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US Men's National Team (13 Viewers)

CP back riding the pine again.

This is an English conspiracy to make sure he's in the worst form possible for the tournament. You will not convince me otherwise.
 
AAABatteries said:
Moe. said:
TLEF316 said:
Vazquez absolutely torched Aaron Long for a goal today. Guess which one is starting (or even going to) in Qatar....
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Insane. Long isn’t one of the 15 best defenders in MLS
Click to expand...

I’ve been mostly supportive of GGG but if he plays Long a majority of minutes then I have to question his sanity.
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I am bracing myself because I think it may happen. I can see Long starting two games in the group stage. The injuries in the last camp I think sealed our fate in hoping that GGG would consider either Richards or CCV ahead of Long. McKenzie did not do well enough to get in the conversation.

We are now also faced with the difficult problem that both Zimm and Long are already out of the playoffs. I am scared to think we are likely to start both against Wales when neither will have played a real minute of in game soccer for a month plus :(
 
NewlyRetired said:
AAABatteries said:
Moe. said:
TLEF316 said:
Vazquez absolutely torched Aaron Long for a goal today. Guess which one is starting (or even going to) in Qatar....
Click to expand...
Insane. Long isn’t one of the 15 best defenders in MLS
Click to expand...

I’ve been mostly supportive of GGG but if he plays Long a majority of minutes then I have to question his sanity.
Click to expand...

I am bracing myself because I think it may happen. I can see Long starting two games in the group stage. The injuries in the last camp I think sealed our fate in hoping that GGG would consider either Richards or CCV ahead of Long. McKenzie did not do well enough to get in the conversation.

We are now also faced with the difficult problem that both Zimm and Long are already out of the playoffs. I am scared to think we are likely to start both against Wales when neither will have played a real minute of in game soccer for a month plus :(
Click to expand...

I won’t fault GGG for the wonky schedule and if Miles was healthy we’d be in the same situation - but it’s obvious Long is not the answer.
 
TLEF316 said:
CP back riding the pine again.

This is an English conspiracy to make sure he's in the worst form possible for the tournament. You will not convince me otherwise.
Click to expand...

This caught me off guard today. I did not expect after playing very well in his last appearance that he would go 180 straight minutes on the bench.
 
I rarely pine for players that I think the coach does not favor since it is a bit of a waste of time but I have to say Ream checks more boxes for the US right now than any out of favor player I can remember since Harkes was unexpectedly dropped from the 98 team.

Look at what Ream gives us:

1) Quality of league: Ream plays in the highest quality league of any CB we have who plays regularly. Ream plays every game against WC level forwards. There is nothing on Wales or Iran that should cause him to even blink.
2) Durability: Long, CCV, Robinson and Richards have all battled minor to serious injuries the last year while Ream just plays 90 minutes every single game.
3) Chemistry: He plays every minute in both practice and games right next to the starting USMNT LB in Jedi. That level of understanding between two international defenders is invaluable, especially with no warm up games left before the WC starts
4) Position: With Brooks out of the picture, Ream is the only natural LCB left in the pool of candidates
5) Skill set: GGG seems to continue to want to believe that the US can build out of the back, and Ream is our best passing CB we have, excelling at short and medium length ground passes, being tested weekly against teams that press Fulham.
 
Last edited:
NewlyRetired said:
Meanwhile the CB answer to our problem states his case week in and week out in arguably the best league in the world
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Love Ream and especially that he's getting his due.

But he can't run. And that LCB position for the USMNT was built around an athletic, recovery defender to pair with Zimmerman.

I mean, it's not like the coaching staff isn't aware of him or anything. Brooks was dropped for the same reason (at least nominally -- maybe there was more to it).

I think he and Zimm back there either forces us to scrap how we've tried to play for 3 years now, or is a disaster waiting to happen. And while bunkering and countering might fit our scrappy DNA (I still think it's a good fit for our team), we know it's not going to happen. The Millennials would riot and it's awfully late in the game to try and put something totally new in.
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
NewlyRetired said:
Meanwhile the CB answer to our problem states his case week in and week out in arguably the best league in the world
Click to expand...

