Gregg Berhlater won’t be too pleased with his young USMNT side as they lost 1-0 to Slovenia on Saturday at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.
With it not being a FIFA international window, both the U.S. and Slovenia fielded teams with little to no international experience. Seven of the USMNT’s 11 starters were making their international debuts.
Center back Miles Robinson was the only USMNT player who played and is currently in consideration for Berhalter’s “A-team.”
The January camp for the USMNT, as it did last year, featured MLS players looking to impress Berhalter for the future. Plenty of USMNT fans are critical of the January play and refer to the team as “Camp Cupcake” or “MLSNT.”
USMNT vs Slovenia
The first half was lackluster as the USMNT produced little excitement going forward and then conceded on the counter in the 26th minute to Slovenia’s Nejc Gradisar.
Slovenia are beating the USMNT
Watch the game on TNT and Max pic.twitter.com/TV3gXZB1NC— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 20, 2024
After 45 minutes the USMNT had managed just four shots with the best opportunity coming in the 30th minute.
Knocking on the door ✊ pic.twitter.com/5W2rUWqBe2
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 20, 2024
The USMNT pushed for an equalizer in the second half but were unable to get the ball into Slovenia’s net. New York Red Bulls left back John Tolkin had one of the best chances to equalize but missed his shot wide.
⚠️ ¡Se la perdió!
John Tolkin de @USMNT no pudo concretar y mandó su tiro muy desviado.Estados Unidos 0-1 Eslovenia
EN VIVO por @Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/c9YwMb3Ts3#FutbolUSA #USMNTtelemundo #AmistosoInternacional #USMNT pic.twitter.com/U3quAPFPMU
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) January 20, 2024
The two players who shined the brightest for the USMNT were 18-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic and 20-year-old Diego Luna.
Bajraktarevic, who plays for the New England Revolution, came off the bench in the 60th minute. He was a spark for the team and played with massive confidence despite being the youngest on the roster.
Apologies for recording the TV, but when Esmir Bajraktarevic casually megs a guy with his first-ever senior #USMNT touch, you do what you have to do. pic.twitter.com/4brpUY9m58
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) January 20, 2024
