Recap of USMNT vs Azerbaijan
Typically, exhibition matches, such as this one, before a team leaves for a tournament are less about winning than they are about simply verifying defensive pairings and determining substitution patterns.
As such, it can be difficult to get an accurate feeling for how the team performed as a group. Instead it is easier to assess individual player performances. With that in mind I would say only that as a team the USMNT looked good on their set pieces but still appeared to be a bit sloppy in open play.
It is possible that the sloppy play was simply a result of the team being tired physically from two weeks of intense training and some mental strain stemming from facing the final roster cuts late last week. If the USMNT play is this disjointed in their third and final friendly against Nigeria that would be cause for concern. For now, I am not that worried about it and would actually grade this performance as a “B” given the circumstances. A few players’ performances really stood out to me, mostly positive with the exception of Jozy Altidore.
Altidore is clearly pressing for a goal. When Altidore receives the ball in a scoring situation, his first touch is just awful causing him to lose the good position he earned and his shot becomes that much more difficult. Altidore is strong enough and gifted enough to get a shot in open play but clearly his goal scoring drought from Sunderland ( 1 goal in 31 games) is in his head. Altidore needs to score in one of the next two friendlies to be confident heading into the World Cup opener against Ghana.
Graham Zusi looked very solid handling the free kick duties for the USMNT and Chris Wondolowski was very active in earning scoring chances early in the first half. That is a good sign as both players are going to have to contribute heavily to the US offense in Brazil. Aron Johannsson and Mix Diskerud were the only two players to score in this game and both came on as second half substitutes. Wondolowski and Johannsson seem to be currently competing with each other to be the first sub off the bench, however, if they both continue to perform at this level it may be Altidore who finds himself starting the game on the sidelines.
Kyle Beckerman failed to make an appearance in this game and not surprisingly, Michael Bradley failed to have an impact. I know Jermaine Jones is the favorite to start behind Bradley in the 4-4-2 “diamond” formation, but Jones just is not the consistent player that Beckerman is. If Klinsmann wants Bradley to be free to roam into the offensive zone, he is going to have to get Beckerman into the game. If that means moving Jones to the side, instead of the bench, than they need to try that out before Brazil.
Azerbaijan provided very little offensive pressure, so there was very little to judge the defensive players on. The USMNT next match in this Send-off Series against Turkey on June 1st should provide more chances to evaluate the USMNT’s backline.
Final Note: Clint Dempsey was held out of this game at the last minute due to soreness in his groin. It is not expected to be anything serious and his absence was just a precaution.
