Despite defeat at SoFI Stadium on Thursday night, there is no need for USMNT fans to panic, or even for the positive vibes around this team to be dampened in any way. This clash in LA was weird, given that the Stars and Stripes had already cemented top spot in the group, and opponents Türkiye were eliminated, guaranteed to finish bottom. However, based on the intensity both on the pitch and from supporters in the stands, you would not have known it, both teams determined to win.
That said, as recognition of the scenario, Mauricio Pochettino did make nine changes to his starting lineup; Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi keeping their places from the Australia victory. Despite this, the U.S. led inside three minutes through Auston Trusty, before Sebastian Berhalter lashed home an equaliser shortly after half time, albeit Kaan Ayhan snatched a 3-2 victory for the Crescent-Stars with literally the last kick of the night.
Pochettino is expected to restore all of his usual starters to his lineup when USA face Bosnia & Herzegovina at Levi's Stadium in the round of 32 in the San Francisco Bay Area on July 1. This final group game was an opportunity for those on the fringes to stake a claim, but Tim Weah in particular did not do this.
Tim Weah statistics vs Türkiye
Statistics | Tim Weah |
|---|---|
Minutes played | 58 |
Shots | Zero |
Offsides | 2 |
Chances created | Zero |
Dribbles | 1 |
Possession lost | 11 |
Touches | 30 |
Note: Statistics courtesy of SofaScore.
In his hour on the field, Weah lost possession 11 times and touched the ball only 30 times, but it was his two offsides that were possibly the most infuriating, destroying two promising attacks unnecessarily.
Weah started on the left-wing of a 4-3-3 formation, with Brenden Aaronson on the opposite flank. Pochettino has favoured using the 26 year old on this side, noting shortly after his appointment that this was due to Weah's left-eye dominance. Well, had Weah not slapped Panamanian defender Roderick Miller during the Copa América, chances are, Pochettino never would have got this job and Gregg Berhalter would likely still be the boss.
Weah was the United States' most consistent player during 2022 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, but his importance has diminished in the last couple of years. He has been in and out of the team in the last 12 months or so, essentially in the squad as Sergiño Dest's back-up on the right-wing.
During the defeat to Türkiye, Weah was replaced by the returning Christian Pulisic just before the hour mark, who received quite the ovation from those inside SoFi. Well, immediately, Pulisic was a clear upgrade, which merely served to emphasise how ineffective Weah had been. So a tough night, with his father George, both a Ballon d'Or winner and the former president of Liberia, in attendance. Based on this, it feels as though Weah's role in the knockout stages could be minimal.
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