But he can't run. And that LCB position for the USMNT was built around an athletic, recovery defender to pair with Zimmerman.
Click to expand...

I think this is the key point.

Miles was by far and away our most athletic CB and best one on one defender.

But once Miles was gone, Long lost a step (or 3) after his serious injury. CCV and McKenzie are plodders and not much faster than Ream. Richards is by far the fastest of the group that is left but he is both hurt and when healthy never plays.

I don't see much of a difference from Ream's lack of foot speed and our other choices. Long looked like he was running in quicksand when Vasquez beat him to the spot last night for the late win.
 
Last edited:
NewlyRetired said:
TLEF316 said:
CP back riding the pine again.

This is an English conspiracy to make sure he's in the worst form possible for the tournament. You will not convince me otherwise.
Click to expand...

This caught me off guard today. I did not expect after playing very well in his last appearance that he would go 180 straight minutes on the bench.
Click to expand...
I think this is why you saw some frustration vented here after his goal in the game he started, because you knew that there was still no way he was starting the Milan game despite playing well. It turned out he didn't even come off the bench, which maybe was dictated by game script, but then today even with Mount supposedly a bit banged up he got no run. Who knows what's going on there - maybe he looks bad in training or something, but it's pretty clear that he is multiple injuries to forwards away from getting serious playing time.
 
McBokonon said:
NewlyRetired said:
Pefok with an assist vs Dortmund today. Showed some big boy strength

Click to expand...
Jordan ➡️Kevin Behrens Jordan had taken a nasty knock to the knee. And though he hadn't scored today he had been immense, selfless and strong, assured on the ball, always creating a gap for his team-mates.
Click to expand...
I was coming on to post the Tillman goal (beauty) and Prefok assist (beauty).

Pre's assist...I just love how he gets there, uses his size/strength to win and hold, and then have the vision and skill to lay off to the runner perfectly. Not sure why that's not a skillet GGG wants....but oh well.

Wanted to watch this one today to watch him...anybody catch it? I want to believe the crapfest he put up vs Mex was an anomaly and this is who he really is.
 
NewlyRetired said:
I rarely pine for players that I think the coach does not favor since it is a bit of a waste of time but I have to say Ream checks more boxes for the US right than any out of favor player I can remember since Harkes was unexpectedly dropped from the 98 team.

Look at what Ream gives us:

1) Quality of league: Ream plays in the highest quality league of any CB we have who plays regularly. Ream plays every game against WC level forwards. There is nothing on Wales or Iran that should cause him to even blink.
2) Durability: Long, CCV, Robinson and Richards have all battled minor to serious injuries the last year while Ream just plays 90 minutes every single game.
3) Chemistry: He plays every minute in both practice and games right next to the starting USMNT LB in Jedi. That level of understanding between two international defenders is invaluable, especially with no warm up games left before the WC starts
4) Position: With Brooks out of the picture, Ream is the only natural LCB left in the pool of candidates
5) Skill set: GGG seems to continue to want to believe that the US can build out of the back, and Ream is our best passing CB we have, excelling at short and medium length ground passes, being tested weekly against teams that press Fulham.
Click to expand...
Like, duh!!!
 
www.getfootballnewsfrance.com

Folarin Balogun doesn't commit future to England or Arsenal - Get French Football News

Speaking to L'Équipe, Stade de Reims' on-loan Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun (21) didn't commit his international future to the Three Lions, nor did he
www.getfootballnewsfrance.com www.getfootballnewsfrance.com

Folarin Balogun: “Above everything, I feel English, but I also have an American side, because I have family in New York and I love going there. ... Just like my future at club level, I am not closing any doors regarding international selection. All options remain open
 
NewlyRetired said:
www.getfootballnewsfrance.com

Folarin Balogun doesn't commit future to England or Arsenal - Get French Football News

