ST. LOUIS — Amidst all the excitement surrounding the young U.S. soccer team, a wide-eyed squad that kicked off the new World Cup era with an enlightening performance over the weekend, Mauricio Pochettino warned there would be ups and downs along the way.
After all, almost half of the roster had never played at the senior level, and the group as a whole hadn’t spent much time together.
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Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Chile at Energizer Park reinforced the coach’s admonition.
There were highs, for example:
Great set up in the first goal.
Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna mark another match.
Junior Julian Hall scored his second goal in two games and junior Mathis Albert scored his first. At 17 years and 4 months old, Albert is the youngest player to score a goal in the history of the United States.
Chris Richards’ tie-breaking goal in the 72nd minute as part of a second-half comeback.
Sebastian Berhalter scored the USMNT’s first goal against Chile.
(Bill Barrett/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
All in all, it was another good result and an entertaining outing for the program, which returns from the World Cup with the second of four friendlies in 11 days. For the second time in four days, the Americans scored four goals and flexed their muscles against a South American foe.
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There were also some anxious moments, especially in the first half when the Americans missed numerous scoring opportunities and made many mistakes. They were lucky to be level at half-time.
But they showed resilience in the second half and, along with last Saturday’s 4-1 rout of Peru in Orlando, continued to build momentum heading into this Saturday’s clash with rivals Mexico in greater Phoenix. They will also face Canada on October 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
World Cup captain Tim Ream was awarded for 16 years and 86 games as a member of the national team at the pre-game ceremony held in his hometown. The Charlotte FC center back, who will turn 39 on Friday, announced moments ago that he is retiring from international football and will not be considering his club future after the MLS season.
“Kids are getting younger and younger,” he said. Ream was talking about the US roster, not her own three children.
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“I got a message last night [that] I was a senior at Saint Louis University at the time [17-year-old forward Cavan Sullivan] was born,” said Ream. “He’s only four years older than my oldest,” I said.”
Ream was not selected for the current roster.
Tuesday’s starting line-up, including juniors Hall, Neil Pierre and Adri Mehmeti, averaged over 23. Other young starters were 21-year-old midfielder Brooklyn Raines and 20-year-old right guard Frankie Westfield.
At nearly 6-foot-7, the 18-year-old Pierre was a surefire presence on the back line. Like Sullivan, he is enjoying an uninterrupted club campaign with the Philadelphia Union.
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Reyna was the only starting player of the Peru match. As of Saturday, Pochettino started six World Cup 2026 players: Reyna, Berhalter, goalkeeper Chris Brady, wingers Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest and centre-back Miles Robinson.
Brady, 22, made his first international start after making his singles debut at the World Cup.
Chile, who have missed out on three World Cups since winning the Copa America in 2016, were without La Liga captain Gabriel Suazo and Lucas Cepeda in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Canada in Toronto.
As they did against Peru, the Americans threatened with the Reyna set. His free-kick from 25 yards was met by Miles Robinson and Lawrence Viguru’s pinpoint header was superbly deflected wide.
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The US was initially organized and energetic, but not always precise. In the 18th minute, a misunderstanding between Berhalter and Mehmeti led to Chile’s threat. A minute later, Berhalter’s delicious ball left Hall alone, but after rounding Vigouroux, his off-balance, angled effort missed high and wide.
Brady shuddered, sitting back when he should have come forward and letting Victor Mendez test him. Then, with a minute to spare in the shoot-out, he got lucky too as Ben Brereto’s screamer hit the crossbar and Dario Osorio’s low effort hit the far post.
Against the run of play, the match took an unexpected turn.
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Two minutes after Osorio’s scare, the Americans went ahead with a beautifully set goal in the 37th minute. They won the ball in midfield. Dest and Reyna played a sharp combination. With quick and smart footwork, Dest danced on the box. He passed to Hall, who faked the ball with the veteran’s wits, allowing Berhalter to bury it 12 yards at the far post.
Brady’s problems continued. In the final part of the half – a Chilean corner kick – he hit the ball up and then behind. A mad scramble ensued. Finally, Diego Ulloa’s cross from inside the six-yard box found its way past Westfield’s goal and into the net.
Brady’s night – or nightmare – is over. As against Peru, Pochettino changed his goalkeeper at half-time: Nashville’s Brian Schwack made his 12th debut of the camp.
He couldn’t do much about Maxi Gutierrez’s go-ahead goal in the 49th minute. A miscue by Westfield in midfield allowed Gutiérrez to slide into the US end. Berhalter was unable to close it down and the Chilean forward fired a 23-yard shot into the far corner.
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Two minutes later, the United States responded. Reyna lifted a delicate cross into the box where Hall rose to head it away from eight yards.
Pochettino turned to his bench and made seven substitutions, including five veterans. Vigouroux made a fine leg save on Antonee Robinson, but the ensuing corner saw Berhalter deliver a perfect ball to Richards for a powerful header from the edge of the six-yard box.
Chile even threatened to withdraw. The USA widened the gap with Albert’s knife from under the crossbar from close range. An announced crowd of 21,680 liked it.
Shortly before the final whistle, a fight broke out to clear the benches after the Chilean player kicked the fallen Schwak in the arm. Play resumed but another brief incident occurred as the final whistle blew.
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“Take me home, country roads” blared over the speakers.
US records
Winger Cole Campbell, who left the Peru match for the first time due to an undisclosed illness, and goalkeeper Diego Kochen, who played in the second half on Saturday, were out. Kochen was fit, but Pochettino again opted to field 26 players.
Anthony Robinson captained the team for the first time in his 60th game.
Sullivan replaced Berhalter in the 83rd minute.
The Americans are 11-1-3 in Greater St. Louis, including 5-0-0 at Energizer Park, located 1.3 miles west of the Gateway Arch and opening before the 2023 MLS season.