The United States picked a mix of fringe players and first-choice starters in their lineup to face Ukraine, and that side wasn’t strong enough to prevent a straightforward defeat.
USMNT’s backup defense struggles
Kyle RivasA pair of substitutes hooked up for Ukraine’s second goal in the 67th minute, with Brooks the biggest culprit for his side once again. Brooks moved up the pitch to try to win the ball back, but failed, leaving tons of space behind him. Roman Bezus picked out Marko Devic with a ball over the top, and though Howard saved his first effort, Devic was able to roll his second shot into the back of the net.
Ukraine: Pyatov, Khacheridi, Kucher, Fedetskiy, Shevchuk (Makarenko 79’), Rotan (Edmar 77’), Tymoshchuk, Konoplyanka (Gusev 65’), Garmash (Bezus 46’), Yarmolenko (Morozuk 90’), Zozulya (Devic 65’)
Read Article >USA faces an uncertain opponent
Kyle RivasWhile the restart of the Ukranian Premier League has been delayed, many of the nation’s best players have played since the winter, with Dynamo Kiev and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk participating in Europa League. However, players at Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist Kharkiv have not had the same benefit.
Because of the ongoing issues in Ukraine, the game is being played at a neutral site, in Cyprus, which was also the location of Dynamo Kiev’s home game in the Europa League.
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