Portland Timbers’ Jeremy Ebobisse earns his first cap and start for USMNT

The US Men’s National Team played their first international friendly with Greg Berhalter as coach on Sunday, and Timbers striker Jeremy Ebobisse earned a spot in the starting lineup. With Berhalter choosing the striker he was most familiar with — Gyasi Zardes of his former coaching job at Columbus Crew — Ebobisse started instead out of position at left wing.

In his 66 minutes on the field, Jeremy worked tirelessly up and down the field, drawing out defenders, or finding open space out wide where he could work the ball up-field or cross it into the box. He nearly earned an assist from one such ball he sent from near the touchline to the far side of the box and the leaping header of Zardes, but the shot was just off frame. Ebobisse’s passes were generally solid, and he closed down passing lanes and assisted in closing down attackers when needed.

Early in the game, he collided heads with a Panamanian player when jumping for a ball. Both underwent concussion protocol and were treated for bleeding head wounds. Even after reentering the game, Jeremy had to go back off twice to receive further treatment as the wound continued to bleed. Finally, a wide bandage was wrapped, headband-style, and he stayed on until his substitution in the 66th minute.

See the game? What did you think?