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US Men's National Team (15 Viewers)

So many of our young players who go to Germany seem to be very unhappy.  This article talks about how unhappy and isolated Steffan felt.  We are lucky that Pulisic has his dad over there.

Steffen rediscovers happiness with Crew


Obviously still very young for a GK, so there's time...but having a talent like this gut not getting games is rough.  Gonna be tough for him to beat out Horvath in a few years if he never plays.

 
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Obviously still very young for a GK, so there's time...but having a talent like this gut not getting games is rough.  Gonna be tough for him to beat out Horvath in a few years if he never plays.
I have always leaned towards it is better to play in a lower league like MLS or Norway than it is to sit on bench in top league and hope for breakthrough, so I agree with you.

 
Arsenal named a 25 man squad for their next group of preseason games and Zelalem made this squad.  It looks like the full Arsenal team minus 4 players (Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud, and Koscielny).  Ramsey and Alexis join team for first time this summer on this 25  

 
Quick Spurs update - mixed bag:  Spurs play final friendly against Inter in Oslo tomorrow - CCV is traveling with the team, Yedlin is not traveling.

I have not heard anything else on a loan/sale for Yedlin (or any kind of a knock).

ETA - Yedlin would be unlikely to play, even if he travelled - this is the first/only friendly with the Euro players, so I expect Walker to get most of the minutes at RB, and Rose/Davie have LB covered.  Still, not traveling is probably a sign he will be off somewhere in the next few weeks, unless he picked up a knock in training in the last day or so.
So CCV is getting the start this morning, will be lined up next to Alderweireld at LCB.  Spurs starting 8 starters (only Dembele, Vertonghen, and Lloris - not starting)

 
Yes - he tweaked a hammy on the Aussie tour - have seen him in training photos, so I assume he will start next week.  Vertonghen is also training, so I expect him back in the fold soon.

I expect this is to see if CCV can be the 4th CB this season, or needs a loan.
Are we hoping he has a bad game so he gets a loan where he'll be an every game option?

 
Are we hoping he has a bad game so he gets a loan where he'll be an every game option?
Mixed bag - needs game time, but I think there is good value in training with the 1st team under Poch.  Poch has certainly improved the fortunes of many young Englanders.  Assuming CCV stays, he'll get games in the Cups - maybe a random league game after a CL match - have not looked at the schedule to see if there are any "easy" games after mid-week games.

 
Brondy beat Hertha in Europa League yesterday 3-1 which ends John Brooks Europe time very early this year.

Hearts is also out, leaving Kitchen with no more Europe time either.

 
Dortmund play Sunderland on ESPN3 today at 12:55pm eastern.

I believe both Gooch (for Sunderland) and Pulisic are on the game day rosters.

 
Decent 1st half for CCV - a little out of his depth positioning-wise, but not terribly so. Team is not shying away from involving CCV in build up from the back - seems to be a strength of his.  Inter goal was marginally his responsibility, Walker got beat, and CCV was late to cover, but it was a good strike, and even then probably should have been saved.

ETA - Inter goal

 
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Decent 1st half for CCV - a little out of his depth positioning-wise, but not terribly so. Team is not shying away from involving CCV in build up from the back - seems to be a strength of his.  Inter goal was marginally his responsibility, Walker got beat, and CCV was late to cover, but it was a good strike, and even then probably should have been saved.

ETA - Inter goal
Yeah, don't see how you can ask a CB to play a high line and then quibble that he fails to make up the 25 yard recovery run in time to stop the shot there, especially as Perisic took it early.   Something appeared to be off between he and Toby's positioning as Toby was about 3 yards further back, so they weren't in a position to try to step up and play the trap.  But it's hard to know who that's on. 

 
Yeah, don't see how you can ask a CB to play a high line and then quibble that he fails to make up the 25 yard recovery run in time to stop the shot there, especially as Perisic took it early.   Something appeared to be off between he and Toby's positioning as Toby was about 3 yards further back, so they weren't in a position to try to step up and play the trap.  But it's hard to know who that's on. 
Still on in the 2nd half.  Spurs pulling away.  CCV still looks really comfortable on the ball.

 
Have to say that the quality of the Olympic soccer I have watched has been pretty bad.  The defending in that Nigeria / Japan game was beyond atrocious.  Nigeria's shape was pretty much shapeless at the back, and Japan couldn't execute the simplest clearances.  Obviously Fiji is Fiji.  We gut something like that every time NZ ***** the bed in an Oceania tourney. 

 
Sinn Fein said:
Still on in the 2nd half.  Spurs pulling away.  CCV still looks really comfortable on the ball.
Played the entire game.  Not much defending to do in the 2nd half, but never looked out of place, and defended when he needed to.

 
If the US qualify for the hex in the first game of the September qualifiers, (US win and Guat loss), I would hope that JK takes the opportunity to lock The Old Man up in terms of cap tying him to the US in the second September qualifier. 

