Friendly: USA 1-0 Ecuador
Three games as head coach for Berhalter and third win for the newly USMNT appointed head coach. Today it was a valuable opponent getting ready for Copa America in just three months time, Ecuador.
And against a solid South American side, the Americans stood pretty well. They had a solid presence in defense allowing only one shot for the Ecuadorians throughout the entire game.
Then Gyasi Bardes found the net late in the game at the 81st minute to give the win for the USMNT.
USMNT head coach comments after the win
“Overall, when you look at the amount of information we’ve given the guys in the last two days, we’re pleased with the performance. I think it’s a good starting point for this group. The defending was really good, so we’re pleased.
When you look at the positioning of Ecuador it became challenging to break them down, very compact. I thought in the first half we created some good moves. We were able to penetrate around the edge and get the ball in front of goal. We’re unlucky not to score with Paul [Arriola] in the first half and created a number of half-chances that should have amounted to more.
“I credited the guys in the locker room. I’m really proud of the effort. I’m really proud of the openness to try things and to try to execute the movements. If some of the timing is off, that’s all right as long as they recognize the moments and [are] trying to do it.”
The opposing coach Hernan Gomez, also had some praises for the US team saying:
“This is the best United States team that I have faced, I have done it for many years and with different selections”.
This should boost the mens’ confidence for future challenges to come
