The U.S. Men's National Team opened 2016 on a positive note defeating Iceland 3-2 at StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon. For two Crew SC midfielders the match was extra special as they earned their first cap for the Stars and Stripes.
“Obviously it’s nice that the players got rewarded for a lot of work three weeks into preseason, three weeks training,” U.S. Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann said after the match. “Overall effort, spirit, everything, [was] exactly how it was in training—very, very positive, helping each other."
Two Crew SC players got rewarded for their hard work during January camp with their international debuts for the Red, White & Blue. Ensuing their first call-up to the USMNT’s annual January camp, Ethan Finlay and Tony Tchani earned their first caps at any level for the U.S.
“It was great,” Finlay said. “It was a lot of fun. It was a great experience, and more importantly, to come out with a win was a nice little bonus, so it was great.”
The 25-year-old was named to the starting XI, playing the first hour of the match. He flashed his speed with swift movements on and off the ball, taking quick touches in tight spaces. Contrary to his normal right winger role for Crew SC, where he mostly plays close to the touchline, Finlay played higher and tucked in, attacking more centrally.
“Jürgen had just said, 'Continue to do what you’ve been doing in training, when you get into the final third, try to make things happen,'” Finlay said. “Obviously getting comfortable with the relationships with the guys up front takes time and I think maybe you saw a little bit of that today, but I think it was a good first step forward.”
Heading into camp, Finlay made a point that fitness was a focus for him and one of his strong suits. Klinsmann has recognized that over the past three weeks and agreed with the attacker on his debut being a step in the right direction.
“Ethan really impressed in training,” he said. “He was all over the place, he had endless energy. Sometimes you actually have to slow him down and say, ‘Ethan, you don’t need to go 200 miles an hour in every moment,’ but it shows his character.
“He wants to really kind of give everything he has and wants to prove a point. He was a bit nervous too, here and there in certain moments, which is, again, normal because of your first cap; but it was definitely the right step into this group of guys.”
As Finlay gets his footing with the new group, he’ll adjust through repetition and training. With three shots taken in his debut, a promising start for the young energizer already has him thinking about his next opportunity.
“The biggest thing that I’ll take away from it is being more decisive and quicker,” he says. “The quicker you act, the better the team is able to move around, and it results obviously in goals and making things happen.”
Shortly after Finlay exited the pitch, teammate Tony Tchani subbed on for Jermaine Jones in the 71st minute. The center mid had a solid debut, marshaling the midfield, working back on defense and winning balls both on the ground and in the air.
The 26-year-old provided balance in the midfield, found space, distributed calculated passes and made his controlled, physical presence apparent. Following an overall a solid performance, Klinsmann said fighting for a spot with USMNT veterans Jermain Jones and captain Michael Bradley will be arduous for Tchani.
“Everybody in camp is really trying hard to prove a point and to belong in the national team program,” Klinsmann said. “Obviously with Tony you have a player that played tremendously last season at Columbus, and has a presence, he’s strong in the air, he’s physically strong, so he has his own way of playing it; but you see Jermaine and Michael kind of locked in in central midfield, so it’s very difficult for Tony to make a case and to get him also the minutes on the field.”
Crew SC’s third player currently with the USMNT is facing a similar quandary. Wil Trapp is also a central midfielder, and although he didn’t make an appearance in the friendly with Iceland, he did dress for the contest. At only 23-years-old, Trapp is experienced in the national team system having captained the U-23 team and having earned his first senior cap last January against Chile. Following the first of two friendlies, Klinsmann said individual performances from the younger guys is really encouraging.
“I think the whole group of the younger ones, most of them didn’t get on the field, but they’re with us the whole three weeks,” Klinsmann said. “They go out and train real quick, they go through that workload. I think for them it’s a huge step to kind of get adjusted to what the Jermaine Jones’, Michael Bradley’s and Jozy Altidore’s of the world know, live every day. I think eventually it will help them to grow and to mature.”
Finlay, Tchani and Trapp will all get the chance to earn their second cap for the USMNT on Friday against Canada. The match will also be played at StubHub Center with a scheduled kickoff time of 4:45 p.m. ET. and will be televised on FS1.
