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US Men's National Team (4 Viewers)

Oh Poch what a line. 🤣

It may have been broken English but in describing Luna having a broken nose, begging to keep playing and then getting the sweet assist 30 seconds later Poch says “he has big balls”. The interviewers (DMB, Dunseth, Martino, etc) just lost it, laughing with him.

He then reworded after he stopped laughing to say “he showed great character” :)

He was clearly impressed with the group and it was very nice to see them respond to his coaching even after only a couple of weeks.
For real, this shift in determination and commitment from the C squad is exactly what the national team needs. They need balls. They need swagger. They need to feel emotion and passion and confidence. Poch is bringing that out in these players. I hope he can do the same with the A squad.
 
The FA from Greenland is coming to Miami next month to talk to CONCACAF leaders about membership.
Trying to get on the CONCACAF corruption train. Nice.
Grass fields are not used in Greenland so ironically the field turf will probably be a better surface for the US than they see in many of the Central American or island countries.

But safe to say this will be the smallest place the US will ever play if this all comes to pass.


Note that Greenland getting into Concacaf is only step 1. They then need to get into FIFA after that. My guess is that FIFA won’t accept them until they have something resembling a small stadium to play in.
 
This is interesting. Dax is a dual nat from Utah (born in Miami) who took the unusual path of starting his career in the CR first division for Saprissa

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https://x.com/USBallersAbroad
USA Ballers Abroad

@USBallersAbroad

Miguel Herrera said that he tried calling up a "very good" 17-year-old who he saw play twice, but he wasn't able to get him to accept.

Naturally, it's expected that he is referring to Dax Palmer ('07) who has started the first two games of the Clausura for Saprissa
 
One or two of Luna, McGlynn, Jones and Ageyman could make the nations league roster.
Note that this was just about the "newer" players.

Also, I expect anywhere from 2 to 4 of Ream, Schulte, Zimm, Steffen, and Miles to make the March roster.
This sounds right.

At least one of Schulte and Steffen almost definitely makes the roster, and I wouldn't be shocked if both make it ahead of Horvath and Slonina

Central Defenders, seems like Richards and Mckenzie are almost certain, and then we bring two or three (depending on roster size) of Trusty, CCV, Ream (most likely, I think), Miles and Zimm (I think he's the least likely)

Seems like if Balogun is still going to be out, then Agyemang would have a decent chance of making it as a third striker (behind Pepi and Sargent).

If Dest is back, seems like we still need at least one backup LB or RB. Could be any of a bunch of guys (including Moore and Jones). If Dest is still out, we might still just need one more, because we might put someone like Weah or Musah at LB or RB.

I think Paxton Aaronson is probably in line ahead of Luna or McGlynn to get added to the MF mix.
 
Scrolling Reddit I notice that we're back to "winning friendlies against CONCACAF opposition is a good thing." Poch is making real progress, I guess.
For me it was seeing them organized, with everybody seeming to know their roles and allowing some room for expression.

For an off-season group of lower tier players, I thought they shined- a little individually, but mostly as a collective. Love seeing that.
 
Scrolling Reddit I notice that we're back to "winning friendlies against CONCACAF opposition is a good thing." Poch is making real progress, I guess.
We really haven't been winning full camp cupcake schedules for a while.

I certainly don't expect miracles from Poch. I'm on record as not buying that this is the most talented US player pool ever, because it's demonstrably less talented at two key positions--center back and goalkeeper--than teams from the past.

But what I like about Poch, is that for all the worldwide reputation, he's mostly taking us back to a simpler approach to coaching the national team. He's not trying to "change the way the world views US soccer" or to cultivate some global technical model that everyone in the player pool needs to fit. He's taking the players he has available to him each time, the A team or the MLS scrubs, and he's trying to figure out a way to make them tough to beat. And maybe that only goes so far, but it's refreshing because as much as we all want to be able to play out of the back, it's not really a "learning" experience to keep giving away the ball to Columbia for 90 minutes straight. That experience doesn't prepare you for the next pressing team. It's much better for the team to learn to figure out early what isn't working and to then adapt. And if that means that in some games we throw a physical target forward up there to try to make life miserable for their center backs and let our center backs hoof some clearances, so be it.
 
Scrolling Reddit I notice that we're back to "winning friendlies against CONCACAF opposition is a good thing." Poch is making real progress, I guess.
For me it was seeing them organized, with everybody seeming to know their roles and allowing some room for expression.

For an off-season group of lower tier players, I thought they shined- a little individually, but mostly as a collective. Love seeing that.

I can see Dinsy's point for people who don't really follow the team. They may just assume we always look like this in January with out of season players.

As some one who has watched every single Camp Cupcake game year after year (please shoot me), I can absolutely assure people this camp was different. The on field play was simply better, both individually and as a team. Whether that was due to the coach, the players or a combination (combo is my guess), I can't say.

