EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- U.S. caretaker manager Dave Sarachan said to expect plenty of changes to his lineup for Tuesday's friendly against Peru. Among those is that Brad Guzan will start in goal.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, Sarachan declined to state exactly how many changes he would make from the team that fell 4-2 to Colombia last Thursday, only that it would be a "number of changes." But with Zack Steffen having left camp with right hamstring tightness, Guzan has been named to step in.
"We're working our way through this roster," Sarachan said. "The game against Colombia, for a friendly, was a high-tempo game. We had a number of guys that I think came through it OK, but it's taken a few extra days to really reassess where everybody is at.
"I was going into this game on Tuesday with the notion of making changes regardless, so we're still kind of working through what I believe is our first 11."
The U.S. will take on a Peru side fresh off its first World Cup appearance in 36 years and which just last week took apart Chile 3-0 in a friendly. The Peru roster also includes players currently playing with MLS clubs, including the Vancouver Whitecaps' Yordy Reyna, Orlando City midfielder Yoshi Yotun, Portland Timbers midfielder Andy Polo, Alexander Callens of New York City FC and Seattle Sounders' Raul Ruidiaz.
"They have a number of players from their World Cup roster here, so they do bring experience," said Sarachan. "As we've seen most recently against Chile, very technical, a lot of speed, quickness, again very similar to Colombia. So I think having played Colombia and going into this game, we learned a lot of things within our group that will apply in a similar way.
"Their scheme and their system might be slightly different, but in terms of their quality and technical speed, their ability to punish you if you make mistakes, is very similar to Colombia. We respect them."
Sarachan will be looking for an improved performance from his side on both sides of the ball. The left side of the U.S. defense was repeatedly penetrated against the Cafeteros as well as in transition.
Sarachan said the U.S. needs "a better understanding of covering, having a relationship with the player in front of you and behind you. I think it was not in sync the other night, and part of that is just getting to know one another, and communication is key. That's going to be important on both sides of the ball, making sure that it's not just one guy, we have a collective that's moving and covering in a good way."
The U.S. did show some good moments in attack against Colombia, especially early in the second half when it broke through for two goals. But Sarachan is keen to see his team be better in possession.
"I think the other night it was a combination of impatience and trying to make plays that weren't quite there, and turning the ball over," he said. "I'll reference a tennis phrase, there were a lot of unforced errors the other night, plays where guys were on the ball and just simply didn't connect a pass. That just has to be better."
While it is widely expected that someone else will be hired to take on the full-time managerial role with the U.S., Sarachan was asked about his future with the program. He responded by touting the work he has done after nearly a year at the helm.
"It's up to people who are in that position to make decisions on my future and the future of this position, to take into account the body of work and the process from where we started to where we're at," he said.
"I feel very good about the work we've done. Personally, I have the experience having been with U.S. Soccer in previous cycles, in 2002 when we were very successful, and through this process where I feel I have the right eye for what is needed as we move forward.
"I didn't take this with the idea of thinking, 'What's it going to be like in a year or two?' But now that a year is over, there's a body of work there that I feel very proud of."