What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

US Men's National Team (13 Viewers)

AAABatteries said:
I’m obviously joking but if I’m being honest I think this is the most talent we’ve ever had and maybe easily.  Not sure what those who have followed it closer than me for decades thinks but I just feel like we have super depth with several guys that if they develop can be outstanding.  World class?  Maybe not but realistically we could go the rest of WCQ without Pulisic and still finish top of the qualifying.  And I don’t think we have any obvious holes like we seemed to always have in previous years.  
Click to expand...
I know you're kidding, I'm being facetious to an extent.  There's obviously plenty of talent in this team.  But I'm not satisfied with being a "good CONCACAF team".  I know, the US isn't a World Cup contender.  But I have high expectations.  Was a nice win today; I'm not complaining about 8 points from 4 matches.  Can only play who they put in front of you.

 
How many CONCACAF sides can bring on players like Weah to cause havoc for 20 minutes?

Talent?

CP, Dest, Gio, Weah, Musah, Snacks, Adams, the Robinson Bros, Pepi, Aaronson

 
Really hoping the experience of going down to El Salvador pays dividends this Sunday.

We looked shell shocked at El Salvador.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Consider this for depth. 

The US won 2 finals against Mexico this summer with almost entirely different players in the final.

And in neither final did Zimmerman, LDLT, Musah and Pepi play even a minute.

 
QuizGuy66 said:
El Savador messing with the standings turning into a boat race with that win

-QG
Click to expand...
For all the excitement about the US win...

US- 8pts

Mex- 8

Can- 6

Pan- 5

El S- 5

CR- 3

Hon- 3

Jam- 1

The US plays Pan next. And Mex, Can and El Sal all have winnable games against teams lower in the standings than them. If Pan and the rest win, the US will be in a 3 way logjam in 3rd on 8 pts.

Crucial to get a point at least against an angry Panama team coming off a tough loss.

 
Pepi and Zardes are the first-choice strikers going forward I think.  May be awhile before we see Sarge and Pefok again barring injury.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Pepi and Zardes are the first-choice strikers going forward I think.  May be awhile before we see Sarge and Pefok again barring injury.
Click to expand...
without a doubt.

the real question is which of Prefok or Sarge is third choice? I lean Prefok for his recent record of scoring goals outweighing Sarge's intangibles which haven't been scoring goals.

eta: put another way- coming off the bench, which guy is going to get you a goal if you need it? Prefok. I could see putting Sarge in to protect a lead.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
WC 23 Today (out):

  • Pepi, Zardes (Sarge, Pefok)
  • Pulisic, Aaronson (Hoppe, Konrad)
  • Reyna, Weah (Arriola)
  • McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Busio, (LdLT, Roldan)
  • Adams, Acosta (Sands)
  • Robinson, Bello, (Vines)
  • Dest, Yedlin (Moore)
  • Brooks, Richards, Robinson, Zimmerman (Ream, McKenzie)
  • Turner, Steffan, ??
LdLT, Vines and McKenzie probably the "outsiders" with the best chance of making the trip to the Middle East next year.  Plus probably someone who's not even on our radar today.

Hoppe could be both the 3rd choice #9 and the 3rd choice right wing, and not make it.  He'd probably have to bump Zardes, but he's not getting minutes in that role.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lots of people in this thread more knowledgeable than me,  but thinking about last night's game and going back to the Gold Cup, we still haven't really seen the US be able to break a defense down that is set and bunkered.  Oh the other hand, we seemingly have a ton of guys with the speed of thought and footspeed to create absolute havoc when the defense has lost it's shape or isn't yet set (e.g., after a midfield turnover).  I hope GGG and team continue to harass opponents the way Arriola and Aaronson did last night, as I think it creates a lot of good opportunities with this bunch.

 
And what's going on with Cannon? Andy's pointed it out recently... but that's a guy who seemed primed to be in contention to start who is now not even dressing for his club team (Boavista). 

