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US Men's National Team (8 Viewers)

El Floppo said:
Soto again with his clever touch to slow down and let the defender get a chance.

And another goal. He's a mad, unskilled genius.

But he has made some nice little diagonal  runs in behind defenders.
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I'll give him crap for taking his touches on those through balls all wrong, but He worked hard, finished 2/3 he should've finished...and kept making those really clever little runs in and behind defenders. 

 
Other than the last 15, the US were really second best by a bit for me. Sloppy, especially going forward and lots of inconsistency other than Dest and Richards... And Ponykal to a degree. Tbh, based on the thread I was hoping for more.

But they worked hard, capitalized on their chances and showed a handful of things I liked.

Liked a few of the central MFs charging into space with the ball when given the opportunity. Weah has some intangibles receiving the ball- useful, planned 1st touch, zippy Pace with that first step/touch, good vision, and fantastic movement after releasing the ball. And then it all goes away...which is what's so frustrating. 

 
El Floppo said:
Other than the last 15, the US were really second best by a bit for me. Sloppy, especially going forward and lots of inconsistency
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I felt the same way.  And Diaby was a man among boys.  

(OTOH, if you beat the best team in the world on a sloppy, inconsistent day...)

 
Wow.  Just got to watch it.  Had to work so I couldn't watch live, but wow.  I am going to be drinking a few happy beers tonight.  Well done Yutes!

So, completely unexpected.  That France team is so so good.  That's a team that would've beaten us 5-1 in the past and maybe could've/should've today as well?  However, for the first time in maybe ever?  I would happily say that we weren't completely outclassed by what is easily a top 3 team in the world.  Not only did we play very well today, but we even had players that looked like they belonged at this level of play.  

For as good as Diaby, Zagadou, Cuisance and the rest were, they didn't completely outclass us.  Pomykal, Weah, and especially Dest and Richards looked every bit as good IMO, although admittedly I have rose colored glasses.  However, Dest WAS the best player on the pitch and that is with me trying to be objective.  Every single attack that came down his side got stopped, which surprised me as I would've thought of him in a similar vein to Yedlin before this as an all attack/little defense fullback.  Very happily surprised to see his defensive prowess in this game.  

Richards is gonna be good.   I really hope Bayern figure out how to develop him right, because he could be a world class defender if they do so.

 
ESPN is reporting that it is not only Soto that Hannover is having trouble signing, but that Gloster has a chance to move as well.  Lets hope they find some good opportunities.   There play in the U20 WC should help find some suitors. 

 
El Floppo said:
Honestly...easily could have been 3-1 France at half time, and that wouldnt have been undeserved. US have been really sloppy going forward, especially the play on the flanks.
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There was the free header, but otherwise I didn't see France have any  non-scoring chance that was any better than Ledesma's chance.  And maybe not better than Weah's.

 
So here are my belated thoughts 

France had some outrageously talented players and they did many things very, very well.  But the US identified what France did not do well, and exploited it ruthlessly. From the analysis I’ve seen, the US produced more xG, because France really struggled with transition defense and with tracking Soto (the pk decision that could have gone either way makes that a little misleading though)  

The US also played incredibly bravely. They pressed for 2/3 of the game. At times France broke that press with some breathtaking stuff playing out of the back, but it eventually wore on them mentally, particularly when Rennicks went kamikaze and Pomykal found his second wind and morphed into Kante in the clutch. He was a ball-winning  machine. 

Last totally unoriginal thought. Brady Scott must have compromising pictures of Tab on his phone. 

 
NewlyRetired said:
ESPN is reporting that it is not only Soto that Hannover is having trouble signing, but that Gloster has a chance to move as well.  Lets hope they find some good opportunities.   There play in the U20 WC should help find some suitors. 
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ESPN also reporting that Dortmund is keeping a close eye on the Soto situation.  That would be most excellent.  

 
Speaking of overrated USMNT prospects...

Has Weah every been tried in the middle?  He's got such great touch and seems to be a clever passer as well.  Could he play as a front-foot #10?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
So here are my belated thoughts 

France had some outrageously talented players and they did many things very, very well.  But the US identified what France did not do well, and exploited it ruthlessly. From the analysis I’ve seen, the US produced more xG, because France really struggled with transition defense and with tracking Soto (the pk decision that could have gone either way makes that a little misleading though)  

The US also played incredibly bravely. They pressed for 2/3 of the game. At times France broke that press with some breathtaking stuff playing out of the back, but it eventually wore on them mentally, particularly when Rennicks went kamikaze and Pomykal found his second wind and morphed into Kante in the clutch. He was a ball-winning  machine. 

