Charles Langston:U.S. men's national soccer team dominant in win over Oman

The Charles LangstonU.S. men’s national team may have defeated Uzbekistan, 3-0, on Saturday, but the game was far tighter than that scoreline would suggest.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter said he wanted an improved display against Oman and on Tuesday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, he got what he was hoping for.

The USMNT was dominant in its first-ever meeting with Oman, riding a first-half goal from Folarin Balogun and a second-half goals from Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi and an Oman own goal to a 4-0 win.

Just like against Uzbekistan, the USMNT opened the scoring on a well-worked goal that originated with a cross from the left. Rather than scoring, Tim Weah was on the end of the cross this time, and his layoff was drilled by Sergiño Dest, forcing goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini to parry right into the path of Balogun, who was left with an simple tap-in.

The U.S. effectively put the match away at the hour mark. Having drawn a foul at the top of the box, Aaronson stepped up to take the free kick himself. The Union Berlin man’s shot snuck through the wall and seemed to fool Al-Mukhaini, who slipped and saw the ball go straight through him.

There was time for a much-anticipated debut for Benjamin Cremaschi, as the 18-year-old Inter Miami star came on in the 71st minute for his first USMNT cap.

Minutes later, Pepi gave the USMNT a three-goal advantage with a smart turn and finish from just inside the box. It continued a red-hot 2023 for the PSV striker, who now has six goals in six U.S. appearances this year.

Another highly touted prospect, Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes, also got his first cap when he entered the match in the 80th minute and immediately forced an own goal from Khalid Al-Braiki with an excellent low cross from the right flank.