Following the fallout of the disastrous early exit from the Copa América, the United States Men’s National Team opened the first international window of the post-Gregg Berhalter era with a 2-1 defeat to rivals Canada. The next match on the schedule is another friendly, this time against New Zealand with a chance to grab a victory under interim manager Mikey Varas. As the World Cup is expanding to 48 spots, the Oceanic opponent has the potential to be a regular entrant at the top global competition and continue to grow as a program. The fixture is set for TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, a 26,000-seat soccer-specific stadium with a recently installed Tahoma 31 Bermuda Grass surface that could cause “the ball to move quicker and less impeded.” This is the fourth all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT holding a 2-0-1 record and most recently playing to a 1-1 draw in October of 2016. Ranked 94th internationally by FIFA, New Zealand won the Oceania Football Confederation’s Men’s Nations Cup by topping Group A with wins over Solomon Islands (3-0) and Vanuatu (4-0) before rolling through the knockout stage with victories against Tahiti (5-0) and Vanuatu (3-0). During the current international window, the All Whites were defeated by Mexico (0-3). Darren Bazeley was appointed to the senior and Olympic manager roles in July of 2023 after serving as an interim and leading the U-20 squad. The federation praised him for “consistently delivering, receiving positive feedback in previous campaigns, and leading the team to positive results and performances against higher ranked sides.” The 51-year-old Englishman spent his playing career as a fullback, enjoying time on the books at Watford, Wolverhampton, Walsall, New Zealand Knights, and Waitakere United. He is known as a “player-first” leader who has managed to incorporate “the brilliant generation” of young talents with “some great old stalwarts.” Bazeley initially named a 21-player roster for the international window, and Logan Rogerson joined to the group later. Nine of the call-ups are based in the dual-national A-League, while nine are on the books at European clubs and three compete in Major League Soccer. Notable absences include Clayton Lewis, Cameron Howieson, and Callum McCowatt. Sam Sutton was added as a late replacement for Dalton Wilkins, who withdrew “with a minor injury.” Tyler Bindon and Sarpreet Singh exited due to medical issues, with Bill Tuiloma being brought into the squad.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Max Crocombe (Burton Albion), Oliver Sail (Perth Glory), Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC)
DEFENDERS (8): Tommy Smith (Auckland FC), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Liberato Cacace (Empoli), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix), Bill Tuiloma (Charlotte FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Elijah Just (St. Pölten), Matthew Garbett (NAC Breda), Marko Stamenić (Olympiacos), Joe Bell (Viking), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne)
FORWARDS (4): Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Waine (Mansfield Town), Logan Rogerson (Auckland FC)
Bazeley is typically an adherent to the 4-3-3 formation that utilizes a traditional midfield with a six, an eight, and a ten, “attempting to build possession” while also taking risks with a pacey front line. His goal is to put forward “a style of football that everyone wants to see” that can produce some dismal score lines but also lead to giant-killings from the energetic group. The wingers tend to cut inwardly by playing “more inside and higher,” with fullbacks relied upon to “provide the width” and sending in a flurry of crosses. The build-up involves the defenders maintaining possession before springing the attack with long balls to the outside, while midfielders will also embark on long dribbling runs through the middle when given an opportunity.
Projected New Zealand Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com)
New Zealand currently lacks experience at the goalkeeper position and will have to figure out a true number one, although Max Crocombe seems to have the inside track on the role. The 31-year-old Aucklander is coming off of a busy season with Burton Albion in League One, helping the Brewers to stave off relegation, earning Player of the Season, and maintaining his spot for the current campaign. Standing six-foot-four, he is “as proactive as possible” and “tries to come for balls over the top and in the air” while also “setting off attacks” with ambitious long-range distribution. His active style can sometimes lead to him being caught out of position, but his game features more than enough improvisation and athleticism to overcome any errors.
In July, Finn Surman moved from Wellington Phoenix to the Portland Timbers, a tall defender who “will force his body in between the ball and the attacker” before “quickly turning directions and playing to a teammate higher up the line.” The Olympian is dominant in aerial duels and competently handles opposing dribblers with a practiced ease that belies his young age, gliding around the field and timing his tackles well. Minnesota United’s Michael Boxall continues to hold down a regular starting spot for New Zealand, bringing his balanced profile as a “consummate professional” that focuses on prevention. The 35-year-old centre-back can be a dangerous target in the box, particularly on set pieces, and hit accurate long distribution when given the time to pick out a teammate. Another potential deeper option is Nando Pijnaker of Auckland FC, who overcame multiple rib fractures and provides a healthy mix of physical play and composure when building out of the back, starting counter-attacks with his deliveries. Standing at over six-foot-three, he is yet another imposing presence with a desire to make his mark on the match, bullying opponents and throwing himself into challenges.
Liberato Cacace is a versatile midfielder-defender with a balanced profile who is praised as “efficient in one-on-one situations” along with “strong dribbling, crossing, and chance creation” that have fueled his rise. The 23-year-old fullback can drive possession forward but also has a tendency for late runs that can result in him having open opportunities if teammates are able to find him with the right pass. On the other side of the formation is Wellington Phoenix’s Tim Payne, who can line up at almost any position but mainly deploys on the back line for New Zealand, registering “tough” challenges and hitting accurate long balls that drive the attack forward. When pushing into the final third, his shot is deadly, particularly when taking a touch toward the middle and enjoying the time to pick out a corner of the net. Fresh off of leading Red Star Belgrade to a domestic double, Marko Stamenić signed with Nottingham Forest and was immediately sent on loan to Olympiacos, bringing a rough-and-tumble nature to the engine room. The 22-year-old holding midfielder plays quickly after regaining possession, with his typical chain of events being a heavy tackle, a quick turn up the field, and a long pass. England-born Matthew Garbett competes with NAC Breda in the Eredivisie and was on consecutive Olympic rosters, providing two-way play along with passing connections throughout the formation. He is quick to join into the attack, using his long stride at six-foot-two to sprint forward and serve as a tricky dribbler and lynx-eyed creator in the final third. Alex Rufer is “an excellent six” for Wellington Phoenix who is expected to “prevent goals and keep the ball rolling in possession” with very little advanced impact. The Niche Cache praises him for “latching onto opposition midfielders and forwards and shutting down their space” and “hunting after the ball” with a proactive style. There could also be a spot for former University of Virginia Cavalier Joe Bell after starting in the first match, another defensive option with “very good technique and a very neat first touch.” His game includes the ability to take over with long runs out of the back and dynamic assists over the top, joining the attack during longer build-ups.
Attacker Ben Old recently made the jump from Wellington Phoenix to Saint-Étienne, having served as a “primary ball-progressor” in the A-League with “superb ball-carrying technique, speed, and technical capacity.” The 21-year-old from Auckland is an “excitement machine” who beats the opponent with all manner of moves and guile while also having a…
