{"id":209617,"date":"2024-08-16T08:47:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T08:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/08\/16\/usa-vs-ghana-score-result-highlights-as-gio-reyna-brace-sparks-usmnt-onslaught-in-friendly\/"},"modified":"2024-08-16T08:47:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T08:47:27","slug":"usa-vs-ghana-score-result-highlights-as-gio-reyna-brace-sparks-usmnt-onslaught-in-friendly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/08\/16\/usa-vs-ghana-score-result-highlights-as-gio-reyna-brace-sparks-usmnt-onslaught-in-friendly\/","title":{"rendered":"USA vs Ghana score, result, highlights as Gio Reyna brace sparks USMNT onslaught in friendly"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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The United States were humbled by Germany over the weekend, with a 3-1 defeat reminding the USMNT just how much work they still have to do to be a top international contender.<\/p>\n

Just three days later, the U.S. made it clear that while they are still looking for answers at the top of the food chain, they aren\u2019t troubled by those below them.<\/p>\n

Gio Reyna\u2019s first career international brace sparked a rout of African rivals Ghana, racing to a 4-0 victory with all goals scored in the first half. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun added the other goals as the hosts eviscerated their opponents in comprehensive fashion, with Ghana looking extremely disinterested throughout the 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

Reyna opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game, and Pulisic doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 19 minutes via a spot-kick won by Tim Weah. Balogun crashed home a third minutes later, and Reyna\u2019s second completed the scoreline minutes before halftime as the U.S. ran riot throughout the opening stanza.<\/p>\n

Sergino Dest was electric throughout the game, bombing forward as he put his struggles against Germany far in the rear-view mirror. Matt Turner was only called upon once in goal, but he stood tall with a sensational save just moments before the break.<\/p>\n

The errors made in the Germany defeat won\u2019t be forgotten, but this result will foster a much more comfortable feeling regarding the October international break as the players head back to their clubs with a taste of victory fresh in their mouths.<\/p>\n

The Sporting News followed the USA vs Ghana match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.<\/em><\/p>\n

MORE: The Sporting News speaks exclusively to Cameron Carter-Vickers about his desire for pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n

USA vs Ghana score, result<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/td>\nScore<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\nGoal scorers<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USA<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/b><\/td>\nReyna (10′, 39′),
Pulisic (19′),
Balogun (22′)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ghana<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/b><\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Kickoff: 7:37\u00a0p.m. local (8:37\u00a0p.m. ET \/ 5:37\u00a0p.m. PT)
Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)
Referee: Marco Antonio Ort\u00edz Nava (MEX)<\/em><\/p>\n

Starting lineups: <\/strong><\/p>\n

USA<\/a> (4-3-3, right to left):<\/strong>\u00a01. Turner (GK)\u00a0\u2014 2. Dest, 12. M. Robinson, 4. Richards (Carter-Vickers, 73′), 23. Lund \u2014 15. Johnny (Maloney, 65′), 6. Musah (de la Torre, 75′), 7. Reyna (McKennie, 46′) \u2014 21. Weah, 20. Balogun (Pepi, 46′), 10. Pulisic (Aaronson, 46′).<\/p>\n

Ghana<\/a> (4-3-1-2, right to left):<\/strong>\u00a012. Nurudeen (GK) \u2014 2. Seidu, 18. N. Opoku, 8. J. Opoku, 14. Mensah (Schindler, 46′) \u2014 4. Addo, 5. Partey (Samed, 64′), 13. Paintsil (Owusu, 64′) \u2014 20. Kudus (Nuamah, 75′) \u2014 19. I. Williams (Semenyo, 75′), 9. J. Ayew.<\/p>\n

USA vs Ghana live updates, highlights, commentary<\/h2>\n

FULLTIME: USA 4-0 Ghana<\/h3>\n

A scoreless second half comes to a close, with the U.S. doing well to protect the lead and dominate the match despite failing to find the back of the net. Overall, it was an emphatic performance for the hosts, who were hardly troubled at all from start to finish.<\/p>\n

