The United States suffered a 2-0 defeat to Japan on Friday afternoon in Germany and the official MLS website have aimed criticism at a number of players including Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams – giving him a rating of 3.5.
Adams, 23, has made an excellent start to life at Leeds. He has started and finished all six Premier League matches, rested for the Carabao Cup win over Barnsley. His hard-working style, and combative displays, are earning plaudits.
After a difficult spell with Leipzig, it will come as a relief to Adams, too. Especially, with the World Cup on the horizon in Qatar. While his form for Leeds is establishing himself as a starter for the USMNT – Friday against Japan did not.
Goals from Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma saw Japan cruise to a 2-0 win. Had it not been for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, the scoreline could have been a whole lot worse. Adams struggled, and the MLS site gave him 3.5.
“Adams worked hard on both sides of the ball, but the Leeds midfielder wasn’t able to find a way through Japan’s defense. His passing was limited to recycling the ball. In fairness, he didn’t get much help from the rest of midfield.”
Adams criticism as Leeds midfielder suffers Japan defeat
For a US side that boasts so many exciting players, it was poor. The likes of Adams, his Leeds teammate Brenden Aaronson, Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. But they did not seem to click.
It will be a worry for Gregg Berhalter ahead of the World Cup. They have a real chance of qualifying from the group which also includes England, Iran and Wales. But on today’s showing, Wales will fancy their chances of second.
It might be a one off – for Berhalter’s men, and for Adams himself. But he was unusually quiet, unable to be as combative as he is in a Leeds shirt. Perhaps, he was unable to feed off the crowd, given it was in Germany.
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