As the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) prepares for its knockout stage World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, former U.S. international Maurice Edu is offering insights into the team's readiness and capabilities.
Edu expressed that he is unfazed by the team's recent loss to Türkiye, stating that it presented an opportunity to rest key players and provide game time to others. He emphasized that the match did not feature the team's preferred lineup and that lessons, particularly regarding defensive lapses leading to a late goal, were learned.
Team Depth and Key Contributors
Addressing concerns about the team's depth, Edu identified several reserve players he has confidence in. Striker Ricardo Pepi showed positive moments against Australia and Türkiye, while midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is expected to contribute significant minutes in a position where depth is limited. For wing attacking roles, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, and Alex Zendejas all saw action against Türkiye and will be crucial in the knockout stages. In defense, Auston Trusty is noted for his performance against Türkiye, including scoring a goal.
When asked about the most impactful players, Edu highlighted Weston McKennie for his consistent positive contributions and for starting every game thus far. Alex Freeman, at 21 years old, has exceeded expectations with his performances on the World Cup stage. Folarin Balogun is also recognized for his consistent threat as a No. 9, providing a crucial offensive option.
Potential Against Elite Competition
On the question of whether the current squad could compete with teams like Spain or Portugal, Edu responded positively. He cited the team's athleticism as a significant strength, particularly when applying collective pressure on opponents who build from the back. While not guaranteeing success, he believes the team has the potential to disrupt such teams, especially if they reach a quarterfinal match after winning two prior knockout-stage games.
Memorable Moments
Edu recalled Balogun's second goal against Paraguay as the team's best goal scored so far. The most memorable celebration, he noted, was Gio Reyna's late goal in the same match, which saw the entire team, including head coach Mauricio Pochettino, join in the on-field celebration. He also pointed to Alex Freeman's goal against Australia, where the team sprinted to celebrate with him, as indicative of the squad's strong unity.
When posed the question of the greatest soccer player of all time, Edu's straightforward answer was Lionel Messi.