The USMNT fell 2-0 to a Japan side that looked up to par as it prepares to battle in a tough Group E in Qatar that includes Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.
The starting No. 9 competition is arguably the most important one Berhalter is keeping tabs on ahead of November. While Ferreira is currently the first-choice option, he’ll need to be in great form game in and game out to maintain that job, especially with Jordan Pefok’s exclusion from the September squad.
Ferreira got on the end of a sparkling cross from Sergiño Dest in the opening minutes as shown above, but he skied his header over the crossbar instead of directing it downward with Japan goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda caught out of position. Though the USMNT backline often struggled throughout the 90 minutes, new Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner made several important saves that prevented the scoreline from being worse than 2-0.
Considering Iran beat Uruguay 1-0 in its friendly and Wales is hanging close with some European powerhouses, the USMNT is heading the wrong way in terms of form as November approaches. The friendly against Saudi Arabia is the team’s last game together before it faces Wales to open group-stage play, so let’s see if the Americans can steer the ship in the right direction.
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