 
El Floppo said:
And what's going on with Cannon? Andy's pointed it out recently... but that's a guy who seemed primed to be in contention to start who is now not even dressing for his club team (Boavista). 
Click to expand...
That's entirely on Boavista.  They never paid the promised transfer funds so he's in complete limbo.  There are other European teams interested, but nobody knows who would get paid.

 
Dr_Zaius said:
Lots of people in this thread more knowledgeable than me,  but thinking about last night's game and going back to the Gold Cup, we still haven't really seen the US be able to break a defense down that is set and bunkered.  Oh the other hand, we seemingly have a ton of guys with the speed of thought and footspeed to create absolute havoc when the defense has lost it's shape or isn't yet set (e.g., after a midfield turnover).  I hope GGG and team continue to harass opponents the way Arriola and Aaronson did last night, as I think it creates a lot of good opportunities with this bunch.
Click to expand...
I feel like we have the players needed to break down a low block- ability to beat the first man off the dribble, run or pass and force that block to readjust. Passing the ball around- even quickly- isn't going to do it if there isn't at least the threat of beating a guy off the dribble. CP, Gio, Dest, Musah, Konrad, Aaronson all are guys with that ability... but other than CP, we're not seeing enough of it when the opportunity is there. 

Even last night- Nips had a few opportunities where he was one on one in the attacking third and in space (no 2nd defender close enough to double him), but chose the safe pass instead. Aaronson's touch looked off for him, but he was at least giving it a go at times. It's a bigger ask for Dest- who might be the best guy on the squad at it- but his losing the ball puts the US in trouble (unless a MF is smartly covering for him).

But yeah- I love the pressure and spacing they showed last night with Nips and Aaronson hounding the back line and MF not allowing the easy pass through that initial line. They were moving a lot better as a unit, without allowing big gaps between their lines or players...on either side of the ball.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
That's entirely on Boavista.  They never paid the promised transfer funds so he's in complete limbo.  There are other European teams interested, but nobody knows who would get paid.
Click to expand...
just googled... this is all I could find at a quickish glance (from Mid Sept)-

Reggie Cannon sustained an injury while on international duty early last month and has been out since then. The American is the only absentee for Boavista ahead of their game against Benfica.

 
El Floppo said:
just googled... this is all I could find at a quickish glance (from Mid Sept)-

Reggie Cannon sustained an injury while on international duty early last month and has been out since then. The American is the only absentee for Boavista ahead of their game against Benfica.
Click to expand...
He tweeted something this week that seemed to infer something was going to get sorted out for the winter break.  

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
If Pulisic comes back and the ball stops zipping around the pitch again... :popcorn:  
Click to expand...


I was going to make a comment about with how well Aaronson has done, with how Weah looked last night and with how injury prone CP is that could we possibly be in a situation where CP isn't an auto-start?  That's going too far for me and honestly I'm hoping having other players step-up means that CP will be freed up to just be himself.  But can the dude stay healthy?

 
AAABatteries said:
I was going to make a comment about with how well Aaronson has done, with how Weah looked last night and with how injury prone CP is that could we possibly be in a situation where CP isn't an auto-start?  That's going too far for me and honestly I'm hoping having other players step-up means that CP will be freed up to just be himself.  But can the dude stay healthy?
Click to expand...
I think his chances of getting hurt go down significantly the more dangerous players you surround him with.  It's why I was hoping (apparently in vain) that we would see him with the full strength side last window.  If you have people like Aaronson, Dest, Reyna, and Pepi that the defense has to account for, it becomes much more difficult to just surround CP and hack him to the ground.

 
Dr_Zaius said:
Lots of people in this thread more knowledgeable than me,  but thinking about last night's game and going back to the Gold Cup, we still haven't really seen the US be able to break a defense down that is set and bunkered.  Oh the other hand, we seemingly have a ton of guys with the speed of thought and footspeed to create absolute havoc when the defense has lost it's shape or isn't yet set (e.g., after a midfield turnover).  I hope GGG and team continue to harass opponents the way Arriola and Aaronson did last night, as I think it creates a lot of good opportunities with this bunch.
Click to expand...
I know what you're getting at and agree they need to do it more regularly, but the first goal last night doesn't count?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny_89ypU5OY

Also note Nips' run, dragging Lawrence allowing Musa to drive deep.

