By Kenta Hagiwara
Starting XIs
USA (4-2-3-1): 1 Matt Turner; 23 Kristoffer Lund, 3 Chris Richards (C), 4 Mark McKenzie, 12 Marlon Fossey; 6 Yunus Musah, 8 Aidan Morris; 19 Haji Wright, 11 Brenden Aaronson, 9 Ricardo Pepi; 20 Folarin Balogun.
New Zealand (4-2-3-1): 1 Max Crocombe; 13 Liberato Cacace, 14 Finn Surman, 3 Nando Pijnaker, 2 Tim Payne; 6 Joe Bell, 8 Marko Stamenic: 16 Alex Rufer, 7 Matthew Garbett, 11 Elijah Just; 9 Chris Wood.
Scoring Summary
69’ Christian Pulisic (Assist: Folarin Balogun) - USA 1, NZF 0.
89’ Ben Waine - USA 1, NZF 1.
Stats (USA/NZF)
Shots: 17/8
Shots on Target: 5/3
Possession (%): 66/34
Corner Kicks: 7/0
Fouls: 15/16
Match Summary
Marlon Fossey earned his 1st senior cap with the USMNT in Cincinnati as a starter.
Pre-match announcement - 30 minutes before kickoff - Mauricio Pochettino announced as the new USMNT head coach.
Christian Pulisic scores in back to back substitute appearances for the USMNT at TQL Stadium, the first coming in 2022 World Cup Qualification against Mexico.
TQL Stadium attendance - not officially announced.
Obviously, regardless of the result on the pitch, this match and day in USMNT news was bound to be highlighted by the announcement made by the US Soccer Federation just 30 minutes prior to kickoff at TQL Stadium, announcing Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino as the next USMNT head coach.
This news was a long time coming - with multiple credible US Men’s National Team insiders reporting on the finalizing of Pochettino to USMNT before this September International Window even began. Nonetheless, the finalizing of the deal did not happen in time for Pochettino to start his coaching of the USMNT this window, with the USSF selecting Mikey Varas as the Interim Head Coach for the team.
Varas, who opened Monday’s (MD-1) pre-match press conference with a statement that he had no information on the new coaching situation, was able to speak on the hiring of the Argentine following the conclusion of the match on Tuesday.
“Everybody’s excited for this next chapter. He (Pochettino) brings tremendous quality. I don’t think I could say anything more about his level or his experience - it's a massive moment for US Soccer.”
Pochettino is set to make his managerial debut for the USMNT in a friendly against Panama at Q2 Stadium.
September was the first USMNT camp call-up for highly rated, dual-national GK Diego Kochen, who currently plays in Spain for Barcelona Atletic. He briefly spoke on his experience with the USMNT after the draw the New Zealand on Tuesday.
“Great experience” said Kochen on his first senior USMNT camp. “Team full of great guys, great staff, couldn’t be happier.” The dual-national GK also confirmed to Area Sports Network following Tuesday’s match that he hasn’t had any formal conversation with the Peruvian NT.
Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona)
A first NT cap, first USMNT start for Standard Liege fullback Marlon Fossey. He spoke on his return to the USMNT for the first time since 2019 and about his first NT cap.
“My last camp was 2019 and I had to leave the camp because of injuries, so to make it back here, to see some familiar faces, see some new faces - I’ve just been soaking it all in all week.
And, to step out there today… it was a little emotional, you know, the national anthem was playing and just taking everything in. I just tried to be energetic, tried to make the most of the opportunity.”
Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege)
Kenta’s MVP: Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
Mikey Varas referred to Morris’ performance against New Zealand as “boss”. “He was the boss. He was the boss in the midfield. That’s all I have to say.”
Mikey Varas (USMNT)
Aidan Morris stats (OptaStats):
86 Minutes
79/87 (91%) Accurate Passes
2 Key Passes
6/8 Ground Duels Won
3 Fouls Drawn
0 Fouls Committed
3 Tackles
1 Blocked Shot
1 Interception
Morris earned just his 7th cap for the USMNT as the 22 year old midfielder played a pivotal role in the USMNT’s double pivot 4-2-3-1 system against New Zealand on Tuesday. Paired with Yunus Musah, Morris was tasked to be the ball winning midfielder of the two, with Musah just winning 1/7 duels in the 45 minutes he played in Cincinnati.
Morris made the move from MLS’ Columbus Crew to English Championship side Middlesbrough over the summer transfer window, and he’s been a key piece for the English club’s strong start as they sit in 7th (out of 24) in the Championship through 4 matches.
With Tyler Adams’ out once again due to injury, Morris has the opportunity to establish himself as a regular for the USMNT midfield as a number 6 option for Pochettino in the upcoming window as well. One of the best products any MLS academy has produced in its history, Morris should be a pivotal piece in the USMNT pool for years to come - after all, he’s still just 22 years young.
