.

Canada has provided the US with a boogeyman. The problem to solve is how can the US break down a decent team and win with possession? Of course other teams would copy this. Honduras was already averaging 30% possession going into the match. If the US did not solve this problem- a problem we have spent years trying to solve- qualifying could be at risk. It had players, such as Pulisic, saying things like they needed new ideas. New ideas is soccer speak for they needed new ways to solve this problem.

So the US came out against Honduras with a whole new formation and with multiple new personnel. They came out with a slew of new ideas to tackle this problem. They put in 3 good CB passers to break the lines and spread the ball. They put in Sands (a good deep passer) at the 6. Acosta next to him who is also a good deep passer. They put in Bello, a creative player, who can attack in the halfspace. They started two strikers to take up defenders and create more connections and space for our creative players such as Pulisic. I have to think their training session(s) were evolved around breaking the low block.

Then Honduras surprised us all with a pressing strategy. The result was first half mayhem. Sands, a very good passer, suddenly is trying to cover a lot of space. The answer to pressing is to play direct. So CB’s are trying to play long balls. Strikers and wings are trying to get in behind. The chaos spread out the backline from the attackers. This created more midfield problems. Already ill suited to cover space, players like Sands were having to cover more space.

Then the unthinkable happened. As CB’s tried to play direct and attackers tried to get in behind, our cm’s struggled to cover ground. Sands in particular, a very good passer but with more CB speed, slipped and slid all over the field trying to keep up with attackers. This opened up space in the midfield. Brooks correctly stepped up but missed the challenge. Honduras broke our defensive line and the attacking oriented Bello was slow to react. Honduras scored first.

The team looked defeated. Their energy dropped. Their tactics were confused and our best players started trying to play hero ball.

At half time, Berhalter righted the ship. He switched out the players who were in their to beat a low block and went with a pressing strategy. Aaronson for Sargent. He plays for RB and knows how to win the ball and attack. Robinson who is fast, aggressive and good defensively replaced the creative Bello. Llegett came on for Brooks so we could add more midfield stability and move away from the back three. All moves geared to win the ball, transition and score.

If Honduras dropped back into a low block, the US could have faced the exact same problem they faced against Canada. For some unknown reason, Honduras didn’t drop back into a low block. The US could play right into their strengths with aggressive transition play. We won the game 4-1 through turnovers, transitions, and excellent play from the subs.

Mostly I think fans felt relief. It was a solid win away for game most of us penciled in as a draw before the window started. We had 5 points total. It didn’t go at all to plan but we have the minimum needed to feel like the window was successful. We’re sitting in good shape in the table with a plethora of easier games and home games available.

A big looming question remains for the US. This is supposed to be a golden generation. It’s supposed to be the pivotal world cup cycle when the US talent pipeline opens up and we start to see who we can become as a soccer nation. The team says they want to change how the world sees the US when it comes to this sport.

Yet Canada found a weakness in this golden generation. Canada not only successful achieved a draw in a game the US needed to win, but they rattled the team. They caused them to overcompensate going into the next game. That overcompensation almost caused a loss that would have erased all the good will and excitement generated by two domestic trophies.

Right now, qualifying for the World Cup may hinge on the US solving the one problem that has eluded us for decades. When we get into the next window, who will have learned more? The US or our opponents? Can the US win games against good opponents without transition play?

Can the US win with possession against good teams?

Time will tell. I hope so.

Club News

The constructing of a World Cup roster

Published

1 week ago

September 13, 2025

Thomas Deschaine

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.

He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”

If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.

Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.

Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?

Goalkeepers

Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.

Chris Brady
Drake Callender
Roman Celentano
Matt Freese
Ethan Horvath
Jonathan Klinsmann
Diego Kochen
Patrick Schulte
Zack Steffen
Matt Turner

Fullbacks

Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.

Max Arfsten
Sergino Dest
Alex Freeman
Marlon Fossey
DeJuan Jones
Kristoffer Lund
Shaquell Moore
Antonee Robinson
Joe Scally
John Tolkin

Centerbacks

Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.

Noahkai Banks
Tristan Blackmon
George Campbell
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Mark McKenzie
Tim Ream
Chris Richards
Miles Robinson
Auston Trusty
Walker Zimmerman

Central Midfielders

The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.