JK has been very good about locking the younger dual national players in when he gets a chance, so I hope he does the same with CCV.   I don't have any worries about the full England National Team coming to call but in looking at the England youth set up, I bet it would be an easy argument to say that CCV could easily be a part of their U19 setup at this point, which might be enough to turn his head.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
Yeah, don't see how you can ask a CB to play a high line and then quibble that he fails to make up the 25 yard recovery run in time to stop the shot there, especially as Perisic took it early.   Something appeared to be off between he and Toby's positioning as Toby was about 3 yards further back, so they weren't in a position to try to step up and play the trap.  But it's hard to know who that's on. 
I agree about CCV's role there- looked like his spacing was decent... didn't want to be too far wide to risk opening a big gap between him and Toby, and then did his best to cover for his outside back on what was essentially a breakaway.... and he almost got there. I was thinking maybe he should have slid to block the shot, but I kind of liked that he kept his feet just in case the player was going to cut it back (even though it obviously didn't work out).

I didn't play D, so not entirely sure about this, but the line looked good to me even though it wasn't a straight (MoP) line. Toby had his man far in front and could see across the field that the goal scorer was well onside so that stepping to CCV wasn't going to make a difference... seemed to me that he was cheating it to stay ahead of his man, knowing that the trap wasn't in play there. or maybe like you say they ####ed it up. :shrug:  

 
Played the entire game.  Not much defending to do in the 2nd half, but never looked out of place, and defended when he needed to.
very happy for him and potential US hopes. 

not so happy with my Inter, who look assured of a continued slide down the table this year. 

 
I agree about CCV's role there- looked like his spacing was decent... didn't want to be too far wide to risk opening a big gap between him and Toby, and then did his best to cover for his outside back on what was essentially a breakaway.... and he almost got there. I was thinking maybe he should have slid to block the shot, but I kind of liked that he kept his feet just in case the player was going to cut it back (even though it obviously didn't work out).

I didn't play D, so not entirely sure about this, but the line looked good to me even though it wasn't a straight (MoP) line. Toby had his man far in front and could see across the field that the goal scorer was well onside so that stepping to CCV wasn't going to make a difference... seemed to me that he was cheating it to stay ahead of his man, knowing that the trap wasn't in play there. or maybe like you say they ####ed it up. :shrug:  
Yeah, the clip starts awkwardly, Spurs had just turned the ball over, which you can't see - so Walker and CCV had been pushing up when the turnover happened, and the counter was quicker than they could get back in position.  On top of that Walker took a bad angle, and probably should have grabbed a shirt.  

 
and totally forgot Gooch was with sunderland... has there been word about his role there?
He has been loaned out to lower divisions the last couple of years.  he is 20 now and Sunderland's roster is a dumpster fire right now so I have no idea what is going to happen with him.  I believe this is Sunderland's final pre season game.

 
Schalke's U19 team has 3 American's playing on it, Hadji Wright, Weston McKennie, and Nick Taitague.

They must think extremely highly of McKennie as they named him captain and he can't even officially sign with them until the end of the month as he is still just 17.

McKennie is one of the brightest talents to come out of the FC Dallas academy that we have been talking about.

 
I know the U19s were a bit hit or miss in that last tourney in Spain, but McKennie was clearly their star.  He was very good against Spain.  To the extent that I thought he played faster than many of his teammates could handle. 

 
Busy day for Yanks abroad.

* Russel Canouse made his debut as a late game sub for Bochum in Bundesliga 2

* Old friend Johnathon Spector started today for Birmingham in the Championship

* Danny Williams got the start for Reading in the Championship

* Lichaj was on the bench for Nottingham Forrest in the Championship but came on as an injury sub

* Rubio Rubin will be starting for Utrecht today (game starts in about an hour)

 
I feel like the Championship in England and Bundesliga 2 are the two strongest second divisions in the world.  Germany because their depth is outstanding and the Championship has enough money to still buy a ton of second tier foreign players.

But we have all noticed that JK seems to treat many of the Championship players like they have cooties.  And while I am a big fan of MLS, I don't see MLS being much, if at all better, than the Championship.  And if someone wanted to argue the Championship was better, I could buy that as well.

Why do you guys think that JK does not seem to rate the Championship as compared to say the better Americans in MLS?

 
Bradley played in his first game tonight since the Copa injury.  He played ok, nothing great or horrible.

Jozy again came in as a second half sub and like last week he looked active and strong and scored again.

Non US related: Giovinco again with the superman cape on, with a hat trick, of which two were gorgeous goals.

=========================

Birnbaum scored in the 94th minute to salvage a draw for DC against Philly (Bedoya did not dress from what I can tell.  I figure he will be available in the next game)

 
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had a few nice words for Matt Miazga, but the "he needs to play" comments clearly signal a loan. As expected, Miazga did not make the trip to Germany for the final preseason game against Werder, so a loan is now certain.

