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[QUOTE="DeGrozz, post: 2885002, member: 205"]
Berhalter obviously wanted his first game to look pretty -- I'm not sure we'll always see these numbers being thrown forward, but USMNT fans have a few things to look forward too.

1 - The wing play:  Roldan and Ebobisse playing wide are really creating some space and opportunities to throw in dangerous balls.  That bodes well for when it's Puli and Weah having opportunities to create chances.

2 - If we're putting Zardes in good spots early, you gotta feel good about what Wood or Sargent will be doing.  Zardes is a great athlete, he blossomed under Berhalter and the Crew this year, but get a real, skilled striker in there and they may have a goal and an assist already tonight.

3 - The defense, although I'm not thrilled about the way the individual players played last season (outside of Long), is looking organized.

4 - At least three times, we've overloaded one side of the field playing through our pivot and created a shot within 25 seconds.  We never saw those 'set plays' with Klinny or Arena.  I still contend Berhalter is a much better coach than most fans think, let's see if he makes me look like my normal foolish self.

The biggest negative:

We know Bradley isn't the answer as the pivot in Berhalter's system this cycle.  I think he currently distributes better than Adams, McKennie, or Trapp, but one or two of those three is gonna have to step up soon to make a one-for-one replacement.

I still contend that John Brooks is the best distributor in USMNT history outside of JOB or Reyna, hopefully he picks up some of the slack when Bradley proves to be the liability he's becoming.

That's your first 45 minute hot take.  Take it with a grain of salt.
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