Subject: [U21] World Cup Qualifiers

On Saturday, we won the match against Morocco U21 8:0. We played a very offensive tactic 4-3-3. Again, our goalkeeper had no work for the full match. The shooting statistics (34-0) show that only the USA U21 team played in this match. Every one of our strikers scored a goal. A hattrick was scored by Joseph Loughlin, two goals by Herb Rice, and one goal each by Preston Buehler and Anthony Simon. In addition, one own goal was scored by a Moroccan defender. Our central midfielder Butch Dixon, who scored as many as 3 assists, should also be praised. This Saturday, we face a very difficult match against a team from the first pot - Colombia U21 - quarterfinalist of the last U21 World Cup.

We lost today against Colombia U21 1:2. We started the match with the tactic of 5-3-2. The beginning of the match was very unlucky for us, because after just 11 minutes we were losing 0:2. Later we played much better, but we did not score a goal until the halftime. In the second half, after a beautiful pass by Butch Dixon, a one-on-one situation was exploited by Anthony Simon, who scored a goal for 1:2. In the 65th minute we changed tactics to a more offensive 4-3-3. The result of the match did not change. Next week, in the last round, we will play against Nicaragua. We will definitely take 3rd place in our group. This is not a bad result. We improved by one place compared to the previous World Cup Qualifiers. I hope we will improve again in the next qualifiers and promote to the World Cup finals. I would like to continue to work on improving our performance.

In the last match of Group B of the WCQ, we won against Nicaragua U21 4:0. We dominated throughout the match and created many goal-scoring chances (shots 21-2). We played with an offensive tactic of 4-3-3, and our goalkeeper had no work in this match. Two goals for our team were scored by Preston Buehler, and one goal each by Anthony Simon and Herb Rice. For each of them, this was their last match for the USA U21, as they will be 22 years old next Friday. Our 19yo defender Otis Maisonneuve made his debut in this match. We finished 3rd in the final table, but were only 2 points short of 1st and 2nd place.



I am glad that we fought Cuba and Colombia as equals despite the fact that individually we were weaker than them:

55.0 Cuba U21
53.8 Colombia U21
49.7 USA U21
43.1 Malaysia U21
41.3 Nicaragua U21
26.2 Al Maghrib U21

We achieved one place higher than my predecessor. Next season I want to advance to the TOP 34 and be seeded in the second pot, and in two seasons I want to achieve promotion to the World Cup U21.

Now we are building the squad for the next WCQ. I have already scheduled a friendly match against Scotland in a week, and against Iceland in two weeks. We will play players U20 to test them and test them tactically.

Today was the draw for the U21 WCQ groups. We will play in group I, and our opponents will be Germany, Sweden, Japan, Macedonia and Uzbekistan. Germany will be the favorite of the group, but we will fight for promotion to the World Cup finals.

U21 Group I

USA U21 - Deutschland U21 1:1

USA U21 Deutschland U21
5-3-2 line Tactics S67-Orni
51% Possession 49%
44% Play in the half 56%
11 Shots 8
3 Fouls 0
1 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
0 Offsides 7
52.9 average mark 59.2
very good Shooting very good
very good Passing solid
very good Defending excellent

USA U21
1. B. Burke
2. Z. Woodman
(76' P. Adams)
3. O. Maisonneuve
4. T. Sharpe
5. S. Varholak
6. D. Irvine
7. O. Tyler
8. S. Convey
(81' E. Torn)
9. G. Johnson
10. L. Sutton
(76' A. Coolidge)
11. P. Shultis
(70' F. Madden)
12. A. Chapman
14. R. Cannon
16. J. Kay

It was a fantastic match to open the WCQ. We achieved a 1:1 draw against the group favorite Germany U21. The match was evenly matched and exciting. The first goal for our team in the 48th minute of the match was scored by Pierre Shultis (Dinamo T). Four minutes later, Germany scored a goal for 1:1 after a mistake by our goalkeeper. After that the match was evenly matched all the time and no one managed to score anymore. We played a 5-3-2 tactic, which was effective against the rival's game with a winger. I'm satisfied with the play of our defensive team, because Germany didn't have clear situations to score goals.
In a week's time in the second round of the WCQ we will play against the group leader North Macedonia, which yesterday defeated Uzbekistan 4:1. The new National Coach of this country is instinct - 13-time champion of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6-time winner of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup.
We will fight for 3 points.