‘Miazga is a young player with good technique,’ assessed Conte. ‘He is working very well on the physical aspect. On the tactical aspect he can improve a lot but he is improving with this work and in this moment of his career it is good if he plays to improve, to grow his experience.

‘You can improve only if you play, you get a lot of games during the season, but he is a good guy with great athletic ability and I am very happy with him.’  

 
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had a few nice words for Matt Miazga, but the "he needs to play" comments clearly signal a loan. As expected, Miazga did not make the trip to Germany for the final preseason game against Werder, so a loan is now certain.


Sounds like the old "But, she's got a great personality" line....

 
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had a few nice words for Matt Miazga, but the "he needs to play" comments clearly signal a loan. As expected, Miazga did not make the trip to Germany for the final preseason game against Werder, so a loan is now certain.
It is a shame this is taking so long.  

With both Holland and the Championship (the two likely places he could get loaned to) already in full swing, he is going to be way behind the 8 ball.  His chances of playing time early in the season are diminishing every every day unless he runs into an injury opening some where.

 
Here is a list of MLS rookies and their minutes this year.  The * represents US eligible players.  Looking at these numbers, it is no surprise that Earnie Stewart has been trading away Philly's future draft picks

2016 Rookies By League MinutesStartersKeegan Rosenberry* (PHI) - 1980 min/22 appearancesJordan Morris* (SEA) - 1753 min/21 appearancesJonathan Campbell* (CHI) - 1620 min/19 apperancesTsubasa Endoh (TFC) - 1312 min/17 appearancesBrandon Vincent (CHI)* - 1107 min/13 appearancesKen Tribbett (PHI)* - 1082 min/14 appearancesJosh Yaro (PHI) - 896 min/11 appearancesJack Harrison (NYCFC) - 877 min/11 appearancesAlex Muyl* (NYR) - 754 min/17 appearancesFrequent SubstitutesMo Babouli (TFC) - 563 min/13 appearancesFabian Herbers (PHI) - 516 min/20 appearances Michael Salazar (MTL) - 440 mins/10 appearancesJoey Calistri* (CHI) - 331 min/10 appearances

 
Dempsey had the easiest hat trick in history tonight with two open net tap ins and a close range shot.

Morris provided the assist on both tap ins.

 
Here is a list of MLS rookies and their minutes this year.  The * represents US eligible players.  Looking at these numbers, it is no surprise that Earnie Stewart has been trading away Philly's future draft picks

2016 Rookies By League MinutesStartersKeegan Rosenberry* (PHI) - 1980 min/22 appearancesJordan Morris* (SEA) - 1753 min/21 appearancesJonathan Campbell* (CHI) - 1620 min/19 apperancesTsubasa Endoh (TFC) - 1312 min/17 appearancesBrandon Vincent (CHI)* - 1107 min/13 appearancesKen Tribbett (PHI)* - 1082 min/14 appearancesJosh Yaro (PHI) - 896 min/11 appearancesJack Harrison (NYCFC) - 877 min/11 appearancesAlex Muyl* (NYR) - 754 min/17 appearancesFrequent SubstitutesMo Babouli (TFC) - 563 min/13 appearancesFabian Herbers (PHI) - 516 min/20 appearances Michael Salazar (MTL) - 440 mins/10 appearancesJoey Calistri* (CHI) - 331 min/10 appearances
oh... been meaning to look up Jack Harrison, who is scary good and only 19. english.

 
and wsa just looking for info on Muyl... I think I may have inadvertently talked about him in this thread years ago! he was born and raised in the neighborhood, and I remember seeing a couple of kids one day during one of floppinho's soccer "classes" just kicking around. better as 12yos than I probalby was as an 18yo... silky smooth skills and fundamentals. I remember writing about them... of course- could've been other random kids... but I remember asking what looked their parents about them and they mentioned ODP. :shrug:

 
Here is one bit of good news has gone under the radar.

Stuggart are one of the favorites to get promoted from Bundesliga 2 this year and 19 year old US Joel Sonora was just named to the first team roster to start the season.

He played for Stuggart 2 previously.

His father is Diego Sonora, who was a long time Argentine Pro and was a multi time all star in the early days of MLS when Joel was born.

 
Jack McBean, who is a homegrown player from the Galaxy has not been able to crack the roster with any consistency and has mostly been playing with the Galaxy 2 in the USL, has just secured a loan to League 1 side Coventry City which should be a big step up from the USL.

 
Jack McBean, who is a homegrown player from the Galaxy has not been able to crack the roster with any consistency and has mostly been playing with the Galaxy 2 in the USL, has just secured a loan to League 1 side Coventry City which should be a big step up from the USL.
I was surprised to learn how productive McBean has been in USL (15 goals in 17 games).  He's never impressed me in the least in his few Galaxy appearances.

 

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