Went in thinking this was a pointless trophy but I think this match was the game that blooded our young guns and are going to make them realize their potential. Reyna and McKennie simply excellent. Pulisic rather pedestrian but he showed when it mattered. And enough can’t be said about Horvath. Definitely some things to workout especially in the back line but what a win.
Outside of ND-Clemson, that was the most alive I’ve felt during a sporting event in a long time.
Maybe it's red/white/blue-colored glasses. but I honestly thought the US looked like the better team in the attack for most of the match. The only time it looked like Mexico had higher quality in the attack was when they brought in that young kid that scored the go-ahead goal in the second half. But for the most part, it felt like Mexico's early chances were a result of shaky play in the back from the US more so than Mexico dictating, whereas it felt like the US had multiple chances that they created and dictated themselves, rather than relying on a lucky bounce or a crazy ball over the top. It felt good to watch, and would have been devastating to lose after seeing an improved group.
The youngsters look like the real deal, and I was amazed at how calm and controlled they were moving the ball through traffic. It seems like the new generation is going to bring some technical quality that the USMNT has lacked through the majority of the roster for a while. I feel confident when Reyna decides to threaten the box in a way that I really didn't with anyone outside of Dempsey... but Reyna isn't the only guy in the new crop capable of making intelligent, threatening runs. They all seemed to be making crisp, quality passes and stressing Mexico for the most part. It didn't feel like any of the interceptions were prayers they were sending forward; it felt like the US was legitimately probing and looking for a weakness, and that was refreshing.
Also refreshing to see not one but two answers after going down.
I think McKennie could wear the arm band any time, and idk if any of the crew, including Pulisic, could argue with it. The guy was 'going to war' personified last night.
AND Christian Pulisic has a giant set of brass balls, taking the jersey off and running to hush the Mexican crowd, knowing they were going to rain projectiles down.
AND Ethan Horvath has an even bigger set of brass balls, coming in cold, falling victim to a great goal by Mexico, and then STILL stopping the penalty in extra time, even after all the bullshit and delays and whatnot. It was also great to see his confidence in handling the last few minutes of desperation time for Mexico... did Zack Steffen get Wally Pipped? I know many think Horvath was ascending to the role anyway, and some were surprised he wasn't the choice for the semifinal and final anyway.