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2019 – The @USMNT<\/a> has not lost consecutive matches under Gregg Berhalter since July-September 2019. Resilient. pic.twitter.com\/62bI6ptCCk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 OptaJack\u26bd\ufe0f (@OptaJack) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

USA vs Ghana: Second Half<\/h3>\n

82nd min:<\/strong>\u00a0Jordan Ayew does well to put Sergino Dest under significant pressure, working himself into a good shooting position, but his effort from a tight angle is blocked about halfway to the frame.<\/p>\n

76th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Matt Turner is hoping to escape with a clean sheet, and he does well to concede an awkward corner before Luca de la Torre heads the ensuing delivery clear.<\/p>\n

Mohammed Kudus and Inaki Williams are brought off for Ghana, as neither managed to find any openings up front.<\/p>\n

73rd min:<\/strong>\u00a0Tim Weah somehow manages to send in a dangerous cross to the penalty spot as he contorts his body around to get power on the delivery, but Kristoffer Lund sends the ball into the night sky.<\/p>\n

Cameron Carter-Vickers enters to replace Chris Richards for his second substitute appearance of this international window. Moments later, Yunus Musah also exits, with Luca de la Torre coming on. Gregg Berhalter is out of substitutions.<\/p>\n

64th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Chris Hughton makes another pair of changes, as Thomas Partey is protected on his imminent return to Arsenal. He hands the captain’s armband to Jordan Ayew as Salis Samed enters.<\/p>\n

For the U.S. Lennard Maloney will enter for his USMNT debut, replacing Johnny Cardoso who had an excellent performance.<\/p>\n

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Johnny Soccer \u26bd\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/CiWpfiJszR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

61st min:<\/strong>\u00a0Sergino Dest goes on yet another mazy run, this time slaloming through the attacking third, charging into the penalty area centrally looking to finish off a solo goal, but he’s dispossessed at the last minute as three Ghana defenders close him down.<\/p>\n

59th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Tim Weah takes his time getting up from a hard challenge on the touchline. Ghana are starting to get more established on the ball, as the U.S. sit back and protect their big lead.<\/p>\n

54th min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Weston McKennie nearly scores a worldie from outside the top-left corner of the penalty area! Sergino Dest bombs forward again, and he pulls it back centrally to McKennie who rifles an off-balance shot from distance that doesn’t miss the top corner by much.<\/p>\n

This is an onslaught from the United States, and Ghana can’t get a sniff of possession. The visitors look highly disinterested.<\/p>\n

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Timmy Weah Magic \ud83e\ude84\ud83d\udca5 pic.twitter.com\/NmAINZ96bq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

51st min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Ricardo Pepi picks the pocket of Ghana goalkeeper Abdul Nurudeen and seems to be in on goal, but he was facing the corner flag and couldn’t adequately contort his body for the shot. Instead, Pepi waits for support and finds Brenden Aaronson, and he feeds Johnny Cardoso, but his awkward effort is skied high and wide left.<\/p>\n

49th min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0The U.S. counter viciously as Tim Weah is released down the right, and while he gets by his defender, there’s nobody able to provide support, so he has a go from an extremely tight angle, and he misses across the face of goal, but not by much at all!<\/p>\n

Kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0Gregg Berhalter makes a host of changes, as all three goal scorers were withdrawn. Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun were protected with the game well in hand, while Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, and Ricardo Pepi all enter the match.<\/p>\n

Ghana make a change as well, with the struggling Gideon Mensah coming off and Kingsley Schlinder.<\/p>\n

HALFTIME: USA 4-0 Ghana<\/h3>\n

An absolute incredible 45 minutes from the United States. Wow. Gio Reyna has a pair, and both Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun added goals. They’ve managed to put the struggles against Germany to bed in emphatic fashion.<\/p>\n

Ghana, for their part, were utterly putrid, with a huge amount of bad giveaways, awful tackles, and generally terrible togetherness. Their frustration showed early and often, and the U.S. capitalized.<\/p>\n

