All articles tagged with #friendly
The USWNT lost 2-1 to Brazil in São Paulo in the first of two friendlies on Brazilian turf, and coach Emma Hayes argued that loud crowds, Brazil's physical play, officiating, and late kickoff times are uncontrollable factors that make the match feel less like a typical warm-up game.
The USWNT edged Brazil 1-0 in a chaos-filled friendly that saw eight red cards—four players and four Brazilian staff—overshadowing the match. Wilson’s shot deflected off Isabela Chagas for the own goal that provided the winner, while Brazil’s Angelina called the officiating a “complete disgrace” amid post-match objections and VAR criticisms.
The U.S. fell 2-1 to Germany in its final World Cup warm-up, with Antonee Robinson leveling before halftime after Kai Havertz opened the scoring. Maurice Edu’s starting-XI ratings were largely mid-range, led by solid work from Matt Freese and the defense, as the U.S. heads into its Paraguay opener with questions in attack and at centre-back.
USMNT fought back from an early Kai Havertz goal to level through Antonee Robinson, but Germany pulled away to win 2-1 in Chicago; the performance showed competitive potential ahead of the World Cup, with Balogun and Dest involved on the wings and several substitutions shaping the final minutes as defenders worked to tighten up on set pieces.
Antonee Robinson’s thunderous volley pulled the U.S. within a goal, but Germany held on for a 2-1 win at Soldier Field in the final World Cup prep. Havertz opened the scoring and Sané added a second as Germany capitalized on chances, while the US showed cohesion and improvement under Mauricio Pochettino’s approach. Balogun was starved of service, and Pulisic and Dest struggled to impact the wing, but Freese started in goal with rotations elsewhere and Sebastian Berhalter impressed in midfield as the team heads toward the World Cup group stage.
Belgium routed the USMNT 5-2 in Atlanta, turning a 1-1 halftime score into a five-goal collapse and exposing defensive lapses under Mauricio Pochettino as the US heads into the World Cup.
In Atlanta, the USMNT host Belgium in a high-profile international friendly with Matt Turner starting in goal for the first time since June, as Mauricio Pochettino tests his lineup. The US defense features Mark McKenzie and Tim Ream at center-back with Antonee Robinson at left back, and Balogun up top supported by a midfield trio around Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Malik Tillman. Belgium counters with Kevin De Bruyne behind Charles De Ketelaere and wings from Jérémy Doku and Alexis Saelemaekers. Early moments include Robinson winning a corner, Pulisic testing the Belgian keeper, and a Tillman–Pulisic combination forcing a save as the game gets underway.
The US Men's National Team (USMNT) is set to face Japan in an international friendly in Columbus, Ohio, with a lineup featuring debut starters Folarin Balogun and Cristian Roldan, and captain Tim Ream tying for ninth on the all-time captaincy list. The match will be broadcast on TNT, Universo, HBO Max, and Peacock, with the US aiming to improve their record against Japan, having previously lost 2-0 in 2022.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are set to face off in a preseason friendly in Hong Kong at Kai Tak Sports Park, with the match streaming on Paramount+ at 7:30 am ET. Arsenal, having started their preseason strongly with wins over AC Milan and Newcastle, are favored to win against a Tottenham team still adjusting to new signings and transfers. The predicted result is Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham.
Fans have quickly praised Martin Zubimendi after his debut for Arsenal in a friendly against AC Milan, where he impressed with his passing and movement, and even scored in a penalty shootout. Zubimendi, a recent signing from Real Sociedad, has already made a positive impression on the fans and his new manager, Mikel Arteta, expressing his excitement about working with him and his ambitions to bring balance to the team.
England, under new coach Thomas Tuchel, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in a friendly match, marking their first loss to African opponents in 21 games. The game highlighted concerns about the aging of key players like Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson, and raised questions about the future direction of the team, especially with the upcoming World Cup. Tuchel's comments reflected disappointment with the team's performance and the need to move beyond the old guard to foster a more energetic and confident squad.
Lionel Messi has addressed his absence from a friendly match in Hong Kong, explaining that he was unable to play due to inflammation in his adductor. He emphasized his desire to play in every match and clarified that his absence had nothing to do with politics, expressing his close relationship with China. Messi also mentioned his efforts to participate in events and games in China throughout his career. The decision to play Messi for 30 minutes in a subsequent match against Vissel Kobe was agreed upon after a training session, with coach Tata Martino expressing satisfaction with Messi's performance. Inter Miami will kick off their MLS season against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
Argentina's planned friendlies in China against Nigeria and Ivory Coast may be relocated due to the fallout from Lionel Messi's absence in a recent match in Hong Kong. The Argentina Football Association is considering alternative venues amid the political climate in China turning against Messi. The Hong Kong government expressed disappointment over Messi's no-show and subsequent participation in a match in Japan, leading to ongoing talks to potentially move the friendlies to different locations.
The U.S. men’s national team suffered a 1-0 loss to Slovenia in their first friendly of 2024, with minimal takeaways due to the roster composition and playing conditions. The team's structural preferences and lack of a defined No. 10 were evident, while 11 players made their senior USMNT debut. DeJuan Jones and Esmir Bajraktarevic impressed, potentially boosting their chances for future tournaments, while Shaq Moore, Tim Tillman, and Brian White may have hurt their cases with underwhelming performances.
The U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) is set to face China PR in a two-game set of friendlies, with the first match taking place on December 2 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The USWNT, led by new head coach Emma Hayes, aims to close out 2023 on a strong note as they prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. The team boasts a roster of fresh faces and players eager to prove themselves. The USWNT has not lost a game in regulation in 2023 and has a dominant defense, having allowed only two goals this year. The match against China PR marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2018.