The U.S. men's national team defeated Chile 4-2 in an entertaining friendly Tuesday in St. Louis. The U.S. got goals from Sebastian Berhalter, Julian Hall, Chris Richards and Mathis Albert, and Chile's Diego Ulloa and Maximiliano Gutiérrez netted for La Roja.
Berhalter put the U.S. ahead in the 37th minute, side-footing home after Hall dummied Sergiño Dest's pass. Chile hit the woodwork twice through Ben Brereton Díaz and Darío Osorio, but then equalized just before halftime when a corner forced a goalmouth scramble with Ulloa poking the ball home.
Gutiérrez then gave Chile the lead just four minutes into the second half with a lightning bolt from distance. But Hall equalized two minutes later with his glancing header from Gio Reyna's lofted ball finding the back of the net. Richards then grabbed the winner in the 72nd minute, heading home Berhalter's corner just minutes after coming on. Albert put a capper on the night, becoming the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history when he converted from close range off of Auston Trusty's knockdown.
The win was the USMNT's fifth in a row over CONMEBOL opposition. Matters boiled over late with some pushing and shoving, but the U.S. managed to avoid any red cards.
The U.S. will now gear up for a showdown with bitter rival Mexico on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
Manager rating (out of 10)
Mauricio Pochettino, 8 -- Pochettino put a heavily rotated squad on the field, with Reyna the lone holdover, but he again opted for a mix veterans and experience -- including three teenagers. At times, the inexperience showed, especially in the back, but these are moments when the youngsters needed to take their lumps. Pochettino went in heavy on veterans around the 62nd-minute mark, and it paid off with Richards scoring his fourth international goal.
All told, Pochettino achieved his goals. The U.S. prevailed, while some youngsters got some valuable experience. Win-win.
USMNT Player ratings (0-10; 10 = best; 5 = average)
GK Chris Brady, 5.5 -- Commanded his box well, right up until the goal when he needed to do a better job of punching away the ball. Delivered a brilliant save on Nils Reichmuth, but it looked as if he should have come off his line to snuff out the danger. More positives than negatives.
DF Antonee Robinson, 7 -- Provided the veteran presence required, as he was solid on the ball and defended his side well. Nearly claimed a goal in the 71st minute only to be denied by Chile goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
DF Neil Pierre, 5 -- Dominant in the air but was overambitious with some of his passes. He grew into the game as time went on but needed to be sharper when in possession.
DF Miles Robinson, 5 -- Was tidy with his passing for the most part but had some poor touches leading to some great chances for Chile, including a shot by Osorio that hit the post.
DF Frankie Westfield, 4 -- Seemed a little overmatched physically, and his inability to win a header allowed Gutiérrez to romp forward and score.
MF Brooklyn Raines, 6 -- Put in a dependable shift on both ends of the field, and proved adept at keeping the U.S. attack ticking over. Did well to track down a Chilean counterattack late.
MF Adri Mehmeti, 5 -- Connected with Reyna and Raines well at times but didn't have much of an impact defensively, as he won just 16.7% of his duels in his 62 minutes. That needs to significantly improve.
MF Sebastian Berhalter, 8 -- Continued his run of outstanding form. His passing was top notch, releasing Hall on a breakaway, and he was in the right place at the right time to convert his goal. His set-piece deliveries remain unmatched within the USMNT player pool, as he set up Richards' goal.
F Gio Reyna, 7 -- Looked sharp on the ball, and played some delightful passes forward. His peach of a cross allowed Hall to equalize at a moment when the U.S. looked wobbly.
F Julian Hall, 7 -- Brilliant awareness to dummy the ball to Berhalter for the U.S. opener. Terrific movement per usual, and though he squandered two great chances in the first half, he kept at his task and nodded home the team's second goal. Hall is the youngest player to score in his first two games for the USMNT.
F Sergiño Dest, 5 -- Was enduring a miserable game, that is until the goal when he did Dest things and helped set up Berhalter. Still would have expected more from a World Cup veteran.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Brian Schwake, 6 -- Didn't have a chance on Gutiérrez's goal. Got some vital touches on some Chilean set pieces to preserve the U.S. lead.
DF Chris Richards, 8 -- The defensive organization for the U.S. improved immensely, and he delivered at the offensive end as well.
DF Auston Trusty, 6 -- Added some composure in the back, and his knockdown set up Albert's goal.
DF Alex Freeman, 6 -- Was a significant upgrade at right back, and stung the palms of Vigouroux with a 66th-minute effort.
MF Tyler Adams, 6 -- Delivered a vital block on a shot in the 68th minute to keep the score level.
MF Malik Tillman, 6 -- Had some dynamic touches to augment the U.S. attack.
FW Mathis Albert, 7 -- Looked vibrant in his 27 minutes on the field, and made it a night to remember with his goal in stoppage time.
FW Damion Downs, NR -- Nearly bagged a goal late, but it was deflected away by the Chile defense.
FW Cavan Sullivan, NR -- Entered the game in 83rd minute, and had a great run late.