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22 – The @USMNT<\/a>‘s three goals after 22 minutes against Ghana is the fastest they’ve scored three goals against a non-Concacaf opponent since at least 1931. Response. pic.twitter.com\/1KQwMi2yNC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 OptaJack\u26bd\ufe0f (@OptaJack) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

USA vs Ghana: First Half<\/h3>\n

41th min: Chance, Ghana!\u00a0<\/strong>MATT TURNER WHAT A SAVE! It’s the first chance of the match for Ghana, and Turner comes up huge! Mohammed Kudus has a go from the top of the penalty area, and he produces a curler of the highest quality. Turner is up to the task, launching his body up and to his right to get a palm to the effort!<\/p>\n

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always in good hands with @headdturnerr<\/a> \ud83e\udde4 https:\/\/t.co\/mtTBjISF4j pic.twitter.com\/H4N4npLJgg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

39th min: GOAL! USA!<\/strong>\u00a0The U.S. get a rare indirect free-kick inside the penalty area!! A Ghana defender is called for falling and then sitting on the ball. It’s taken from right on the penalty spot, and it’s GORGEOUS!<\/p>\n

Gio Reyna touches it first, simply tapping it to Christian Pulisic, and Pulisic taps it right back to Reyna who curls it into the top corner!<\/p>\n

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GIOVANNI MY OH MY pic.twitter.com\/l5yFpIPpqP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

36th min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Christian Pulisic nearly has a fourth for the U.S. but it’s stopped well by Abdul Nurudeen! Folarin Balogun found him with a low, lateral cross and Pulisic met it right outside the six-yard box in stride, but his shot is right down the middle and doesn’t fool the goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

35th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Now Thomas Partey is booked for a bad foul on Gio Reyna, who comes sliding in late and sends the Borussia Dortmund youngster flying.<\/p>\n

31th min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0A cross into the middle meets the head of Folarin Balogun who puts his effort on target, but it’s saved!<\/p>\n

30th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Sergino Dest, who had an awful match against Germany, has been electric tonight. He latches onto the ball near his own end line and immediately dances through the entire Ghana midfield before being fouled by Edmund Adoo just past midfield. It draws the first yellow card of the match.<\/p>\n

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.@sergino_dest<\/a> \ud83d\udca8\ud83d\udca8\ud83d\udca8\ud83d\udca8 pic.twitter.com\/kVdoVtBerw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

26th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Sergino Dest gets forward down the right and his off-balance cross finds Folarin Balogun, but it’s a little too hot for the U.S. striker to handle and he cannons his volley into the night sky.<\/p>\n

22nd min: GOAL! USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Folarin Balogun strikes this time, and the U.S. are absolutely flying! It’s an absolutely glorious turn-and-finish as he receives the ball with his back to goal and blasts it home. The Ghana defense is absolutely all over the place!<\/p>\n

The goal came from Tim Weah on the right as he totally picks the pocket of a Ghana defender and crosses to his striker in the middle.<\/p>\n

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Three goals in 12 minutes \ud83e\udd2f\ud83e\udd2f\ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/9qEq69iIIT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

18th min: PENALTY, USA!<\/strong> Tim Weah draws the foul and the referee points to the spot! It’s a truly awful tackle from Gideon Mensah, who brainlessly sticks his leg and hip out and completely misses the ball, bundling over Weah in the process.<\/p>\n

Christian Pulisic will take, and…GOAL! USA!<\/strong> He blasts the penalty straight down the middle, and the goalkeeper dives to his left to open the door!<\/p>\n

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Christian Pulisic from the spot \ud83c\udfaf<\/p>\n

Watch USA vs. Ghana live on TNT or Max \ud83d\udcfa pic.twitter.com\/l95bee7zTY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 B\/R Football (@brfootball) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

15th min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Folarin Balogun tries a cheeky flick to double the lead, but it’s saved by the goalkeeper! Sergino Dest’s cross was just inches behind the U.S. striker, so he looked to adjust by back-heeling the ball into the net, but just couldn’t get it out of Abdul Narudeen’s reach.<\/p>\n

