The United States Senior Men’s National team (USMNT) showed staggering and surprising statistics in the last international break before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gregg Berhalter’s men recorded just two shots on target in their two matches, casting a dark shadow on their 2022 World Cup chances. The performance has put their 2022 World Cup hopes in doubt.
The international break, the last before the 2022 World Cup, was seen as a preparatory window for teams who qualified for the World Cup to trim their squad for the mega tournament in Qatar.
The U.S. Men’s National team can be categorized as one of the teams with the least rating going into the 2022 World Cup after shocking stats in their friendlies in the international break.
USMNT Performance At The Two Friendlies in The International Break
The USMNT opened the international break with a tough match against Japan on Friday, 23 September 2023, at the merkur spiel arena in Germany.
It was a tough game between the two teams, although a tactically superior Japan carried the day efficiently over a clueless Gregg Berhalter-led team.
Kamada put Japan in front in the 24th minute before Mitoma doubled the lead late into the second half in the 88th minute.
Japan fired a total of 18 shots, with 8 on target, while the USMNT had only four photos with none on target.
Nevertheless, the Yanks dominated possession leading the Japanese with 58% to 42%. They completed a total of 583 passes to Japan’s 431. They also won on passing accuracy, slightly 2% better than Japan’s, but they conceded more corner kicks than Japan (8 to 2).
The match ended in a 2-0 loss, despite Gregg Berhalter’s men having a superior hand and control of the game.
They failed to create good and clear-cut chances despite dominating the game compared to their opponents, who converted their few touches with the ball into breast chances and turned in two goals.
The next match was against Saudi Arabia at the Estadio Nueva Condomina in Spain on Tuesday, 27th September 2022.
They showed some level of dominance over their less-fancied opponent, who is considered a minnow in global football.
The team managed only 2 shots on target, which amounted to nothing as both sides could not find the back of the net.
In terms of possession, Saudi Arabia was playing second fiddle to Gregg Berhalter’s team, who were leading with 55% of the possession.
The Yanks also completed over 500 passes in the game, while Saudi Arabia had 411. While Saudi Arabia had a total of 10 shots, with 2 targets, USMNT had 7 shots in all, with 2 on target too. Saudi Arabia equally lost passing accuracy, which stood at 77% to 88%.
USMNT 2022 World Cup Chances
It is safe to say the last two matches by the Yanks is a clear indication that the team will struggle at the 2022 World Cup. USMNT is grouped alongside England, Wales, and Iran in Group B.
With England emerging as top favorites to win the group, the battle for second place will likely be between Berhalter’s men and Wales.
However, their poor outing in the just-concluded international break has seen their rating drop.
They may likely forfeit the second position to Wales. Gregg Berhalter has to turn to create more chances with his possession-winning team to stand a chance at the World Cup
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