 
AAABatteries said:
I was going to make a comment about with how well Aaronson has done, with how Weah looked last night and with how injury prone CP is that could we possibly be in a situation where CP isn't an auto-start?  That's going too far for me and honestly I'm hoping having other players step-up means that CP will be freed up to just be himself.  But can the dude stay healthy?
Click to expand...


It's not just the injury risk, IMO.  There's no doubt that CP and Gio are the two most talented guys on the team.  Full stop.  But, with that said, neither are guys who really help in the press.  Playing them both on the wings comes at a real cost to how Gregg kind of wants to play.  And moving Gio to a 10 spot would come at the cost of the field coverage and ball winning we all enjoyed seeing out of midfield last night.   Field coverage and ball winning that is probably essential in order to let Dest be at his best as an attacking, overlapping FB.  

Putting out the best XI is much harder than just picking the XI most talented players.  It's picking players that compliment each other (and to be fair, it's figuring out the best way to play so that you can put as many of your difference makers out there as possible).  

When they're healthy, I'm sure Gio and CP will be in the starting XI.  But Aaronson, at least, has shown enough that you then have to consider whether his combination of creativity and hard work on a wing, might mean moving Gio into midfield and maybe sacrificing a McKennie or Musah at times.  It's a good problem to have.  Good teams face those problems all the time.  And it's doubly good to have that type of problem in a short turnaround qualifying tournament like this.    

 
Dr_Zaius said:
I think his chances of getting hurt go down significantly the more dangerous players you surround him with.  It's why I was hoping (apparently in vain) that we would see him with the full strength side last window.  If you have people like Aaronson, Dest, Reyna, and Pepi that the defense has to account for, it becomes much more difficult to just surround CP and hack him to the ground.
Click to expand...


Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
It's not just the injury risk, IMO.  There's no doubt that CP and Gio are the two most talented guys on the team.  Full stop.  But, with that said, neither are guys who really help in the press.  Playing them both on the wings comes at a real cost to how Gregg kind of wants to play.  And moving Gio to a 10 spot would come at the cost of the field coverage and ball winning we all enjoyed seeing out of midfield last night.   Field coverage and ball winning that is probably essential in order to let Dest be at his best as an attacking, overlapping FB.  

Putting out the best XI is much harder than just picking the XI most talented players.  It's picking players that compliment each other (and to be fair, it's figuring out the best way to play so that you can put as many of your difference makers out there as possible).  

When they're healthy, I'm sure Gio and CP will be in the starting XI.  But Aaronson, at least, has shown enough that you then have to consider whether his combination of creativity and hard work on a wing, might mean moving Gio into midfield and maybe sacrificing a McKennie or Musah at times.  It's a good problem to have.  Good teams face those problems all the time.  And it's doubly good to have that type of problem in a short turnaround qualifying tournament like this.    
Click to expand...


yeah... last night, I keep harping on how good the shape looked. SwagAdaMusah did a great job with their movement and coverage of man, space and passing lanes keeping good spacing between the forwards and back line. Pepi's work up top and central kept defenders (and MFs covering passing lanes) honest, but I think what really finalized everything was the immense work Aaronson and Nips did from the wings. It's not just about running around and working hard- they were smartly switching side to side, knowing when and where to press the man or cover space, and when to attack the space off the ball going forward, while maintaining contact with their teammates. 

Like Scooby, I don't see Gio and CP putting in that kind of shift in terms of relentlessly pressing and switching field. I don't know that we want them to, tbh. But I want the US to have those guys on the field AND maintain the team shape they showed last night. So maybe that happens because of SwagAdaMusah's work in the MF and Pepi's work up top... dunno. Or maybe they need to do more of the dirty work Aaronson and Nips did... dunno. 

 
Wow there is a LOT of love in here for American Lingard.  

