The U.S. males’s nationwide staff took one other main step in the direction of repeating as CONCACAF Nations League winners on Monday after eliminating Jamaica within the quarterfinal spherical.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad claimed a 1-0 first leg victory in Kingston final Thursday earlier than closing out the two-legged affair with a 4-2 second leg triumph in St. Louis on Monday. Regardless of lacking a number of gamers because of accidents, the USMNT confirmed constructive indicators beneath Pochettino.
There have been a couple of brilliant spots this month, with Ricardo Pepi and Mark McKenzie among the many spectacular performers over the 2 legs.
Here’s a have a look at the USMNT gamers who boosted their inventory essentially the most in November’s window:
Winners
Ricardo Pepi
The absence of a number of USMNT forwards didn’t cease Ricardo Pepi from boosting his inventory within the No. 9 race.
Pepi scored twice over the 2 legs, persevering with a constructive fall for the PSV ahead. After coming into camp on run of kind, the previous FC Dallas academy product scored the winner within the first leg earlier than including to his tally in Monday’s second leg victory.
Pepi will definitely have a leg up on Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, and others heading into 2025. An important factor for Pepi going ahead is, to keep away from ending up on the sidelines over the following few months.
Mark McKenzie
The USMNT’s ever-changing centerback duo noticed Mark McKenzie take advantage of his alternatives this month.
McKenzie began in each legs in opposition to Jamaica, working with veteran Tim Ream. The 25-year-old barely put a foot improper over the 180+ minutes, doing effectively in possession, and spreading the ball round to his teammates.
McKenzie’s transfer to Toulouse final summer time has definitely given him a confidence increase this fall.
Tim Weah
Tim Weah solely performed 78 minutes this window because of suspension, however made up for misplaced time with an impactful second leg efficiency.
Weah scored the USMNT’s fourth objective in Monday’s win, persevering with what has been a blistering run of kind for membership and nation. The 24-year-old entered camp with objectives in three of his final 5 appearances for Juventus, serving to the Turin-based membership keep within the Serie A’s top-six.
He simply may’ve left CITYPARK with a couple of objectives on Monday evening, which is one thing Weah will purpose to repair going ahead.
Yunus Musah
Constant taking part in time hasn’t come straightforward at AC Milan for Yunus Musah, however Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t let that have an effect on the midfielder’s function for the USMNT.
Musah began in each matches in opposition to Jamaica, that includes without any consideration midfielder as an alternative of his beforehand more-central function. Musah registered one help on Monday evening, discovering Tim Weah for the USMNT’s fourth and remaining objective of the match.
Along with his final-third resolution making, Musah’s defensive work price remained very excessive, monitoring again to win possession and begin new attacking possibilities for the staff.
This new function for Musah has undoubtedly added some pleasure into the squad going into 2025.
Which gamers impressed you essentially the most in November’s pair of matches? Who disillusioned? Do you hope this quartet stays in Pochettino’s XI long-term?
Share your ideas beneath.