The United States Men's National Team has long been searching for a reliable, coherent attacking identity. On a balmy evening against Paraguay, head c...
The United States Men's National Team has long been searching for a reliable, coherent attacking identity. On a balmy evening against Paraguay, head coach Gregg Berhalter may have stumbled upon a potent formula, one built around the burgeoning chemistry of two Serie A exports. The sight of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie combining with such fluidity in the final third was a timely reminder of the quality simmering beneath the surface of American football.It was McKennie, the Juventus midfielder, who set the tone. His ability to break lines with a pass, or carry the ball through the heart of a defence, is a valuable commodity. On this occasion, he found Pulisic in a pocket of space that Paraguayan defence simply could not police. The AC Milan winger, never one to waste an opportunity, drove at the heart of the backline. His shot, deflected cruelly past the helpless Paraguay goalkeeper by an unfortunate Miguel Bobadilla, was less about luck and more about the relentless pressure that had been building. The own goal, though a cruel blow for Bobadilla, was a direct product of American intent.What impressed most, however, was not the goal itself but the tactical flexibility on display. The USA did not retreat into a shell after taking the lead. They maintained a high press, offering Paraguay no respite. McKennie, stationed as the advanced midfielder, repeatedly crashed the box, while Pulisic drifted inside from the left, creating a menacing overload. It was transitional play of the highest order, leaving the visitors chasing shadows for long stretches. For a squad often criticized for lacking a cutting edge, this performance was a stark, welcome deviation from the norm. The question now, of course, is whether this level of cohesion can be replicated against stiffer, more disciplined European opposition. For one night, at least, the American midfield showed it can boss a game against a South American side that traditionally prides itself on grit.
