Skip to Main Content

USMNT vs. Oman score: USA cruise to 4-0 win with goals from Folarin Balogun, Brenden Aaronson and Ricardo Pepi

Getty Images

While it took a bit for the United States men's national team to get things going against Oman, they breezed past the opposition in a 4-0 win in Minnesota on Tuesday night. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring before Brenden Aaronson scored a direct free kick after the half. Ricardo Pepi scored his sixth goal in his last five appearances and then Kevin Paredes capped things off by forcing Oman into an own goal. 

The first half had the same result as the Uzbekistan friendly, but the difference was that the USMNT were in control. From Weston McKennie pinging passes from deep to Malik Tillman and also looking good in an advanced role, the team did exactly what they should versus a lesser side. They increased the pressure in the second half as Berhalerr introduced Benjamin Cremaschi for his national team debut, as the 18-year-old striker has had quite a few months to remember.

From big contributions to Inter Miami at the Leagues Cup and becoming teammates with Lionel Messi, Creamaschi has received his first national team cap. Eligible to represent Argentina, his future is up in the air, but this is a promising start. Kris Lund also got his full debut and was consistently the furthest man forward down the left flank. A real backup for Antonee Robinson is something that the team has been searching for, and Lund has the potential to provide that security.

As always, there is room for improvement as the USMNT should've finished more of their chances in the first half, but when a team scores four goals, it's a good game.

Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long

Updates
(20)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

A comprehensive victory

When Pepi and Balogun find the back of the net and Gregg Berhalter is able to cap two new players in Kevin Paredes and Benjamin Cremaschi it's only a good night but it's one that becomes better when the team is able to score four goals while only allowing their opposition to have one shot on target during the entire game.

September 13, 2023, 2:31 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 10:31 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USMNT 4, Oman 0

Paredes' cross on his debut was turned in for a USMNT own goal. Talk about an instant impact for the young defender.

September 13, 2023, 2:19 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 10:19 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USMNT 3, Oman 0

RICARDO PEPI WILL NOT STOP SCORING. It doesn't matter how many minutes he plays, he is able to fire his chances in and past the keeper. That was following a strong assist from Jones as well.

September 13, 2023, 2:17 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 10:17 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

DeJuan Jones also gets ready to enter

Berhalter is getting as many fresh legs out there as possible and it's paying off as the USMNT are getting shots on target. Dest will exit for Jones.

September 13, 2023, 2:13 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 10:13 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tillman and Richards will exit

Benjamin Cremaschi is getting ready for his USMNT debut at only 18. Mark McKenzie will also enter during the next change as well. 

September 13, 2023, 2:07 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 10:07 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USMNT 2, Oman 0

It's a direct free kick from Brenden Aaronson to double the lead for the USMNT. It was a ball hit just well enough to get through as Oman's wall broke down and gave the keeper trouble.

September 13, 2023, 1:58 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 9:58 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Berhalter calls to up the tempo

The USMNT certainly want another goal and Pepi almost delivered firing Aaronson's corner kick into the side netting. They're getting closer but have yet to grab their breakthrough. Balogun and Pulisic were replaced by Pepi and Aaronson at the half.

September 13, 2023, 1:52 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 9:52 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

The second half is starting how the first ended

The USMNT are again pushing the pace as Aaronson played in Tim Weah but Oman's keeper came out to claim it before the chance could turn into the second goal that is coming.

September 13, 2023, 1:46 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 9:46 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tillman wins another corner

It was an excellent strike but Oman's defense has been in the right positions more often than not during the early going of this match. The USMNT are running out of time to get another goal before the half but there has been a marked improvement form their match against Uzbekistan.

September 13, 2023, 1:22 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 9:22 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Oman can't get a foot in

The USMNT are holding close to 70 percent of possession already putting three shots on target. They'd love another goal before the half but this is the kind of dominant performance that the team has been searching for. Weston McKennie is having an excellent day in midfield with every pass that he plays finding a free runner for the USMNT that can make things happen.

September 13, 2023, 1:12 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 9:12 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Weah has the ball in the back of the net 

But it won't count! It seems like there was a foul in the build up as the USMNT are knocking the ball around and having fun out there in Minnesota. There's a clear difference in attack with Lund allowing Pulisic to float centrally. 