It has nothing to do with the level of competition. We have played weaker competition in past January's and looked much (MUCH) worse.

In past January camps you always got the feeling that the players really did not want to be there. There was something different this camp (which was highlighted by what Luna did).
 
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Scrolling Reddit I notice that we're back to "winning friendlies against CONCACAF opposition is a good thing." Poch is making real progress, I guess.
We really haven't been winning full camp cupcake schedules for a while.

I certainly don't expect miracles from Poch. I'm on record as not buying that this is the most talented US player pool ever, because it's demonstrably less talented at two key positions--center back and goalkeeper--than teams from the past.

But what I like about Poch, is that for all the worldwide reputation, he's mostly taking us back to a simpler approach to coaching the national team. He's not trying to "change the way the world views US soccer" or to cultivate some global technical model that everyone in the player pool needs to fit. He's taking the players he has available to him each time, the A team or the MLS scrubs, and he's trying to figure out a way to make them tough to beat. And maybe that only goes so far, but it's refreshing because as much as we all want to be able to play out of the back, it's not really a "learning" experience to keep giving away the ball to Columbia for 90 minutes straight. That experience doesn't prepare you for the next pressing team. It's much better for the team to learn to figure out early what isn't working and to then adapt. And if that means that in some games we throw a physical target forward up there to try to make life miserable for their center backs and let our center backs hoof some clearances, so be it.
I found it interesting in the post game when they asked Poch if he planned for either of the opponents and he said absolutely not. What he provided was a game plan that he hoped would help his team while also testing players in different spots to see if they could adapt and give him options for the full team.

I wonder if that thought process is only because these were meaningless friendlies and when the time comes he will prepare a game plan that factors in the opponent.
 
I was more reacting to wins against CONCACAF in actual competitions against first teams (including Mexico) being irrelevant 6 months ago. Not so much here, as the wider USMNT community.
 


I think Paxton Aaronson is probably in line ahead of Luna or McGlynn to get added to the MF mix.
What is also really interesting is whether Paxton and his brother are going to be fighting each other for a roster spot. Both are playing well and play slightly different roles, but not different enough that one may not cancel out the other.
 
I was more reacting to wins against CONCACAF in actual competitions against first teams (including Mexico) being irrelevant 6 months ago. Not so much here, as the wider USMNT community.
I have not seen that myself but if that is the sentiment then I strongly disagree with it.

We have so few real games this cycle, that every game, ESPECIALLY real games and not friendlies, take on added importance. The two games coming up in March are going to be sneaky important for this cycle.

Since we have so few games this cycle I am really hoping that Poch and the Federation buck the recent trend of not using our best players in the Gold Cup. I realize giving some players rest is very important but that has to be balanced against how few games Poch will have with the top squad.
 
It has nothing to do with the level of competition. We have played weaker competition in past January's and looked much (MUCH) worse.
I do think this was a pretty weak showing from VEN and especially CR. I'm not used to CR players making so many poor touches and obvious, sometimes unforced mistakes on the ball. That made life easier for the US as a whole and as individuals, and certainly allowed them the opportunity to impose themselves in the games.

That said, their organization was solid vs both which ALSO allowed them to impose themselves and make their opponents look weaker.

An aside...been meaning to say, I was excited to see Indiana play after hearing his name for a bit. Man was he not at this level. Everything just a step off.
 
Hey.

I haven't been on FBG's in a while but this place was where I first started chatting USMNT with anyone.

I hope you all enjoyed my guy Big Pat Agyemang. I've had the pleasure of watching him in Charlotte for a couple years now and he quickly became my favorite player. He is the weirdest combination of 'skilled yet still raw', and I think you saw that in both USMNT matches. He has a banger of a left foot and has shown some very good hold up play in MLS. His physical ability to shield defenders can be very very good, leading to some surprising maneuvering/shot taking in tight spaces. He does need improvement on his touch at times (had a handful of bad ones last night) - as one of my Charlotte FC buddies put it he should be spending time on that like a WR does on a jugs machine.

I was super happy to see him get the opportunity and make the most of it. He is a very easy player to root for - always smiling and gracious with the fans.

I hope you all will join me as members of Agyegang.
 
Hey.

I haven't been on FBG's in a while but this place was where I first started chatting USMNT with anyone.

I hope you all enjoyed my guy Big Pat Agyemang. I've had the pleasure of watching him in Charlotte for a couple years now and he quickly became my favorite player. He is the weirdest combination of 'skilled yet still raw', and I think you saw that in both USMNT matches. He has a banger of a left foot and has shown some very good hold up play in MLS. His physical ability to shield defenders can be very very good, leading to some surprising maneuvering/shot taking in tight spaces. He does need improvement on his touch at times (had a handful of bad ones last night) - as one of my Charlotte FC buddies put it he should be spending time on that like a WR does on a jugs machine.