10th min: GOAL! USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Gio Reyna has opened the scoring! The U.S. break down the right edge of the penalty area and Folarin Balogun’s cross to the middle is stopped by Nicholas Opoku’s outstretched leg. It’s not cleared, however, and falls right to Reyna at the top of the six-yard box, and he lashes the ball home with a one-time finish!<\/p>\n

It’s Reyna’s first international goal since the summer of 2021! The move was started by Sergino Dest who delivered the run and vertical ball to feed Balogun through. A great team goal that incorporates a number of things Gregg Berhalter has publicly been asking for from his team.<\/p>\n

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Gio strikes first at Geodis \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 pic.twitter.com\/YBIFsxcykJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

9th min:<\/strong>\u00a0The U.S. have a free-kick just inside the Ghana half as Thomas Partey fouls Christian Pulisic. Ghana are looking to play extremely physical against the AC Milan winger.<\/p>\n

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Ghana going with the “kick Christian Pulisic at every opportunity” game plan today vs #USMNT<\/a><\/p>\n

How very CONCACAF of them<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7th min:<\/strong>\u00a0Both teams have long spells of possession but neither works a goal scoring chance. A really high-quality tackle from Alidu Seidu dispossesses Christian Pulisic on the left touchline.<\/p>\n

2nd min: Chance, USA!<\/strong>\u00a0Christian Pulisic is thumped from behind by Alidu Seidu at the top of the penalty area and is apoplectic about the lack of a whistle. The referee missed that one just two minutes in.<\/p>\n

Moments later, the U.S. re-collect the ball but the shot from Folarin Balogun is straight at the Ghana goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

Kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0They’re under way in Nashville! U.S midfielder Yunus Musah has Ghana heritage, and was eligible to play for their national team before committing to the United States.<\/p>\n

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This one means a little more to Yunus Musah \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded<\/p>\n

(Via @USMNT<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/CNjotZwqtv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

USA vs Ghana: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more<\/h3>\n

15 mins to kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0The teams are out on the field warming up and kickoff is imminent! A big chance for the USMNT to put the defeat to Germany behind them, and even potentially best Mexico’s result against Ghana in the process.<\/p>\n

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Tunnel vision \ud83d\udc41\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/I8rQCxWtHl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

30 mins to kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0He’s not starting tonight, which is a bit of a surprise, but Cameron Carter-Vickers has built his career back up from USMNT obscurity to his spot as a key contributor. He spoke exclusively to The Sporting News about what sparked the turnaround.<\/p>\n

Still just 25 years old, Carter-Vickers is a top pick to not only make the 2026 World Cup roster but start at the tournament.<\/p>\n

Tonight, his absence is probably down to minutes management as he has just returned from a hamstring injury that delayed the start of his 2022\/23 season at Celtic. He played 25 minutes off the bench against Germany and could play a role here tonight as a substitute as well.<\/p>\n

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I spoke with CB Cameron Carter-Vickers about his unique career path.<\/p>\n

Loan after loan, he faded far from the #USMNT<\/a> radar. Then he discovered his craving for pressure @CelticFC<\/a> & began to flourish.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, he\u2019s a regular starter.<\/p>\n

For @sportingnews<\/a> \u26bd\ufe0f\ud83d\udc47 https:\/\/t.co\/Buh1YIKBNr<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

45 mins to kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0It’s somewhat that Lennard Maloney was not included in tonight’s USMNT starting lineup. The U.S. desperately needs a true No. 6 behind Tyler Adams on the depth chart. Gregg Berhalter has made it known he wants Yunus Musah to play higher up the pitch, and both Johnny Cardoso and Luca de la Torre are more No. 8’s than they are true defensive midfielders.<\/p>\n

Cardoso gets the start, and he’s a fantastic player who should stick around for a while, but why not give Maloney a chance to shine after the U.S. was exposed against Germany without a true No. 6? It seems unfair not to give him a run-out with an opportunity for him to impress.<\/p>\n

