Philadelphia Union

USA vs Venezuela times two: USMNT and U-20’s both face Venezuela within hours of each other

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The US mens national team, and the US-20’s both play Venezuela within hours of each other Saturday night/Sunday morning. USMNT face off against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier tune up 10PM, while the US-U20’s face an undefeated Venezuela side in the quarterfinals of the under 20 World Cup at 2AM. Both match should be good games. But the intensity will differ. Let’s take a look at USA vs Venezuela times two!

USA vs Venezuela Friendly:

USMNT look to get ready for their two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela tonight. Venezuela is eliminated from World Cup 2018, so their dreams are dashed, yet they will play USA strong. Without the threat of harder competition waiting for them, Venezuela will go all out for the honor of representing their country. This will help the USMNT prepare for their World Cup qualifiers agaisnt Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico.

Match prediction:

The USMNT have a very strong roster moving towards their world cup qualifiers, this friendly will give everyone a taste of how Arena will have his team lineup in those matches. The talent this team has jumps off of the roster page, this match agaisnt Venezuela will help to solidify who will play where for the WCQ’s. I’d expect a 4-4-2 from the US, with these starters:

Howard; Villafana, Brooks, Cameron, Yedlin; Johnson, Acosta, Bradly, Pulisic; Dempsey, Altidore.

This 11 has experience, youth, strength and speed. these players should be able to try to gel before they face T&T and Mexico next week. Others will likely see the field as well, especially if the starting 11 doesn’t work well together. Even with the experimenting with personnel, USMNT should win this friendly. I’d expect a 3-1 win for USMNT as they get ready for crucial matches. Here’s a look at the full USMNT roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers:

U.S. MNT Roster By Position (Club; WCQ Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 13/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 0/0), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids; 35/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (11): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo; 33/6), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 11/1), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER; 3/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG; 20/2), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; 3/0), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 14/0), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas; 0/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 4/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 2/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 6/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 17/3)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 2/0), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 2/1), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 8/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 33/6), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 15/1), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers; 5/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 7/3)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 36/16), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC; 38/18), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 3/0), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER; 8/4).

A bit of history:

Clint Dempsey is only one goal away from tying Landon Donovan for most USMNT goals. Could he do it tonight vs Venezuela? Could he pass him on his way to greatness? The US-U20’s are also on the cusp of greatness.

Beating an unbeaten:

The U-20’s take on Venezuela team that has won all of their matches, scored 11 goals and conceded none. They face a US-U20 side fresh off a 6-0 win over New Zealand. This US side is full of confidence and they get key defensive pieces. Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Philadelphia Union’s own Derrick Jones return from suspension. They will sure up the middle of the field to stop the lethal Venezuela attack. So how can the Us beat the Unbeaten?

Match prediction:

The U-20’s can beat the unbeaten Venezuela side by doing the things they’ve been doing. Creating lethal attacks, and keeping their shape defensively. The attack for the US is solid Sargent, Lennon, De La Torre, Williamson and Adams know how to get forward and create pressure. The defensive structures comes back with the additions of Carter-Vickers on the back line and Jones in the midfield. The back line of Acosta, Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown and Glad, with Jones ahead of them, creates a great defensive wall. The U-20’s should lineup like this:

Klinsmann; Acosta, Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown, Glad; Jones, Adams, Williamson, De La Torre, Lennon, Sargent.

This 11 give the U-2o’s the lethal attack; as well as, the defensive stoutness to stand up to the strong Venezuela team. I predict a 2-1 for USA getting them to their first ever U-20 semifinals.

A bit of history:

Josh Sargent has tied a record for goals scored by an American in the U-20 World Cup. One more gets him the most all time, and could send the U-20’s to their second semifinals ever where they would play the winner of Portugal and Uruguay.

Be Sure to come back to Philly Sports Network for more soccer content:

Follow me on twitter @TGing21 for Soccer Twitter fun! Coming soon: A recap of the US’s games against Venezuela. A recap on how the Union did in NYCFC. A preview of the USMNT’s World Cup qualifier vs Trinidad and Tobago. Until then, peace out!

 

Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

About the Author

Tim Lovenguth

Philly Sports Network Editor of Soccer Content A passion for the beautiful game drives me. Twitter: @Tim_Lovenguth

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