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USA 3-2 Martinique: 3 things we learned

By Michael Harshbarger

TAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Jordan Morris of the United States looks on during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B match between the United States and Martinique at Raymond James Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Jordan Morris of the United States looks on during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B match between the United States and Martinique at Raymond James Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The USA beat Martinique 3-2 in a nerve racking Gold Cup match on Wednesday in Tampa. Here’s three things we learned.

Hoo boy. The U.S. Men’s National Team should never require a late goal to beat Martinique, no matter the situation. But that’s what transpired on Wednesday night as the U.S. beat Martinique by a score line of 3-2 in their Group B Gold Cup matchup.

Bruce Arena made eight changes to the starting lineup, staying true to his promise to see as many players as possible in the group stage. He may have made just as many changes regardless of the competition after the poor showing the Yanks put in against Panama last Saturday. In any event, it is difficult to form any kind of group cohesion with so many new players on the field.

Some USMNT fans may be worried after another lackluster showing, and with good reason, but the U.S. needed to get three points to stay on track to advance to the knockout round, and that’s what they did. Let’s take a look at three things we learned from this match.

Matt Hedges has a long way to go

Aside from a few well-timed tackles, FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges had a rough night. He failed to win balls in the air and didn’t look comfortable in one on one situations or with the ball at his feet.

Hedges got absolutely roasted in the lead up to the second goal as a Martinique attacker touched the ball around him and then proceeded to beat the U.S. defender like he stole something. Hedges looked slow and out of place all night.

The 27-year-old has been great for his MLS side, and has been tapped to fight for playing time at center-back for the national team, but another performance like tonight could see him fall completely out of favor with Arena.

Eric Lichaj did enough to leapfrog Graham Zusi at right-back

Eric Lichaj finally got his chance, and he took it. Aside from a few bad passes, the Nottingham Forest man put in a great shift against Martinique. He was noticeably more comfortable on the ball than the other American defenders — and most of the midfielders for that matter — and was consistently in good defensive position.

Lichaj showed his ability to get forward as well. After being played into the box thanks to a fantastic ball from substitute Alejandro Bedoya, the 28-year-old supplied a pinpoint pass to Jordan Morris, who finished off the Yanks’ second goal.

DeAndre Yedlin has emerged as the first-choice right-back for Bruce Arena, but the need for a quality backup is clearly evident every time Graham Zusi steps onto the field. On Wednesday night, Lichaj showed why U.S. fans have been calling for him to get a chance.

After his showing against Martinique, Arena will surely give him a few more chances to cement his place in the depth chart during this Gold Cup.

Jordan Morris or Juan Agudelo will be an interesting choice for Arena going forward

Pun intended. Dom Dwyer scored a goal in each of his first two appearances for the USMNT and is poised to be Arena’s first choice at striker for the remainder of the Gold Cup. But, should the USMNT move forward with a two-striker lineup, the U.S. head coach will have a tough decision as to who will be Dwyer’s partner.

Jordan Morris and Juan Agudelo started up top on Wednesday. Morris, rightly, will stand out to most thanks to his two huge goals. After a quiet first half, the Seattle Sounders forward was all over the place in the final 45 minutes.

His first goal was all hustle as he surged toward the near post to tap in Lichaj’s cross. The game winner was a thing of beauty as he completed a give and go with Gyasi Zardes, roofing the return pass. Morris has struggled to find the back of the net in MLS this season, but his brace tonight will make it difficult for Arena to keep him off the field.

Agudelo has been on fire for the New England Revolution. And, while he didn’t score on Wednesday, he also presented a strong case for more playing time for the remainder of the Gold Cup. Agudelo’s close control was on display as he skipped nimbly passed defenders and made smart, simple passes to keep possession and set up teammates.

Next: The curious case of Florent Malouda

The USMNT will likely need a win in their final Group B matchup against Nicaragua to be absolutely sure of advancing to the knockout round. It will be interesting to see who Arena selects at forward. Morris likely has the upper hand due to his two goals, but it won’t be an easy choice by any means.

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