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In Gregg Berhalter’s grand return to the U.S. men’s national team we got to see his side struggle to get a victory against lowly Uzbekistan in front of a non-filled MLS stadium in St. Louis.
Despite the attractive 3-0 score line, this was one of the most awful USMNT games fans have seen in recent memory.
In a moment of clear transparency, I was originally going to write about how disappointed I was in St. Louis soccer fans for not coming out to watch the game. Instead, I applaud them as they were smart saved themselves $50 and from having to watch 90 minutes of pure torture.
Anthem time. (Only about 16k expected to attend this match). #usmnt pic.twitter.com/QX7f5BEa1b
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) September 9, 2023
It’s 2023 and the #USMNT A-Team still can’t sell out stadiums :/ pic.twitter.com/wKZSFmKaIg
— David Moore (@RunDavidMoore) September 9, 2023
The roughly 16,000 fans that attended CITYPARK on Saturday got to see the ugly side of “Berhalter Ball” in all its glory. Those poor souls had to watch on as the U.S. sent in pointless cross after pointless cross that never reached a man in a blue shirt.
There was no flair or excitement like we saw from these same players in June during the Concacaf Nations League. The return to Berhalter’s preferred 4-3-3 was painful. The play was sloppy, the creativity going forward was nonexistent and the U.S. was lucky not to draw/lose.
This is the worst performance of the USMNT A squad in 2023.
Berhalter is back baby.— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) September 9, 2023
#BerhalterOut pic.twitter.com/NjTQEWVtZZ
— Travis (@usmnt_historian) September 9, 2023
Uzbekistan, ranked 74th in the world, arguably had the better chances throughout the game. Matt Turner was called into action to make a couple big saves and had his crossbar rattled with a vicious shot in the first half.
¡Un error casi le cuesta el empate a Estados Unidos!
La defensa de @USMNT se vio amenazada y Turner logró controlar en el fondo.#USA 1-0 #Uzbekistán
EN VIVO por @Telemundo y @Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/5JEwTgE045 #FutbolUSA #USMNTenTelemundo #USMNT pic.twitter.com/vcsBdOBLVC
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 9, 2023
Matt Turner keeping the USMNT in the lead
Watch USA vs. Uzbekistan on TNT pic.twitter.com/1R2G6Zr3V8— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2023
The only thing that saved the U.S. from an embarrassing draw was Timothy Weah’s goal in the fourth minute and two stoppage time goals from Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic.
Tim Weah gives USMNT the early lead
Watch USA vs. Uzbekistan on TNT pic.twitter.com/NmKIxbgeff— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2023
Ricardo Pepi’s fifth goal in his last five USMNT games pic.twitter.com/fZVD7gc1yb
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2023
¡GOLEADAAAA DEL 'TEAM USA'! ¡APARECIÓ PULISIC! ⚽
#USA 3-0 #Uzbekistán
EN VIVO por @Telemundo y @Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/5JEwTgE045 #FutbolUSA #USMNTenTelemundo #USMNT pic.twitter.com/EnMdjJodke
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 9, 2023
It’s hard to recall the last the USMNT’s “A-team” looked this disjointed and just flat out bad. A result like this doesn’t generate any hope or excitement for the next three years that will see the Copa América and World Cup played on U.S. soil.
Berhalter and the boys will be back in action on Tuesday as they host Oman at Allianz Field in Minnesota. Oman is slightly better than Uzbekistan. If Berhalter can’t figure out how to beat Oman, then it’s time to go into full blown panic mode.