But I have to say the lineup was a good one and a great place to start.  Add in Reyna and Pulisic and there is a lot to like. Pepi looks the part as well.  Hopefully he keeps it going and owns the 9. 

Would love to see Weah get a run in the team.  He looked strong and fast.

Was nice to see two CBs stay positionally sound, not run up the field to dive in and get beat in behind.  If Richards is as good or better than Zim and Robinson, then let us never speak of Brooks as the auto choice again....

 
Its a nice problem to have when you have too much talent to fit.  But it also opens up tactical possibilities and depth to cover injuries, suspensions, stupidity... And changes in how you want to attack each opponent.

Reyna and CP seem to be wide guys that like to come inside, not run in behind or keep width.  Playing them both in MF in a 4-3-3 might be an option but you then you sit Musah/McKinnie.  Playing them wide with Pepi up top means you arent running in behind and your width becomes an issue.  Brings a lot more people central clogging the area. 

Where we missed CP last night was a lack of people running at the def.  Not until Musah in the 2nd half did anyone really drive into space and attack.  Lack of turning and running at goal.  CP does that.

I guess it depends on how you are looking to play, style/tactics/etc.

 
and Weah. wow- yeah, he looked great- albeit in clean-up duty. so direct, powerful and quick.

what I've seen of him over the years, he's also got decent (not CP, Dest, Gio level) skills to go with the physical bonafides. For me, it's always been about seeing how consistent he can be as a pro with his decision making across the spectrum- timing, passing, runs, cover, etc. and his career trajectory so far hasn't reinforced that yet- bouncing around team to team and getting poorly timed injuries just as he seems to be settling into a role.

The little I've watched of him at Lille, he's looked decent to great at times, but still bouncing between the two. I've been genuinely impressed with what I've seen from him defensively lately... and that's a big thing for me. I've mentioned repeatedly that Nips floor is higher, but ceiling lower than Weah... and while that might still be the case, I think Weah's defensive work has raised his floor considerably in a GGG system, and his ceiling is so far beyond Nips that we need to see him in there for more than mop-up duties. With Nips putting in an insanely taxing 90, I'm fully expecting and hoping to see Weah get the start in Panama.

 
B Maverick said:
Its a nice problem to have when you have too much talent to fit.  But it also opens up tactical possibilities and depth to cover injuries, suspensions, stupidity... And changes in how you want to attack each opponent.

Reyna and CP seem to be wide guys that like to come inside, not run in behind or keep width.  Playing them both in MF in a 4-3-3 might be an option but you then you sit Musah/McKinnie.  Playing them wide with Pepi up top means you arent running in behind and your width becomes an issue.  Brings a lot more people central clogging the area. 

Where we missed CP last night was a lack of people running at the def.  Not until Musah in the 2nd half did anyone really drive into space and attack.  Lack of turning and running at goal.  CP does that.

I guess it depends on how you are looking to play, style/tactics/etc.
Click to expand...


lots of great stuff in there!

I think your points about CP and Gio as wingers (which is where GGG has been playing them) are dead on. So far, at least, the US has lacked both width or diagonal play behind the defense with those two on the field. 

I know CP can do both, as he's shown at Chelsea. Gio also has played more of a chalk-hugging role at Dort before, but not sure he's getting in behind the defense. 

With Swag, Adams and Musah in the MF, the US needs somebody else to provide the width or overlap. Swag and Musah both did admirably but more pinched. But I'm hoping their play in the MF and ability to find the forwards can allow CP and Gio to play more direct, and wider and not have to pinch in or back into the MF as much as they have been with guys like Acosta and Lletget in the MF. 

 
gianmarco said:
All this analysis is great and all, but that Nips guy.... :shakeshead:
Click to expand...
It's possible to argue he was better than every Jamaican on the field last night and the worst US starter last night.  What that gets you I don't know.  Nips is what he is which is a top tier CONCACAF wing.  

As others have said it was a pretty pedestrian (given there should have been 2 reds, but I digress) first half and then we simply overran them with 3 outside backs getting much more into the action (Pepi alluded to this halftime tactical switch in his postgame comments...which he probably shouldn't have).   