Speaking to L'Équipe, Stade de Reims' on-loan Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun (21) didn't commit his international future to the Three Lions, nor did he
www.getfootballnewsfrance.com www.getfootballnewsfrance.com

Folarin Balogun: “Above everything, I feel English, but I also have an American side, because I have family in New York and I love going there. ... Just like my future at club level, I am not closing any doors regarding international selection. All options remain open
Click to expand...
@gianmarco
 
Steven Goff

@SoccerInsider

FC Dallas striker Jesus Ferreira voted MLS young player of the year (22 and under). 1. Ferreira 32.4 percent 2. Thiago Almada (ATL) 17.3 3. Brenner (CIN) 8.2 Almada narrowly won player and club tech staff categories, Ferreira won media vote by landslide. (Brenner was 2nd.)
 
gianmarco said:
El Floppo said:
Can't imagine he'd turn down an england call up though.
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But he won't get one, will he?
Click to expand...

Certainly not this cycle. Harry Kane will likely age out for the 2026 run which may open up a spot. The rest of the English attackers are fairly young so he would have to beat out some one currently ahead of him.

I would guess he will get invited to a US camp early next cycle. Whether it will be for a cap tying game and whether he would accept, we just need to wait and see.

Another variable is the Olympics. The US has already qualified but England's qualification happens next year. I don't think Balogun is eligible for qualification but he would be eligible for the Olympics themselves.
 
McBokonon said:
McBokonon said:
NewlyRetired said:
Pefok with an assist vs Dortmund today. Showed some big boy strength

Click to expand...
Jordan ➡️Kevin Behrens Jordan had taken a nasty knock to the knee. And though he hadn't scored today he had been immense, selfless and strong, assured on the ball, always creating a gap for his team-mates.
Click to expand...
Just want to make sure people see the real reason I posted this is because Pefok left with an injury.
Click to expand...
@BrianSciaretta - Union Berlin manager Urs Fischer tells the media today that the injury which forced Jordan Pefok out of the game against Borussia Dortmund this past weekend will keep him out tomorrow in the cup match vs. Heidenheim.
- The club expects Pefok back this Sunday vs. Bochum
 
NewlyRetired said:
prefontaine said:
"Sargent is an electric player. He reminds me of Giggs; pace, brave and everything. I like him." - Slavan Bilic :unsure:
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WTF.....

:lmao:

I love me some ginger but this has to be the worst comparison I have ever heard ..... The two players could not be more different...
Click to expand...

It occurred to me today Slavan was probably comparing Josh to his teammate - 19 year old Norwich midfielder Liam Gibbs - and was just misheard by the reporter.
 
Potter on CP...
“You can imagine my focus is on Chelsea. I understand that all the players have ambition and want to play for different reasons; for their families, careers or World Cups financially. That’s all fine but it’s my job to select the right team for whatever game. Not saying I am right all the time, I am not but somebody has got to make the call. With Christian I would say he has been fantastic around the place, been really good with team-mates, contributed against Wolves. He is pushing for a place, pushing for a start. Things change quickly in football and he needs to be ready.”
 
NewlyRetired said:
USMNT Getting on the Plane stock watch. Richards has been downgraded and now considered long shot to make the team due to health issues . The author seems convinced that not only will Long not start, he may not even get on plane ...

USMNT Stock Watch: Is Tim Ream back in the mix with Aaron Long slipping? | FOX Sports

Time is running thin. With just a few more weeks to go, there is still enough for a bit more movement yet.
www.foxsports.com www.foxsports.com
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, seems super-unlikely that Richards will be on the roster given the timeframe. 99.9% likely that Long is the starter (and would likely have been, even if Richards was healthy). Guessing our CBs will be Zimmerman, Long, McKenzie and CCV, with slightl chance of Ream or EPB replacing either McKenzie or CCV.
 
