The Art of the Finish

Last night’s match against Paraguay was a masterclass in finishing.

When you look at Balogun’s second goal, you see exactly what high-level execution looks like in a high-pressure moment. A lot of players would make the run and go down after the first challenge. But Balogun pushed through and delivered a pearl into the top corner.

Reyna’s Trivela

Pulling off a trivela in the closing minutes of a World Cup match is a testament to the kind of confidence that comes from technical mastery. Despite almost nobody questioning his talent, Giovanni Reyna has been somewhat of a doubt at all times for the US, but he came through here.

The strike was a perfect example of knowing exactly what to do with the ball when the opportunity presents itself.

The build-up to the goal was excellent as well, with over 20 passes (or 25? I don’t remember) being completed.

Last night, the team showed they’ve done the work. They were controlling the game early and delivered some classic goals for us that will be shown for generations.

Let’s hope the next games deliver a similar buzz and result!