I don't really know what else there is to really say besides we really should have had 3-4 goals in total.  Everyone did their jobs and it was just a professional performance from a team that was markedly better at every position than the other.  

 
Brian Sciaretta

@BrianSciaretta

The #USMNT out-dueled Jamaica by a huge margin. Of the 92 attempts, the U.S. won 63 and Jamaica won only 29. the three standouts were Walker Zimmerman who won 12/13 attempts, Tyler Adams who won 12/14, and Sergino Dest who won 9/12

 
Sammy3469 said:
It's possible to argue he was better than every Jamaican on the field last night and the worst US starter last night.  What that gets you I don't know.  Nips is what he is which is a top tier CONCACAF wing.  

As others have said it was a pretty pedestrian (given there should have been 2 reds, but I digress) first half and then we simply overran them with 3 outside backs getting much more into the action (Pepi alluded to this halftime tactical switch in his postgame comments...which he probably shouldn't have).   

I don't really know what else there is to really say besides we really should have had 3-4 goals in total.  Everyone did their jobs and it was just a professional performance from a team that was markedly better at every position than the other.  
Click to expand...
:goodposting:  

You know what you are going to get with Nips and guys like Lleget and Roldan.  They put in a shift, give you all they got, and work their arses off.  What they do not give is anything consistently special or something that makes you say thats a guy I want in my everyday starting lineup.  And there is nothing wrong with that on occasion.  And sometimes you need that one player to do that type of work so your higher ceiling guys don't have to.

Also doesn't mean us fans can't want more, esp with better players showing they can put in that effort and give you more (Weah and Hoppe come to mind)

 
Sammy3469 said:
It's possible to argue he was better than every Jamaican on the field last night and the worst US starter last night.  What that gets you I don't know.  Nips is what he is which is a top tier CONCACAF wing.  

As others have said it was a pretty pedestrian (given there should have been 2 reds, but I digress) first half and then we simply overran them with 3 outside backs getting much more into the action (Pepi alluded to this halftime tactical switch in his postgame comments...which he probably shouldn't have).   

I don't really know what else there is to really say besides we really should have had 3-4 goals in total.  Everyone did their jobs and it was just a professional performance from a team that was markedly better at every position than the other.  
Click to expand...
I was trying to make a joke.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
WC 23 Today (out):

  • Pepi, Zardes (Sarge, Pefok)
  • Pulisic, Aaronson (Hoppe, Konrad)
  • Reyna, Weah (Arriola)
  • McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Busio, (LdLT, Roldan)
  • Adams, Acosta (Sands)
  • Robinson, Bello, (Vines)
  • Dest, Yedlin (Moore)
  • Brooks, Richards, Robinson, Zimmerman (Ream, McKenzie)
  • Turner, Steffan, ??
LdLT, Vines and McKenzie probably the "outsiders" with the best chance of making the trip to the Middle East next year.  Plus probably someone who's not even on our radar today.

Hoppe could be both the 3rd choice #9 and the 3rd choice right wing, and not make it.  He'd probably have to bump Zardes, but he's not getting minutes in that role.
Click to expand...
I'd probably add Scally to the list of outsiders.

Also I don't think Busio would be in the 23 right now. He might be by next year but we've had 4 qualifiers to this point and he hasn't played a minute and I'd think Berhalter would go with someone more experienced for a borderline spot. I'm not sure there is an obvious answer but Roldan has been called twice now. 

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

snogger
I'm starting a new job and looking for insight on leading a team
Replies
37
Views
880
Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott
titusbramble
  • Poll Poll
2026 FIFA World Cup megathread
2 3 4
Replies
159
Views
2K
El Floppo
El Floppo
NewlyRetired
2024 Summer of Soccer - Euro's, Copa America, Olympics, WCQing
94 95 96
Replies
5K
Views
117K
El Floppo
El Floppo

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 6 (members: 1, guests: 5)
Back
Top