El Floppo said:
Potter on CP...
“You can imagine my focus is on Chelsea. I understand that all the players have ambition and want to play for different reasons; for their families, careers or World Cups financially. That’s all fine but it’s my job to select the right team for whatever game. Not saying I am right all the time, I am not but somebody has got to make the call. With Christian I would say he has been fantastic around the place, been really good with team-mates, contributed against Wolves. He is pushing for a place, pushing for a start. Things change quickly in football and he needs to be ready.”
Click to expand...

Potter using quite a different lineup today against Brentford but poor CP finds himself on the bench once again. I've no idea what sort of formation he intends to run today but am all for it.
 
another goal from Pepi today in a Cup game. Pepi won the ball in the midfield, which fell to a team mate. Teammate carried the whole way and laid off for a Pepi tap in.
 
Cristian Pulisic played fantastic for Chelsea over the last 30 minutes today but couldn't get a goal and the game ended 0-0. He was part of a 3 player substitution with the game scoreless and Brentford defending with everything they had. He played mostly right side and central, team was feeding him and he had several great moments, several dangerous actions - something Chelsea were completely lacking the first 60 minutes. Can't ask for much more from him on a 30 minute sub appearance.
 
CletiusMaximus said:
Cristian Pulisic played fantastic for Chelsea over the last 30 minutes today but couldn't get a goal and the game ended 0-0. He was part of a 3 player substitution with the game scoreless and Brentford defending with everything they had. He played mostly right side and central, team was feeding him and he had several great moments, several dangerous actions - something Chelsea were completely lacking the first 60 minutes. Can't ask for much more from him on a 30 minute sub appearance.
Click to expand...

He'll be back on the bench this weekend I'm sure. The red coat sabotage continues
 
NewlyRetired said:
USMNT Getting on the Plane stock watch. Richards has been downgraded and now considered long shot to make the team due to health issues . The author seems convinced that not only will Long not start, he may not even get on plane ...

USMNT Stock Watch: Is Tim Ream back in the mix with Aaron Long slipping? | FOX Sports

Time is running thin. With just a few more weeks to go, there is still enough for a bit more movement yet.
www.foxsports.com www.foxsports.com
Click to expand...
As we prep for the world cup in earnest, Long has started the last 7 USMNT matches. None of the guys that have been given cameos in that time have overly impressed. I'll be stunned if Long doesn't start vs Iran and the idea he's not on the plane is a ludicrous level of optimism.
 
The Z Machine said:
prefontaine said:
I'll be stunned if Long doesn't start vs Iran and the idea he's not on the plane is a ludicrous level of optimism.
Click to expand...
What do we know about the Iranian strikers and and inside forwards that might play in the wing in a 3 man front?
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Sorry, I had games mixed up. I mean Wales. Nothing in particular about Iran makes Long a starter but I think he'll start the first game and depending on how he plays we might see changes after. But I'm not even sure who we go to if Richards isn't ready.
 
TLEF316 said:
CletiusMaximus said:
Cristian Pulisic played fantastic for Chelsea over the last 30 minutes today but couldn't get a goal and the game ended 0-0. He was part of a 3 player substitution with the game scoreless and Brentford defending with everything they had. He played mostly right side and central, team was feeding him and he had several great moments, several dangerous actions - something Chelsea were completely lacking the first 60 minutes. Can't ask for much more from him on a 30 minute sub appearance.
Click to expand...

He'll be back on the bench this weekend I'm sure. The red coat sabotage continues
Click to expand...
It’s just gonna make it that much sweeter
 
CletiusMaximus said:
Cristian Pulisic played fantastic for Chelsea over the last 30 minutes today but couldn't get a goal and the game ended 0-0. He was part of a 3 player substitution with the game scoreless and Brentford defending with everything they had. He played mostly right side and central, team was feeding him and he had several great moments, several dangerous actions - something Chelsea were completely lacking the first 60 minutes. Can't ask for much more from him on a 30 minute sub appearance.
Click to expand...

All touch video below. So positive. Nice to see him playing at a high tempo

 
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