I was super happy to see him get the opportunity and make the most of it. He is a very easy player to root for - always smiling and gracious with the fans.

I hope you all will join me as members of Agyegang.
this is great!

I had heard of Agy this year but never really got a chance to watch him play so these two games were interesting to watch him.

I love his back story which certainly gives us hope that his development is not over yet.

He is clearly still an unfinished project but there is a lot to like in his game. We don't really have a "big bruising" number 9 in our system ever since Dike started having non stop injury issues and with Balogun out, Agy may have a chance to press Vazquez for a roster spot. Hopefully he can use the positivity from this camp to start the season strong in Charlotte.

In terms of improving his touch, I wish all MLS teams would invest in these (or something similar)

 
Hey.

I haven't been on FBG's in a while but this place was where I first started chatting USMNT with anyone.

I hope you all enjoyed my guy Big Pat Agyemang. I've had the pleasure of watching him in Charlotte for a couple years now and he quickly became my favorite player. He is the weirdest combination of 'skilled yet still raw', and I think you saw that in both USMNT matches. He has a banger of a left foot and has shown some very good hold up play in MLS. His physical ability to shield defenders can be very very good, leading to some surprising maneuvering/shot taking in tight spaces. He does need improvement on his touch at times (had a handful of bad ones last night) - as one of my Charlotte FC buddies put it he should be spending time on that like a WR does on a jugs machine.

I was super happy to see him get the opportunity and make the most of it. He is a very easy player to root for - always smiling and gracious with the fans.

I hope you all will join me as members of Agyegang.
this is great!

I had heard of Agy this year but never really got a chance to watch him play so these two games were interesting to watch him.

I love his back story which certainly gives us hope that his development is not over yet.

He is clearly still an unfinished project but there is a lot to like in his game. We don't really have a "big bruising" number 9 in our system ever since Dike started having non stop injury issues and with Balogun out, Agy may have a chance to press Vazquez for a roster spot. Hopefully he can use the positivity from this camp to start the season strong in Charlotte.

In terms of improving his touch, I wish all MLS teams would invest in these (or something similar)

Funny that you mention Dike... the comparisons are natural. Agyemang doesn't have the same injury history concerns, and interestingly enough they are the exact same age.
 
Hey.

I haven't been on FBG's in a while but this place was where I first started chatting USMNT with anyone.

I hope you all enjoyed my guy Big Pat Agyemang. I've had the pleasure of watching him in Charlotte for a couple years now and he quickly became my favorite player. He is the weirdest combination of 'skilled yet still raw', and I think you saw that in both USMNT matches. He has a banger of a left foot and has shown some very good hold up play in MLS. His physical ability to shield defenders can be very very good, leading to some surprising maneuvering/shot taking in tight spaces. He does need improvement on his touch at times (had a handful of bad ones last night) - as one of my Charlotte FC buddies put it he should be spending time on that like a WR does on a jugs machine.

I was super happy to see him get the opportunity and make the most of it. He is a very easy player to root for - always smiling and gracious with the fans.

I hope you all will join me as members of Agyegang.
this is great!

I had heard of Agy this year but never really got a chance to watch him play so these two games were interesting to watch him.

I love his back story which certainly gives us hope that his development is not over yet.

He is clearly still an unfinished project but there is a lot to like in his game. We don't really have a "big bruising" number 9 in our system ever since Dike started having non stop injury issues and with Balogun out, Agy may have a chance to press Vazquez for a roster spot. Hopefully he can use the positivity from this camp to start the season strong in Charlotte.

In terms of improving his touch, I wish all MLS teams would invest in these (or something similar)

Funny that you mention Dike... the comparisons are natural. Agyemang doesn't have the same injury history concerns, and interestingly enough they are the exact same age.
I was hoping Ag was younger.

It's been so long since I've seen him play, so I could be misremembering... But I don't recall Dike being particularly good at hold up play, or at least showing as much promise as Ag.

I wonder if Ag needs time to warm up and get into the game- for his touch and game sense. Vs VEN as a starter he was rampant with both, vs CR as a sub, grim with both.
 
And don't get me wrorng- I'm excited by him as a prospect that brings such a different game than the other current 3 main US 9s. Exactly what we need. Love what he brings in terms of his top tier... Just the worse than zardoz touches are problematic.
 
Wrong thread, but CP and US related... looking like Santi G could move to Milan.

He's a 9, so I don't see him getting in the way of CP... Just don't want El tri to gain from the USs gains
 
Hey.

I haven't been on FBG's in a while but this place was where I first started chatting USMNT with anyone.