September 13, 2023, 12:57 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:57 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USMNT 1, Oman 0

There goes Balogun as the USMNT has opened the scoring as McKennie did an excellent job to keep a play around before Dest fired a shot on target. From there, Balogun did what strikers do and was in the right place to turn it into a goal.

September 13, 2023, 12:53 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:53 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

The USMNT wins a corner

It's Lund who is the furthest man forward as Oman are forced to clear the ball out of danger as again the USMNT are creating dangerous chance after dangerous chance.

September 13, 2023, 12:50 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:50 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Pushing the pace 

Right out of the gate the USMNT are controlling possession with Puisic creating chances from the wing. It could result in an early goal if they can keep it up.

September 13, 2023, 12:46 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:46 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

The teams are out 

Anthems are being performed and it's just about time to get underway in Minnesota.

September 13, 2023, 12:34 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:34 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USMNT storylines

Despite the room for improvement, Berhalter plans to start a similar lineup against Oman to the one that played against Uzbekistan. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, though, departed camp to join his wife before they welcome their second child, which means his backup for club and country Ethan Horvath will earn the start against Oman.

Another spot that could be up for grabs? Center forward. Folarin Balogun earned the start against Uzbekistan but came off at halftime for Ricardo Pepi, and neither has yet to truly cement themselves as the first choice in that position. Balogun's substitution could be down to a less-than-ideal preseason, when he was in and out of Arsenal's team before he joined AS Monaco just before the transfer window closed. Berhalter complimented Pepi's growth in the last year, though, indicating he also has a shot at eventually earning a starting spot.

September 13, 2023, 12:12 AM
Sep. 12, 2023, 8:12 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Oman starting XI

It's a slightly rotated side from Oman but one that will look to hold their own out of the gates.

Oman Starters: 1-Ibrahim Almukhaini, 2-Tamim Albalushi, 6-Ahmed Alkhamisi, 7-Issam Alsabhi, 8-Zahir Alaghbari, 10-Jameel Alyahmadi, 11-Abdullah Fawaz, 12-Muhsen Alghassani, 14-Ahmed Alkaabi, 16-Khalid Alraiki, 23-Harib Alsaadi (Capt.)

Available Subs: 18-Fayiz Alrushaidi, 22-Ahmed Alrawahi, 3-Fahmi Dorbin, 4-Ali Alhanaei, 5-Juma Alhabsi, 13-Ahmed Almatrushi, 15-Musaab Almamari, 17-Ahmed Aladawi, 19-Mahmood Almushaifri, 21-Abdulrahman Almushaifri, 24-Mohammed Alamri

Head coach: Branko Ivankovic    

September 12, 2023, 11:57 PM
Sep. 12, 2023, 7:57 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

An attacking lineup from Berhalter


USA starters: 1-Ethan Horvath, 2-Sergiño Dest, 4-Chris Richards, 6-Yunus Musah, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic (Capt.), 12-Miles Robinson, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun, 21-Tim Weah, 23-Kris Lund

Available Subs: 18-Drake Callender, 3-Mark McKenzie, 5-Antonee Robinson, 7-Cade Cowell, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 13-Tim Ream, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Benja Cremaschi, 16-Tanner Tessmann, 19-DeJuan Jones, 22-Kevin Paredes

September 12, 2023, 11:42 PM
Sep. 12, 2023, 7:42 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

How to watch

  • Date: Tuesday, Sept. 12 | Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Allianz Field -- Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • TV: TNT | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
September 12, 2023, 11:41 PM
Sep. 12, 2023, 7:41 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Hello and welcome

We've got another USMNT friendly tonight as they host Oman in Minnesota. Berhalter is running out an attacking lineup with a few key changes. Luca De La Torre is only fit enough for the bench so Malik Tillman will start in midfield while Miles Robinson, Ethan Horvath, and Kris Lund also enter the fray. It's a strong lineup but this has been a team that doesn't get off to fast starts. Can that change tonight?

September 12, 2023, 11:40 PM
Sep. 12, 2023, 7:40 pm EDT