Japan vs USA

In the first of their last two two tune-up matches for the United States men's national team they'll clash with Japan. Gregg Berhalter's men are in Germany ...

Japan will be a tough team to unlock so it makes sense for Berhalter to go with a more creative option and Cardoso has played as a holding mid or a shuttler depending on the need. Jordan Pefok and Haji Wright have at least been involved in camps so you can point to Berhalter working to see if they could fit his system, but that's not the case with Vazquez. Considering how the team relies on Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah cutting in from wing positions, it makes sense, but Berhalter isn't leaving himself with much of a backup plan if things don't go according to pan out. Berhalter also opts to go with Luca de la Torre in midfield to put together what is a strong team for this match. This is when it comes back to the competition for places at Arsenal. Dest pushes so high to help in attack, and then once Japan go on the counter, they have a huge advantage against a three-man backline. The Americans are getting down the right regularly through de la Torre and Sergino Dest as Jesus Ferreira misses a tough yet wide open header in front of goal. The defense has held strong but that's more of a credit to Turner than praise for their performance so far. I'd expect to see Paul Arriola, Josh Sargent and Jordan Morris in the second half, but somebody needs to be a bit more creative. While there hasn't been a lot of good in this match, Turner has largely been sharp aside from one very poor pass from the back. Japan held strong but it's better as the team has had no chances in the attacking third. Likely to go with a strong lineup, all eyes will be on who replaces the injured Yunus Musah as if someone like Johnny Cardoso features and impresses, it could be an easy way to make the World Cup roster.