I hope you all enjoyed my guy Big Pat Agyemang. I've had the pleasure of watching him in Charlotte for a couple years now and he quickly became my favorite player. He is the weirdest combination of 'skilled yet still raw', and I think you saw that in both USMNT matches. He has a banger of a left foot and has shown some very good hold up play in MLS. His physical ability to shield defenders can be very very good, leading to some surprising maneuvering/shot taking in tight spaces. He does need improvement on his touch at times (had a handful of bad ones last night) - as one of my Charlotte FC buddies put it he should be spending time on that like a WR does on a jugs machine.

I was super happy to see him get the opportunity and make the most of it. He is a very easy player to root for - always smiling and gracious with the fans.

I hope you all will join me as members of Agyegang.
this is great!

I had heard of Agy this year but never really got a chance to watch him play so these two games were interesting to watch him.

I love his back story which certainly gives us hope that his development is not over yet.

He is clearly still an unfinished project but there is a lot to like in his game. We don't really have a "big bruising" number 9 in our system ever since Dike started having non stop injury issues and with Balogun out, Agy may have a chance to press Vazquez for a roster spot. Hopefully he can use the positivity from this camp to start the season strong in Charlotte.

In terms of improving his touch, I wish all MLS teams would invest in these (or something similar)

Funny that you mention Dike... the comparisons are natural. Agyemang doesn't have the same injury history concerns, and interestingly enough they are the exact same age.
I was hoping Ag was younger.

It's been so long since I've seen him play, so I could be misremembering... But I don't recall Dike being particularly good at hold up play, or at least showing as much promise as Ag.

I wonder if Ag needs time to warm up and get into the game- for his touch and game sense. Vs VEN as a starter he was rampant with both, vs CR as a sub, grim with both.
It's primarily been the opposite at Charlotte as far as overall effectiveness. He has tired at times as a starter, and dominated as a 65+ super sub against tired legs/bodies.

I think the specific weaknesses you saw (touch, motion at times) haven't necessarily ebbed and flowed according to any rules - he just needs to work on his consistency in general.
 
Since we have so few games this cycle I am really hoping that Poch and the Federation buck the recent trend of not using our best players in the Gold Cup. I realize giving some players rest is very important but that has to be balanced against how few games Poch will have with the top squad.
The Gold Cup will probably be a B squad. Some of our best players will be there and then some of the next tier. The players going to the Club World Cup will not be part and I think a few others will take the summer off - mostly guys that just need a real rest.
 
Updating this, as much so I don't lose track of the post as anything, but added a bunch of names...

1997-ccv, jedi, miles, dejuan jones
1998-pulisic, weston, trusty, LDLT, Mihailovic, Connon, Zendejas, Vazquez, A Sonora, Haji
1999-Adams, McKenzie, Maloney
2000-Weah, Dest, Richards, B Aaronson, Ferreira, Dike, Sargent, Sands, Agmeyang
2001-Cardoso, Tessman, Balogun, T Booth, Reynolds, A Morris, McGuire, Schulte
2002-Reyna, Musah, Scally, M Tillman, Busio, Lund, yow, zahiroslam
2003- Pepi, Paredes, P Aaronson, Cowell, Neal, McGlynn, Gutierrez
2004-Slonina, Z Booth, Pukstas, brady, wiley, q sullivan, chase, koleosho, downs
2005-cremaschi
2006-kochen, campbell, banks, akinmboni
2007-miller, mcfarlane, pierre
2008-hall
2009-c sullivan, albert
 
Banks is getting his first start for Augsberg!
This has been coming. His trajectory is exciting as he turned 18 less than two months ago
Continuing to raise his profile also gives Poch a chance to consider calling him up soon!
Given our CB pool with no one providing comfort right now, it's hard not to ignore someone starting in the Bundesliga. It's the same reason everyone wants Anrie Chase to switch. He hasn't even played a minute since the break and he's close to 3 years older than Banks.
 
Another start for Adams who has locked himself in (when healthy) for Bournemouth now.
Bournemouth is a fun team to watch too. I think I mentioned Iraola as an option to coach the USMNT when we re-hired Barhalter when he was still at Vallecano. The guy is one of the top coaches in the World that no one knows and started his coaching career in MLS.
I did not know that about starting to coach in MLS. I know he played for NYCFC but I did not know he coached in the league.

I looked it up on wiki but did not find any info. Do you know what MLS team he was attached with when he started his coaching career?
 
The announcer is calling him Noah Banks. I'm not sure if that's what he goes by sometimes but I've heard it pronounced No-Key. We'll have to learn this soon.
 
nice day so far.

Brace for Sargent.
Solid first start for Banks.
Adams looks like he may be MOTM in the Bournemouth win (he is the highest rated player so far on Fotmob late into the match).
 
Neither Reyna nor Campbell played today in another ugly game for Dortmund.

Dortmund got a red card early in the game but still managed to get a 2-0 lead but coughed it up, leaving with a 2-2 draw.
 

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