The U.S. males’s nationwide crew struggled to interrupt down Uzbekistan in majority of Saturday’s pleasant victory in St. Louis and now a distinct problem awaits it in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Oman opposes the USMNT within the second and last pleasant of the September worldwide window. The West Asian nation is ranked No. 73 on this planet and is recent off a 2-1 victory over Palestine final week in its first of two matches this month.
Branko Ivankovic’s squad will deliver a distinct set of ways to Allianz Discipline this week and the USMNT will should be prepared for a robust 90 minute efficiency.
“Oman is totally completely different than Uzbekistan,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter stated Monday in his pre-match press convention. “Uzbekistan was a 5-3-1, at occasions a 5-2-3, however a really tough block to interrupt down.
“Defending with 4 gamers on the wing, very compact,” he added. “Oman has performed a 4-4-2 diamond and so they have a really, very dynamic counterattack. A part of the emphasis on this camp was ending assaults in opposition to the low block of Uzbekistan, and now stopping transitions in opposition to Oman.”
The USMNT rode an early first-half purpose from Tim Weah to take a 1-0 lead in opposition to Uzbekistan earlier than including two late targets by way of Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic. Nevertheless, the Individuals had been fortunate to not be pegged again on a number of events within the match as goalkeeper Matt Turner made three saves and in addition acquired assist from his submit as soon as.
Oman has posted a 7-2-2 file in 11 matches this yr, reaching the Gulf Cup Last earlier than shedding to Iraq 3-2 in additional time. Germany was Oman’s hardest opponent over the previous two years and Ivanovic’s squad solely suffered a 1-0 loss to the European nation forward of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Berhalter particularly referenced that consequence and praised the all-around talents within the Oman squad forward of his second match again answerable for the USMNT.
“It’s going to be an awesome check for us,” Berhalter stated. “We watched the sport in opposition to Germany the place Germany gained 1-0, however [Oman] completely battered Germany with their transition moments. They had been throughout [Germany] in that sport, so it’s gonna be vital for us.”