Alejandro Zendejas, who returned to Club America after the Serbia match, should also get an extended look given his dynamism on the wing and his precision in terms of end product. Of course, with Zendejas the question is if he’s called up for an official competition, will he commit or file that one-time switch to Mexico? That remains to be seen.
Credit is due to Cade Cowell as well. He was an unused sub on this night, but showed plenty of potential against Serbia. The key now is can he replicate that performance at club level with the San Jose Earthquakes?
Otherwise, it feels as though the rest of the young performers in this camp are still a ways away from threatening to break through. That said, for many of them, time is on their side.
Best, worst (and mixed-bag) performers
Best: Paul Arriola, U.S.
It’s perhaps no surprise that one of the more experienced players on the field would fare well (he earned his 50th cap), but the FC Dallas man was a menacing presence on the flank and forced two different Colombian players to commit yellow card fouls.
Best: Diego Valoyes, Colombia
The Colombia attacker gave Tolkin all he could handle, especially in the first half. He also created a team-high three chances.
Best: Paxten Aaronson, U.S.
Aaronson’s had more positives than negatives in his international debut, and adjusted his game in the second half.
Worst: Frank Fabra, Colombia
The U.S. found plenty of success down his side, with Arriola forcing a yellow card foul. Fabra struggled on the ball as well, completing just 67.5% of his passes.
Mixed bag: Matthew Hoppe, U.S.
A “worst” label would have been too harsh considering the positions he put himself in, but his decision-making and touch let him down at times. He is in desperate need of games at club level.
Highlights and notable moments
Paxten Aaronson was one of the players who stood out for the USMNT, as evidenced in this early scoring chance against Colombia.
Pax getting involved early 👀
📺 TNT pic.twitter.com/Jx73aGnJ6V
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) January 29, 2023
With more playing time and experience, he can be expected to put these into the net.
After the match: What the managers and players said
U.S. interim coach Anthony Hudson, on Paxten Aaronson’s debut: “Paxten is a really exciting player, hugely confident. He came in a day or two late but you can see his quality. We don’t know what his level will be, but we believe in his talent and will see what he can do.”
USMNT keeper Sean Johnson, on the camp: “It’s a great group of players, and that speaks to the depth of our player group. … There’s good times ahead for us. We would have loved to win, and we had our chances, but it was solid all around. As a group, I feel like this camp was a step forward.”
Hudson, on whether he’ll continue as interim coach: “Until I’m told otherwise, I’m going to do my best for the team and the players.”
Up next
U.S.: With no games until the March matches against Grenada and El Salvador as part of their Nations League title defense, expect all the action to be off the field as the speculation mounts during the coaching and general manager search.
Colombia: No planned games on the calendar so far.
