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Wednesday marked the first of four matches for the USMNT in June, this time it was a friendly in Cincinnati against fellow World Cup qualifier Morocco.
Goals from Brenden Aaronson, Timothy Weah, and Haji Wright from the penalty spot gave the USMNT a very comfortable 3-0 win over a side who finished in the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations this January, only bowing out to eventual runners up Egypt. However, this game was more about testing personnel against world class opposition from outside Concacaf, and that mission was also accomplished.
All in all sixteen American players saw the field at TQL Stadium, including three debutants in Joe Scally, Malik Tillman and Wright. Not to mention two players making their first return to the national team in quite some time, those being Cameron Carter-Vickers who grabbed his first appearance in almost three years to the day, and Aaron Long who made his first start since February of 2020. Formalities out of the way, here’s the five players who impressed the most during the USMNT’s 3-0 victory over Morocco.
1. Brenden Aaronson
Deputized in central midfield for the first time with the national team alongside Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams, Aaronson showed the kind of class that just landed him a $30 million transfer to Leeds United. His incisive runs cut right through the heart of the Moroccan lines all night, and he was rewarded 25 minutes in with the easiest goal of his life.
What he showed to USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter on Wednesday night was that he's just as effective, if not more so, from central midfield as he is from the wing, or the #10 spot. This could be crucial in Qatar if Weston McKennie or Yunus Musah were to miss time through injury or suspension, so it was incredibly beneficial to find that out now and not in November.
2. Timothy Weah
After a brilliant end to a rough season with Lille, scoring all three of his goals in the final two matchdays, Weah brought his form to Cincinnati in true style, lashing effort after effort at Yassine Bounou's goal. His efforts were eventually rewarded in the 32nd minute, as his shot from just outside the box was too powerful for the Sevilla goalkeeper to keep out, giving Weah his third senior goal with the USMNT, and his third goal involvement in his last seven appearances under Berhalter.
Some have pined for Weah to be given a chance at the #9 position, but he seems to be doing just fine at winger for the national team at the moment. At this point, it's like a broken record coming from fans, but the forwards of this team showing real versatility is key to any possible success in Qatar.
3. Walker Zimmerman
With the long awaited addition of Cameron Carter-Vickers to the squad following Miles Robinson's injury, it was once again Zimmerman's job to prove that everyone else was competing for the second center back spot, not both. He cemented his place with excellent defending and good passing. In the 25th minute, Zimmerman unleashed an expertly played long ball over the top that allowed Christian Pulisic to set up Brenden Aaronson's goal.
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It was the kind of ball that had “so you think I can't play with the ball at my feet” written all over it, and shushed doubters of the 29-year-old Nashville SC designated player's abilities. Zimmerman is undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet at this point, and anyone begging otherwise can now rest easy knowing that they've been proven incorrect about a player who has won each of the last two MLS Defender of the Year awards.
4. Christian Pulisic
Captain America, as some have designated him, came into this window with the USMNT after a shaky end to the season with Chelsea, and all he did was join Aaronson and Weah in completely taking over the game. Of course Pulisic got the assist for his layoff to Brenden Aaronson, but he also won the penalty that gave Haji Wright a goal on his debut, but we'll get to him in a minute.
Pulisic also only missed on two of his passes all night, providing an essential link between the midfield and forwards, be it Weah, Wright, or Jesus Ferreira, who also had a good game. Regaining form is a very good sign for Pulisic, as inconsistency often plagued the back half of his season in West London.
5. Haji Wright
After a 14-goal campaign on loan at Antalyaspor in the Turkish top flight, Wright was finally brought into the fold with the senior national team in this window. He spent years in the youth national teams playing alongside the likes of Pulisic, Adams, McKennie, and others, and to finally see him take his place in the USMNT alongside his close friends was a welcome sight, to say the least. But Wright wasn't here for a wholesome moment, he was here to play. Almost scoring straight from the bench, Wright showed his abilities very early on. In fact, it was Wright's hold-up play after a slight missed touch that allowed Pulisic to win a penalty just over an hour into the game.
Pulisic held the ball at the penalty spot, endured the distractions from Moroccan players, and then turned to his youth teammate in Wright, and gave him the ball to take the penalty. Wright dispatched it with the kind of power that made it impossible for Bounou to save despite diving the right way.
In a position group where it's anyone's to win, Wright gave a good first account of himself, and will undoubtedly see plenty of minutes over the course of the next three games of this window for the USMNT.
