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US Men's National Team (2 Viewers)

Brooks looks hurt or dead tired. Should have subbed him off for Beas and slid Ream over to CB.

Eta: Didn't see it was Gonzo off. Good t see Ream get some CB in

 
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I used to think that JK not being a slave to club form made some sense.

But I am starting to feel he is going too far the other way and makiing club form one of the lowest priorities for getting picked for the national team.

There are not that many countries in the world where the coach states unequivacally how important a tournament is, the tournament being at home and the team being a favorite to win it and then keep his job after how the team played through these 5 games.

The US had one good game and that was almost useless to judge because of the Cuba mess.

 
JK's roster selection leaves a lot to be desired IMO. But his long term vision for the program is a huge positive in his favor.

If they were actually going to fire him, who would the candidates be?

 
TLEF316 said:
JK's roster selection leaves a lot to be desired IMO. But his long term vision for the program is a huge positive in his favor.

If they were actually going to fire him, who would the candidates be?
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I know this would never fly but I would be happy if he stayed on as technical director and guided the whole program even if we had to get another coach.

There would be no shortage of candidates for a head coach. US Soccer will pay well and the team is as much a lock to qualify for the WC as pretty much any team in the world due to our standing in CONCACAF.

This is all fantasy talk though because I don't see Sunil pulling the trigger until it is probably too late. I guess if the US emerge with something like 1 point from the first two qualifying games, maybe then we would see some movement.

 
I rather like the mentality that JK had brought. Plus, he's unearthed and signed some quality dual nationals.

That said, his approach too this tournament was all wrong. Either you bring in and start the best in the pool, or you focus on guys that are likely to play in WC2018, but need seasoning. And if you opt for the latter, you tell people you are doing so, not telling the world that this is a must win tournament and then starting second tier talent.

 
The Z Machine said:
Plus, he's unearthed and signed some quality dual nationals.
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I think it has been a mixed bag myself and you also have to think for every dual national he tries, there is a worthy American born and bred kid that is being ignored.

* Brooks and Bacon look like they have a chance to be decent but neither are likely to be great (relative to other US players).

* Chandler has been an abject failure IMO

* None of the Mexican dual nationals are even in the same universe as a game changer at this point

* It is too early to tell with Green but the signs are not good. He has to get his club situation sorted quickly.

* I like Williams but JK himself does not seem to be that enthralled with him.

* Fab is probably the best of the group and really improves on what we have because of his versitility, but even he does not come all that close to a Donovan, Dempsey, Pope, Reyna level player.

* Zelalem looked decent at the WC, but I think we all saw both his positives and obvious draw backs. CCV is probably the best dual prospect we have in the youth system and I think we are all excited to him play.

But are these players that JK has brought really that much better than Earnie Stewart, Jermaine Jones, Mix, Thomas Dooley, Roy Wegerle, Hugo Perez and a host of other dual nationals other US coaches have brought into the program over the years? I don't think the current quality is anything special compared to what past coaches have used.

 
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watched it this morning... in double speed, once I saw that the US couldn't make a useful pass/cross into the box to save their lives.

I was going to start reviewing just now... but #### it. team/game wasn't worth it.

 
NewlyRetired said:
* Fab is probably the best of the group and really improves on what we have because of his versitility, but even he does not come all that close to a Donovan, Dempsey, Pope, Reyna level player.
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Agree with everything in your post (and most of the bolded bits in the JK evaluation you posted yesterday), except this. I think Fab's in that class -- one of the best players we've ever had.

Also, would most people put Eddie Pope on that list? I loved the guy and saw him week in and week out for DC, but I'm not sure his name would have come up for me. Nice surprise if he's that highly considered!

 
wdcrob said:
NewlyRetired said:
* Fab is probably the best of the group and really improves on what we have because of his versitility, but even he does not come all that close to a Donovan, Dempsey, Pope, Reyna level player.
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Agree with everything in your post (and most of the bolded bits in the JK evaluation you posted yesterday), except this. I think Fab's in that class -- one of the best players we've ever had.

Also, would most people put Eddie Pope on that list? I loved the guy and saw him week in and week out for DC, but I'm not sure his name would have come up for me. Nice surprise if he's that highly considered!
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I wanted to include both offensive and defensive players. I think Pope is the best defender the US has developed.

 
Capella said:
First WCQ home game is November at.....Busch Stadium?

Didn't have that one in my pool.
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While not ideal, it does have some good points

* It returns US Soccer to kind of its spiritual home. Back when no one cared about soccer, St Louis did, and the US used to play in that city a lot in the 80's.

* The stadium has held at least 3 soccer games that I know of, one of which broke the stadium record for attendance for any event (Man City vs Chelsea)

* It has a grass surface. The infield will still need to be covered but at least most of the field should be excellent. If the Cardinals make the world series, they might be cutting it close to get the sod to take in time.

 
Yedlin has been named to Spurs squad for the MLS All-Star game. He is listed as a defender though. I expect that he will probably get a short run out in the 2nd half - but probably as a winger.

ETA - CCV played in a U21 tournament in France this weekend, and is not part of the squad. He did, however, manage to miss another PK in a shoot-out...

 
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So if we're tracking club form, Mix came on late for NYCFC and got a late poacher goal on a sweet counter attack to see the 5-3 win.

Speaking of Mix, I really wish JK wouldn't play him as a #6. He's much better at all three other midfield positions. Its time to get Kitchen in with the big boys at #6 and let Mix play somewhere else in the midfield.

 
Poke_4_Life said:
So if we're tracking club form, Mix came on late for NYCFC and got a late poacher goal on a sweet counter attack to see the 5-3 win.

Speaking of Mix, I really wish JK wouldn't play him as a #6. He's much better at all three other midfield positions. Its time to get Kitchen in with the big boys at #6 and let Mix play somewhere else in the midfield.
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Another choice would be to put Bradley at the 6. Bradley is too inconsistent when in an advanced position and coughs up the ball too frequently.

Mix is a more natural offensive player but probably not good enough to run the show in the middle. The obvious show runner in Benny JK does not like so we may be stuck with Bradley and take the good with the bad.

JK loves to use players in ways they are not used in their club team. Sometimes it works out and sometimes not.

 
NewlyRetired said:
Capella said:
First WCQ home game is November at.....Busch Stadium?

Didn't have that one in my pool.
Click to expand...
While not ideal, it does have some good points* It returns US Soccer to kind of its spiritual home. Back when no one cared about soccer, St Louis did, and the US used to play in that city a lot in the 80's.

* The stadium has held at least 3 soccer games that I know of, one of which broke the stadium record for attendance for any event (Man City vs Chelsea)

* It has a grass surface. The infield will still need to be covered but at least most of the field should be excellent. If the Cardinals make the world series, they might be cutting it close to get the sod to take in time.
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Just seeing this.

Barring something crazy, I will be at this game. If anyone else plans on attending, let me know.

I was at the Chelsea\Man City game and the atmosphere was amazing. And the venue definitely works.

 
So it looks like the playoff game is at the Rose Bowl. Bummer. I guess that it was probably some sort of deal. We get to "host" the game, but it will be in a stadium that will probably be at least 75% Mexico fans.

Better than Azteca, I guess :shrug:

 
Where do you guys see the locations for the November WCQ matches? One is in St. Louis and the other is where?

 
Worm said:
Where do you guys see the locations for the November WCQ matches? One is in St. Louis and the other is where?
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The exact schedule has not been released from CONCACAF yet but the working theory is that one of the games in November will be at home and one will be away (we don't which is which yet).

From all indications, the home qualifier will be at Busch Stadium.

 
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