Last totally unoriginal thought. Brady Scott must have compromising pictures of Tab on his phone. 
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great stuff, scoob.

I was less than glowing about the US yesterday in my drinks. I was giving the US the game because France scuffed it, but you're right about all of that... even if France did scuff their glaring chances (and there weren't that many... but enough for them to put in 3-5 and not feel undeserved, IMO).

I do think the US was sloppier than normal- especially on the flanks with some poor decisions and giveaways. but the spine held- and the heart held. and whatever it is that rennicks has, held. after that last water break, the US went for it on all fronts- not always pretty or successful, but ultimately grabbed the game. Pomy was amazing in that stretch, and Weah found his typically occasional moment to let the upper level ceiling out.

and the US has some guys in the MF- names escaping me- who have moments of real ability on the ball... enough to break down even the french players. but seem young in physique, inconsistent, and a bit soft defensively to be viable pros at this point. 

Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Maybe I'm becoming addled in my dotage, but I don't see anything in Soto that screams "CL-level-player".
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I mentioned it before- but I'm loving his ability to see and get to those little pockets of space- some great runs and great timing... that's been consistent from what I've seen of him. also have to give him credit for finishing those goals when his set up touches should have led to him getting clod-hobbered by the defenders- both times gets the ball perfectly backwards and opened up to the defenders instead of in front with his body between defender and ball. but outside of those two things- granted, both important things- yeah... genuinely not seeing the rest. 

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Speaking of overrated USMNT prospects...

Has Weah every been tried in the middle?  He's got such great touch and seems to be a clever passer as well.  Could he play as a front-foot #10?
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his inconsistency would scare me having him in the middle. also, he seems like a guy that wants the room and dearth of decisions that the flanks give. but maybe the middle would force him into the game more... honestly dunno.

 
Ned said:
From a US perspective, is it just the simple fact of the striker pool being so thin that anyone putting in the goals gets everyone excited?
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He makes intelligent runs and is composed.  Whether the other physical tools are they is a big TBD, but it’s not shocking to me that some team would want to see.  It’s the reverse of Weah in some ways, who has all the physical gifts but seems to get lost off the ball.

 
Sammy3469 said:
He makes intelligent runs and is composed.  Whether the other physical tools are they is a big TBD, but it’s not shocking to me that some team would want to see.  It’s the reverse of Weah in some ways, who has all the physical gifts but seems to get lost off the ball.
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dunno about the composed- but he is finishing his chances, which is the bottom line... and certainly suggests some kind of composure

 
I hope he gets a chance to play tonight.  I have read that Lletget may be hurt so that may open up a chance if true.

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

“He's one of those Weston McKennie-type of players where you can put him anywhere on the field and he can hold his own.” - Gregg Berhalter on Duane Holmes.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Speaking of overrated USMNT prospects...

Has Weah every been tried in the middle?  He's got such great touch and seems to be a clever passer as well.  Could he play as a front-foot #10?
Click to expand...
The problem with his first touch is that it ranges from great to Brek Shea.   

One thing that seems now really evident to me that I did not see before in Weah is that when he is facing the goal and attacking, he is really good.   When he has to accept a ball with his back to goal and do something positive with it, that is when he seems to have his loose touches.

 
I assume we can make a fairly gigantic read on the final US roster for the Gold Cup based on the team that dresses tonight.

I believe only Adams and Pulisic are missing from camp from the healthy players so I figure the Gold Cup roster will be the roster we see tonight with two players being dropped for Adams and Pulisic.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Speaking of overrated USMNT prospects...

Has Weah every been tried in the middle?  He's got such great touch and seems to be a clever passer as well.  Could he play as a front-foot #10?
Click to expand...
He is one of the few players on this side creating chances.

the Weah hate has gone way overboard 

 
I appreciate Weah’s moments of brilliance but like others I find his lack of consistency troubling.  I don’t hate him but he just doesn’t warm my cockles like he does for Trip

Soto certainly doesn’t pass the eye test but you can’t argue with the results.  Some players have that knack for scoring and until that well drys up he has to lead the line.  

And more Llanez please

 
I wish US Soccer would release at least the roster for tonight to make a guess at the starting lineup.  With 29 players in camp, this could go a million different ways.

 
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