U21 Group I

Round 2/10

Severna Makedonija U21 - USA U21 0:3

Severna Makedonija U21 USA U21
Euro24 Tactics 4-3-3 ATT
49% Possession 51%
64% Play in the half 36%
1 Shots 21
3 Fouls 2
0 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
2 Offsides 1
40 average mark 53.9
weak Shooting excellent
average Passing very good
very good Defending solid

USA U21
1. A. Chapman
2. T. Sharpe
(75' P. Adams)
3. S. Varholak
4. Z. Woodman
5. D. Irvine
6. S. Convey
7. O. Tyler
8. G. Johnson
(80' E. Torn)
9. A. Coolidge
(61' F. Madden)
10. L. Sutton
11. P. Shultis
(70' J. Kay)
12. B. Burke
13. O. Maisonneuve
16. C. Helmsley

We realized our goal and scored 3 points. We won 3:0. Pierre Shultis (Dinamo T) scored a beautiful goal from distance in the 9th minute. In the second half of the match, in the 63rd minute, the result was increased to 2:0 by Pierre Shultis (Dinamo T), after a hit shot by his clubmate Foster Madden. In the final moments of the match in the 85th minute, after a beautiful assist from Oswald Tyler (Fenix Barca), the goal was scored by Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence), who was entered on the pitch in the 70th minute of the match.
Next week we will play against a stronger opponent Japan U21. Japan won yesterday against Uzbekistan U21 8:0. In the last World Cup Qualifiers, just like us, the players from the cherry blossom country finished 3rd in the group competition. It will be a difficult match, we respect our opponent, but we will fight for 3 points.

U21 Group I

Round 3/10

Nippon U21 - USA U21 1:3

Nippon U21 USA U21
By Antos Tactics 5-3-2 line
47% Possession 53%
60% Play in the half 40%
5 Shots 13
3 Fouls 0
0 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
3 Offsides 2
44 average mark 52.9
solid Shooting very good
adequate Passing very good
solid Defending solid

USA U21
1. A. Chapman
2. T. Sharpe
(72' P. Adams)
3. O. Maisonneuve
4. D. Irvine
5. S. Varholak
6. Z. Woodman
7. O. Tyler
8. S. Convey
(76' E. Torn)
9. G. Johnson
10. L. Sutton
11. P. Shultis
(67' F. Madden)
12. B. Burke
14. R. Cannon
16. C. Helmsley
18. J. Kay

On Saturday, we got a valuable three points. We won against Japan U21 3:1. Our opponent did not surprise us and played with a 5-2-3 tactic, and I knew I had to strengthen the defensive line to 5 players. It was crucial for me to have an advantage in the middle of the field, so we played with three midfielders, while in attack we played with two strikers. The beginning of the match was good for us, as two goals were scored by Atlantic FC player Lewis Sutton. At the beginning of the second half we lost a goal. In the last minutes of the match, the decisive third goal for our team was scored by reserve striker Foster Madden from Dinamo T, for whom it was the 1st goal in the USA U21. After 3 matches, we have 7 points and hold 2nd place in the table.
On Saturday we will play against the weakest team in the table Uzbekistan U21. Certainly, the most key players of our national team will be rested, and players who play rarely in the national colors will get a chance to play in this match. There will certainly be debuts as well. We respect the opponent, but we have to get 3 points.