Tyler Adams
Sebastian Berhalter
Gianluca Busio
Johnny Cardoso
Ben Cremaschi
Luca de la Torre
Emeka Eneli
Jack McGlynn
Weston McKennie
Aidan Morris
Yunus Musah
Tanner Tessmann
Sean Zawadzki

Attacking Midfielders

There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.

Brenden Aaronson
Paxten Aaronson
Brian Gutiérrez
Djordje Mihailovic
Matko Miljevic
Gio Reyna
Malik Tillman

Wingers

The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.

Cade Cowell
Diego Luna
Christian Pulisic
Quinn Sullivan
Indiana Vassilev
Tim Weah
Haji Wright
Alejandro Zendejas

Strikers

Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.

Patrick Agyemang
Folarin Balogun
Damion Downs
Jesus Ferreira
Ricardo Pepi
Josh Sargent
Brandon Vazquez
Brian White

Conclusion

It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.

Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.

But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.

USMNT

Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky

Published

2 months ago

July 21, 2025

Marcus O'Malley

Caring for Villa Hills, Fort Thomas, Union, Florence, Crestview Hills and Northern Kentucky

Over the past few years, I’ve written here at Chasing A Cup about family, faith, leadership, and walking through life with intention. Some of you have been reading since the early days. Some of you prayed for my family. Some of you even rolled up your sleeves and gave blood — blood that was meant for my mom and others like her in their time of need.

I’ll never forget that.

Three years ago, my mom passed away. It was a season of heartbreak, but also one of clarity. As I stood beside my family — and as I supported others in our community grieving their own parents — I came to understand how deeply care matters. Not just in hospitals or emergencies, but in the everyday: the quiet, complicated, deeply human moments that make up the final chapters of someone’s life.

That realization stayed with me. And over time, it changed the direction of my work.

For most of my career, I worked in product management — building teams, delivering systems, and leading with structure and strategy. I still believe in all of that. But I also wanted to build something more personal. Something rooted not just in outcomes, but in presence and compassion.

That’s why Sarah and I decided to open a Caring Excellence office in Northern Kentucky.

Caring Excellence has been serving families across Kentucky for over 13 years. It’s a family-owned, fully licensed home care agency that specializes in non-medical, in-home support for seniors and adults — help with daily living, memory care, companionship, and more. And now, we’re proud to bring that same level of compassionate, character-driven care to Florence and the surrounding region.

Our new Northern Kentucky office serves families in places like Villa Hills, Union, Fort Thomas, Crestview Hills, and Florence — communities filled with multi-generational households, strong family ties, and seniors who deserve to age with dignity.

At Caring Excellence, we focus on people first. We don’t just fill schedules — we carefully match caregivers to clients based on personality, needs, and values. Sarah leads our caregiver hiring, drawing from her years of experience as both a caregiver and healthcare professional. She looks not just for skill, but for heart — people of integrity, empathy, and real compassion.

As for me, I now use my business background to support the team behind the scenes — building systems, developing processes, and making sure our caregivers have the tools and training they need to serve others well.

This new venture is deeply personal. It’s also missional. It’s about stepping into people’s lives when they need support most and offering something simple, but powerful: peace of mind.

We’re not moving to Florence, but we’re fully committed to this region. We’re investing in it — by hiring local caregivers, building relationships with local providers, and offering families home care in Northern Kentucky a trusted option for high-quality home care.

To those of you who’ve been on this journey with me — through writing, through prayer, through donating blood when we needed it most — thank you. I hope this new chapter reflects what we’ve always believed in here: that service matters, character counts, and small acts of care can ripple further than we think.

If you know someone in Northern Kentucky who needs support — in Union, Villa Hills, Crestview Hills, Fort Thomas, or Florence — we’d be honored to walk alongside them.

Thanks for reading, and for being part of the story.

—Marcus

Learn More
To learn more about Caring Excellence and our in-home care services for Northern Kentucky families, visit:
https://caringexcellenceathome.com/northern-kentucky-office

USMNT

Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

Published

3 months ago

June 14, 2025

Thomas Deschaine

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.

The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.

It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?

The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.

The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60

Gold Cup Player Stats

Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.

Goals

18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira

Assists

16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey

Wins

17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner

Shutouts

14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner

Captain

10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna

Gold Cup Manager Stats

Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.

Matches Coached

25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan

Matches Won

19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4

Gold Cup Trophies

3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic

Conclusion

In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.