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Unser Mittelfeldspieler Lennard Maloney ist erstmals f\u00fcr die US-amerikanische Nationalmannschaft nominiert! \ud83d\udcaa\ud83d\udd1d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd34\ud83d\udd35 #NurDerFCH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 (@FCH1846) October 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1 hour to kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0The lineups are in, and Gregg Berhalter has made three changes to the USMNT starting lineup which began in Hartford against Germany. Johnny Cardoso comes in to replace Weston McKennie in midfield, Miles Robinson enters at center-back for Tim Ream, and Kristoffer Lund will take over at left-back, moving Sergino Dest back to his natural right-back and sending Joe Scally to the bench.<\/p>\n

It’s unlucky for Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is working his way back from injury but would seem fit enough to start after starting for Celtic the match before the international break and playing 25 minutes against Germany on Saturday.<\/p>\n

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Our XI in Nashville \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 pic.twitter.com\/uL9ACWSCVV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1 hour 15 mins to kick:<\/strong>\u00a0The history between these two teams is well documented. Ghana pipped the U.S. in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, before the United States swung back in 2014. All three matches finished with a 2-1 score.<\/p>\n

HIGHLIGHTS FROM USA vs GHANA 2014 | HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ghana broke American hearts in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.<\/p>\n

The USMNT exacted their revenge to open the 2014 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Watch USA vs. Ghana at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight on TNT or Max \ud83d\udcfa pic.twitter.com\/GmxRXEPFXS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 B\/R Football (@brfootball) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1 hour 30 mins to kick:<\/strong>\u00a0There were clear weaknesses exposed by the 3-1 defeat to Germany on Saturday, but some positives too. The USMNT will be confident that they are getting closer to being a capable, top-tier international squad, but there’s still work to do.<\/p>\n

The goal today will be to relegate Saturday’s defeat to what it was \u2014 a competitive loss to a world-class European power \u2014 and not a harbinger of anything more troubling. Struggles today would transform Saturday’s loss from the former into the latter.<\/p>\n

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“They’re not a million miles away” – @warrenbarton2<\/a>@JohnStrong<\/a>, @warrenbarton2<\/a>, and @alexilalas<\/a> recap the previous meeting of the USMNT and Germany \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea pic.twitter.com\/cP5PGelKHP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1 hour 45 mins to kick:<\/strong>\u00a0One longtime USMNT veteran is quietly retiring after this weekend. Michael Bradley, whose 151 international caps rank third all-time with the United States, will end his career as Toronto FC play their final regular season match.<\/p>\n

It’s an inauspicious and unassuming end to one of the most dedicated careers in U.S. Soccer history, and it’s a shame the U.S. didn’t consider calling him in to this international window for a more fitting send-off.<\/p>\n

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I do wish Michael Bradley would get some sort of USMNT sendoff friendly. Probably won’t because he’s retiring from club play after this weekend as well.<\/p>\n

The program needs to do more of that for guys who had 100+ caps. The USWNT is much better at sendoffs for long-serving vets. pic.twitter.com\/3xCL4Gx5gd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2 hours to kickoff:<\/strong>\u00a0This match provides the United States with a chance to correct many of the issues that plagued them against Germany, most notably the disorganization in midfield. The link between Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah was severed throughout the 90 minutes in Hartford on Saturday, something Gregg Berhalter and players addressed both after the weekend’s match and prior to this game today.<\/p>\n

“It’s really these fine moments, these split seconds where you need to be well-positioned…that’s where it went wrong,” Berhalter said after the defeat to Germany.<\/p>\n

“On the goals, our lines weren’t connected enough and weren’t clear enough, and it made open space for Germany,” Berhalter said\u00a0as a follow-up ahead of today’s match. “We started defending in a 4-4-2 with Gio [Reyna] higher, and we weren’t connected enough and got too man-orientated on their midfielders.”<\/p>\n