U21 Group I

Round 4/10

USA U21 - O‘zbekiston U21 11:0

USA U21 O‘zbekiston U21
4-3-3 ATT ver 2 Tactics ViGoR
59% Possession 41%
18% Play in the half 82%
46 Shots 0
2 Fouls 1
0 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
0 Offsides 0
46.1 average mark 25
very good Shooting average
solid Passing weak
good Defending average

USA U21
1. J. Stolarczyk
2. P. Keen
3. C. Mackenzie
(76' V. Alcott)
4. J. Woock
5. P. Peercy
(71' C. Key)
6. C. Helmsley
7. D. Fay
8. E. Torn
(68' L. Sanders)
9. J. Kay
(76' A. Coolidge)
10. F. Madden
11. O. Ambersley
(60' D. Loughlin)
12. H. Coyle
16. O. Cherundolo

On Saturday we defeated Uzbekistan U21 11:0. It was a shooting festival for our strikers. 6 goals were scored by Foster Madden (Dinamo T), 3 goals by Owen Ambersley (Germanie-Ś.P.), and one each by Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence) and Al Coolidge (Warszawa Warszawa (L)). We played with a 4-3-3 tactic, and after halftime an even more offensive 4-3-3. We didn't play with the strongest lineup, four of our players Jonathan Stolarczyk (Boscy Footbolowcy), Phillip Peercy (FC Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski), Victor Alcott (FC Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski) and Drew Fay (Hot Club Lions) made their debuts. On Saturday we will play against Sweden. After Germany, this is our toughest opponent in the group.

U21 Group I

Round 5/10

Sverige U21 - USA U21 0:3

Sverige U21 USA U21
dymam Norberta Tactics 5-3-2 line
44% Possession 56%
59% Play in the half 41%
6 Shots 11
3 Fouls 1
2 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
7 Offsides 1
53.2 average mark 55.5
very good Shooting very good
good Passing very good
solid Defending very good

USA U21:
1. A. Chapman
2. T. Sharpe
(70' P. Adams)
3. O. Maisonneuve
4. D. Irvine
5. S. Varholak
6. Z. Woodman
7. O. Tyler
8. S. Convey
(76' E. Torn)
9. G. Johnson
10. L. Sutton
(76' J. Kay)
11. P. Shultis
(55' F. Madden)
12. B. Burke
14. R. Cannon
16. C. Helmsley

On Saturday, we won a very important match against Sweden U21 3:0. The match was very exciting, as the game remained tied until the 73rd minute. In the first half, our striker failed to score a goal from a penalty kick. In the second half of the match, valuable 3 points were given to us by the goals of our 20-year-old strikers: Foster Madden (Dinamo T) in the 73' and 83' and Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence) in the 89'. At the halfway point of the group stage competition, we are 2nd in the table. We have 13 points (the same as table leader Germany) and 4 points ahead of Sweden.
In a week's time we will play a friendly match against Israel U21, who are led by Islander. Israel is excellently managed by our friend, they took points away from favored Portugal. We have arranged for the match with the U20 squad, so that reserve players and debutants will get a chance to play.

U21 Group I

Round 6/10

USA U21 - Sverige U21 1:0

USA U21 Sverige U21
5-3-2 line Tactics GwaT 1v
49% Possession 51%
53% Play in the half 47%
6 Shots 2
3 Fouls 3
1 Yellow cards 0
1 Red cards 0
1 Offsides 3
55.9 average mark 53
solid Shooting solid
very good Passing solid
very good Defending very good

USA U21:
1. B. Burke
2. R. Cannon
(74' V. Alcott)
3. O. Maisonneuve
4. D. Irvine
5. S. Varholak
6. Z. Woodman
7. O. Tyler
8. D. Fay
(85' E. Torn)
9. G. Johnson
10. L. Sutton
(85' J. Kay)
11. P. Shultis
(62' F. Madden)
12. A. Chapman
14. P. Adams
16. S. Convey

We are getting closer to promotion to the U21 World Cup! Yesterday we won against a strong Sweden U21 1:0. The match was not easy for us. Already in the 19th minute a red card was given to our central midfielder Oswald Tyler. Both teams did not create many goal opportunities. When it seemed that the match would end in a 0:0 draw, in the 85th minute of the match a goal for our team was scored by Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence), who was introduced on the pitch in the same minute and saved 3 points for us. Next week we will play against the weakest team in the table Uzbekistan U21. For sure, many 20-year-old players will play in this match. 3 points in this match will be our duty.

