Building Out of the Back in Soccer

Here’s how you build out of the back in soccer. The United States men’s national soccer team strung 22 passes together, mostly in their defensive third against Brazil, before moving into the attack. The calmness the players showed on the ball is superb.

After eight or ten passes the Brazilian team even concedes and drops off. Realizing that their pressure has been broken.

Overall, this building out of the back by the United States team should give them confidence. While it was only a friendly match versus Brazil it is still Brazil.

A few things that stand out about this impressive display of passing out of the back by the United States. One is that it comes in the 70th minute, when they are surely tired. And two, it is against Brazil.

The Weston McKennie pass back to Tim Ream is probably the most risky and crucial. However, it was the right pass and the only one McKennie really had.

For the United States team, that is something they need to improve upon: finding a forwards’ feet with a long ball and having them hold the ball so the team can get in the attack. Of course this building out of the back works too! They just can’t always do it when they are under so much pressure.

Some commentors about the United States team building out of the back in the video below are saying they wish defender Tim Ream was younger! Remember, Pep Guardiola wished Ream was younger too, so he could sign him. For the U.S. team, and coach Greg Berhalter, it is something to think about since ream will be 38 when the 2026 World Cup comes around.

Nevertheless, it is the Tim Ream show in this building out of the back passing display. Just watch how many times Ream touches the soccer ball near his own goal and deftly gets out of pressure from some of the fastest players in world football.

Folarin Balogun plays a key part of this possession effort out of the back, too. Balogun shields the ball early on and then makes two passing exchanges to keep the soccer ball.

Another comment on the video said: Jogo Bonito. Which of course means beautiful football.