
<p>Gregg Berhalter’s first game back in charge of the USMNT was lackluster. It typified the style of game fans saw in his first cycle as US manager. As in so many of the games during his previous stint, the US got the win by a scoreline that was more flattering than the game suggested. The best thing that can be said is that they got a win and nobody was hurt. Hopefully, the story is the same for USMNT vs. Oman</p>



<p>USMNT vs. Oman sets up along the same lines as so many of the other games during Gregg Berhalter’s tenure. It’s a home game against a team that is not highly ranked. It is in a small, soccer-specific stadium that the US has played in several times in recent years. Saturday’s attendance against Uzbekistan stunk. Will that be the case against Oman? </p>



<h5>Recapping Uzbekistan</h5>



<p>The US performance against Uzbekistan <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/drab-usmnt-beat-uzbekistan-in-berhalter-return-20230910-WST-455221.html">was quite a drab affair</a>. The attendance was a paltry 15,569. That is the second-lowest crowd of the year. Perhaps the USMNT playing in St. Louis four games ago had an impact on that. Tim Weah put the US in front in the first five minutes. Then, nothing happened for about 80 minutes other than a few missed chances by the Uzbeks.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="USMNT vs. Uzbekistan: Highlights - September 9, 2023" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/raVSRfB1ulQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Ricardo Pepi continued the absolute tear that he has been on this year. In five US appearances in 2023, Pepi has five goals to go with the one goal in two appearances with his club, PSV Eindhoven. Christian Pulisic added a third from the penalty spot not long after. That was his 26th international goal, moving him into sixth place on the all-time USMNT scoring list. </p>



<h2>Turning that into a preview of the USA against Oman</h2>



<p>Much like the USMNT’s previous fixture, Uzbekistan, Oman does not figure to provide much of a preview for tougher opponents the USA may face down the road. Funnily enough, they are ranked one spot higher in the world than Uzbekistan at 73rd. </p>



<p>Oman has never qualified for the World Cup. Their best performance at the Asian Cup was a Round of 16 finish at the 2019 edition of the tournament. Their roster for this game is entirely domestic-based. Only their manager, Branko Ivankovic, seems to have experience outside of Omani soccer as he managed Iran at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.</p>



<p>The game against Oman will be the third time the USMNT plays at Allianz Field in St. Paul since it opened in 2019. First was a Gold Cup game against Guyana in 2019 and most recently just last year was a World Cup Qualifier in sub-freezing temperatures against Honduras. </p>



<p>Kickoff against Oman from Allianz Field in St. Paul is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 12. It will air on TNT in English as well as NBC Universo and Peacock in Spanish. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport</em></p>


USA vs Oman preview: Berhalter hunts second win in return

.Following a less than stellar 3-0 win over Uzbekistan on Saturday it's now time for a preview of the USA against Oman.


<p>The USMNT may have the ongoing Gold Cup, but it did announce friendlies against Oman and Uzbekistan during the September international window. Crucially, that is the time when Gregg Berhalter returns as head coach of the national team. Currently, BJ Callaghan is guiding the team through the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/gold-cup-tv-schedule/">Gold Cup</a>.</p>



<p>Under the temporary manager, the United States Men’s National Team won its second CONCACAF Nations League title. A 3-0 win over Mexico preceded a 2-0 win in the Final over Canada. However, this September’s FIFA Date has been penciled in as the time for Berhalter’s comeback.</p>



<h2>When and where will USMNT host Oman and Uzbekistan?</h2>



<p>The most recent round of home friendlies for the USMNT in September is close to confirmation. In that window, UEFA, CONMEBOL and CAF have competitive games. Therefore, it makes sense that the opponents come from Asia.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">September friendlies 🗓 <a href="https://twitter.com/JennyTaft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JennyTaft</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ByDougMcIntyre?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ByDougMcIntyre</a> break down the next set of matches that the USMNT set to announce for this upcoming fall! <a href="https://t.co/YcPMWdSkbq">pic.twitter.com/YcPMWdSkbq</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1674196804118671366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Michele Giannone of Univision revealed the games set for Sep. 9 and 12, respectively. The national teams of Uzbekistan and Oman travel to the United States to play friendlies on those dates, respectively. Giannone added that CITYPARK in St. Louis and Allianz Field in Minnesota will host the exhibition matches.</p>



<h5>More friendlies will come in October</h5>



<p>Eldor Shomurodov could pose the biggest threat to the American defense as he is the all-time leader in goals for Uzbekistan. He has 37 goals in 66 international appearances. On the current Oman roster, Khalid Al-Hajri has scored more than any other player with 18 goals in 45 appearances.</p>



<p>The current FIFA Men’s World Rankings place Uzbekistan at No. 74, only one spot behind Oman at No. 73. Overall, this would be the first time in either country’s history that they played against the USMNT.</p>



<p>Neither of the two nations has ever qualified for the World Cup, although they have been regulars in the Asian Cup. In 2011, Uzbekistan placed fourth in the Asian Cup. Then, in 2019, Oman advanced to the round of 16. Meanwhile, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-announces-fall-friendlies-against-former-world-cup-rivals-20230530-WST-435373.html">US men’s national soccer team’s October schedule</a> is also set. It faces Germany on Oct. 14 and Ghana three days later.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; Agencia-MexSport</em></p>


Gregg Berhalter will be back in charge of the USMNT for September friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman in St. Louis and St. Paul.

USA vs Oman preview: Berhalter hunts second win in return

Oman

USA vs Oman preview: Berhalter hunts second win in return

Friendlies

USMNT to play Oman, Uzbekistan in Berhalter’s first games back