Bravo :) after two seasons of break, we are back at the U21 World Championships :)

U21 Group I

Round 7/10

O‘zbekiston U21 - USA U21 0:10

O‘zbekiston U21 USA U21
ViGoR Tactics 4-3-3 ATT ver 2
40% Possession 60%
83% Play in the half 17%
0 Shots 44
2 Fouls 1
2 Yellow cards 0
0 Red cards 0
0 Offsides 0
25.1 average mark 44.6
average Shooting very good
weak Passing solid
weak Defending good

USA U21:
1. J. Stolarczyk
(83' H. Coyle)
2. P. Keen
3. C. Mackenzie
4. P. Peercy
(71' C. Key)
5. J. Woock
6. C. Helmsley
7. O. Baldwin
(67' O. Cherundolo)
8. E. Torn
(67' E. Stine)
9. J. Kay
10. F. Madden
11. D. Loughlin
(55' O. Ambersley)
14. K. Houston
15. W. Rhode

On Saturday we won in an away match against Uzbekistan U21 10:0. We played the U20 squad with two debutants: 19-year-old goalkeeper Harlan Coyle (Balls of Steel) and 19-year-old midfielder Otis Cherundolo (Arsenal Prague). We played a very offensive 4-3-3 tactic, with goals for our team scored by Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence) - 5 goals, Foster Madden (Dinamo T) - 2 goals, Owen Ambersley (Germanie-Ś.P.) - 2 goals, Orlando Baldwin (Balls of Steel) - 1 goal. Assists were scored by: Foster Madden (Dinamo T) - 2 assists, Otis Cherundolo (Arsenal Prague) - 2 assists, Callum Helmsley (ThunderCats) - 1 assist, Orlando Baldwin (Balls of Steel) - 1 assist, Emanuel Torn (FC Slovan Bratislava 19) - 1 assist, Jimmy Kay (FC Lawrence) - 1 assist.
On Saturday we will play against Japan U21. If we win we will secure promotion to the U21 World Cup !

U21 Group I

Round 8/10

USA U21 - Nippon U21 2:4

5-3-2 line Tactics By Antos
53% Possession 47%
35% Play in the half 65%
18 Shots 8
3 Fouls 6
1 Yellow cards 0
1 Red cards 0
3 Offsides 1
59.5 average mark 46.2
excellent Shooting solid
very good Passing adequate
formidable Defending solid

USA U21:
1. B. Burke
2. R. Cannon
(65' V. Alcott)
3. O. Maisonneuve
4. D. Irvine
5. S. Varholak
6. Z. Woodman
7. O. Tyler
8. D. Fay
(73' E. Torn)
9. G. Johnson
10. L. Sutton
(78' J. Kay)
11. P. Shultis
(61' F. Madden)
12. A. Chapman
14. P. Adams
16. S. Convey

It was the most unlucky match since I've been the National Coach of the USA U21. Until the 60th minute we were winning 2:0 after goals by Lewis Sutton (Atlantic FC) and Pierre Shultis (Dinamo T), we had full control of the match. In the 60th minute a red card was given to our midfielder Oswald Tyler (Fenix Barca) and then the game changed dramatically. Almost every shot of the opponent ended in a goal, even shots from outside the penalty area. We didn't score goals even in one-on-one situations with the opponent's goalkeeper. We did not deserve to lose. The game engine clearly helped the opponent. We must accept this defeat and fight for 3 points in the next match against North Macedonia. We are fighting for the coveted promotion to the U21 World Cup.

USA U21 - Severna Makedonija U21 10:0

We are in the World Cup U21! :-)

Congrats!

Thanks islander! :-)