>
Anthony Hudson Says USMNT ‘Achieved Its Goals’ Despite Failing To Win Both Friendlies Against Colombia And Serbia As Interim Coach Reflects On International Debut Of TWELVE Players
United States interim coach Anthony Hudson said he had done a job after overseeing two friendlies for the national team, despite not winning any of them.
The USA drew 0-0 with Colombia on Saturday night after a 2-1 loss to Serbia earlier in the week in California. The US roster was significantly thin with several first-team players unavailable due to commitments to European soccer clubs.
It meant that Hudson tapped several young players in the two games, giving the likes of Paxton Aaronson and Jesús Ferreira a chance to show why they should be involved in the future.
Anthony Hudson gave 12 players their debut for the United States in his recent games
On Saturday night, the United States finished tied 0-0 against Colombia in California.
“Overall, I think we achieved our goals,” Hudson said. There are a lot of players that we wanted to see with us, to see in competitive situations.
‘It was a case of being able to look at those players in our environment and being able to physically go through two games.
“The goal was to look at the players, give the players a chance, players that we’ve been monitoring, and then also be able to balance the group so that we can get through both games.”
Eight players made their United States debut Wednesday night against Serbia, the most in a game in more than 30 years, and four more against Colombia. The 12 total debuts are the most ever by a US team in this January period, surpassing eight debuts in 2006.
“What I saw from the touchline, it could easily have been a qualifying game,” Hudson said of Colombia’s game. ‘That’s what both teams were putting into this.
‘It was a very intense game. For some of the younger guys, it will be a great experience for them.’
Hudson received praise from his players in their first week of working together since the veteran coach replaced Gregg Berhalter, whose contract expired at the end of last year.
Berhalter, who led the US to the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, is under investigation by the US Soccer Federation for a domestic violence incident that occurred in the early 1990s. , and it is not clear if he has a chance to resume his career. worked.
Hudson said he was impressed by the level of play in the draw against Colombia.
The USA’s next game is in March: the team will play Grenada and El Salvador.
US Soccer is in turmoil after the departures of sporting director Earnie Stewart and men’s general manager Brian McBride earlier this month.
The governing body will select a new sporting director who will hire the permanent men’s head coach, but the process could take many months.
That means Hudson is likely to still be in charge in March during the next series of games, which are in a FIFA window, as opposed to this January camp. The United States will play Grenada and El Salvador.
It seems likely that the Seattle-born Englishman will lead the team to the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, which culminates on July 16 at nearby SoFi Stadium.
“Until I’m told otherwise, I’m going to do the best I can for the team and the players,” Hudson said.