John Brooks getting called into the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team might be viewed as a demotion by some observers, but he looked every bit capable of helping the senior side on Wednesday.
Under siege for the first hour of a 2-1 road loss to Brazil, the U.S. avoided being routed in the friendly thanks in large part to the steady play of Brooks. The 22-year-old Brooks not only impressed in his first game with the U.S. U-23s, but won SBI’s Man of the Match award with his strong performance at centerback.
Serving as the U.S. captain for head coach Andi Herzog, Brooks came up with a series of timely interventions against the talented Brazilians and won a number of his individual battles to keep the young Americans from conceding for as long as possible. The U.S. eventually surrendered a goal late in the first half on a play that saw Brooks and centerback partner Cameron Carter-Vickers beaten, but the former’s overall outing still caught the eye given how much pressure the Americans faced.
There were not too many other brights spots on a U.S. side that was largely lackluster, but some other players who made a case for the Man of the Match honors were Carter-Vickers and goal-scorer Jerome Kiesewetter.
What do you think of Brooks’ performance? Think he should be back with the senior side soon or is the U-23s a good level for him to stay at for now? What other U.S. U-23s impressed you?
Share your thoughts below.
