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It wasn’t exactly a night of celebration for the United States. This wasn’t some grand victory, nor was it a tough test of wills. Rather, it was yet another night where Gregg Berhalter was able to reconnect with the USMNT through a glorified scrimmage.
Those tough tests will come soon – next month, when Germany and Ghana take on the Americans in Connecticut and Tennessee. But tonight, all the United States needed to do was not embarrass themselves, and that’s exactly what they did.
An opening goal from Folarin Balogun was the only legitimate one for the United States in what would be a 4-0 win for the United States over a thoroughly outclassed Oman side.
After Balogun fired home the first goal, the Americans would go scoreless throughout the rest of the first half.
It was a shocking performance in net from Oman keeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini that essentially led to the Americans’ stat-padding their result from the night.
Folarin Balogun (20) bagged the opening goal in the United States’ 4-0 victory over Oman
Brendan Aaronson’s free kick in the 60th minute went straight through the Oman wall as Al-Mukhaini did a terrible job of reading the shot.
Minutes later, Ricardo Pepi took a shot that went off the keepers hands and into his own net.
An 81st minute own goal from Khalid Al-Braiki solidified the result that seemed less like a solid victory and more like a confirmation of what should have already been known: that the Americans were the better side.
With the tougher challenges on the horizon, Berhalter told MailSport that there were some big takeaways from this camp – both in tonight’s game and the previous 3-0 win over Uzbekistan.
‘What we needed to learn from this camp is how to play and how to beat opponents of this caliber,’ Berhalter said. ‘Because there’s a high likelihood we face a team like this in the World Cup.
‘Next camp’s gonna be a different proposition. Now, how do you beat two world top-25 teams. You know, Germany just beat France today.
‘So it’s gonna be a different type of game and we’ll get everyone ready and prepared to step up and meet this competition.’
Brenden Aaronson scored a free kick in the 60th minute – his first goal in six months for the US
It was an awful night for Oman keeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini – who should have saved two goals
Berhalter told MailSport the US ‘needed to learn how to play and beat’ teams of this caliber
Midfielders Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah had a phenomenal impact on the game – combining for 112 completed passes at a combined rate of 87 percent completion.
Berhalter said that he was, ‘pleased with the entire camp’ calling it a ‘really good learning experience for us all’.
He also praised center backs Chris Richards and Miles Robinson – saying that they both received a match ball ‘which we never do’.
Berhalter said their effort made Oman’s counter attack ‘non-existent’ – but relented that the absence of one of their top attacking players may have aided that.