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US Men's National Team (10 Viewers)

Just finished watching USA-Panama.  Thought the referee was pretty lax towards Panama.  The no-call against Mihailovic was surprising, there should have been a card on the defender who just threw down Pulisic late, and the high kick against Jozy was also card-worthy.  No real standout performances for the red, white and blue, though I thought Miazga and Morris were pretty solid.  The service from the wings was terrible tonight - plenty of chances to play some dangerous crosses into the box and they were either not taken or poorly delivered.  Glad to get the win and what should be an easier matchup in the knockout round.

 
More observations:

1. Patrick Mahomes was there. We love him. Dude shows up for stuff like this, including Sporting games.

2. Appreciate Haltertop throwing us a bone and putting Pulisic out there. Clearly they threw him out wide left and ran nothing toward him to keep him safe. But it was a class move by our coach.

3. Tyler Boyd - I REALLY like this guy. He's emerging big time. Just in a few moments with the ball at his feet - he keeps that ball so tight to his feet while he navigates through traffic...whoa. I can see a future with him and Pulisic.

4. Altidore. He was basically a statue. Very few runs, but I guess that was intended. Our midfield couldn't do anything with him anyway, so I guess it was a good way to work him back in. The bicycle kick was sweet though - happened right in front of us.

5. Cannon - doesn't belong here, other than the fact he made some pretty sweet runs all night. That guy was at least working. He just really has no crossing or passing skill. He should not be on this roster, and probably won't be.

6. Miazga - again, the man of the match for me. Not even close. So composed and cleaned up a ton of messes back there. Always, and I mean always was in the right position.

7. Morris - there is really no reason for him on this team other than we need forwards. Him and Altidore out there is a disaster. I've NEVER been a fan of his - you can just tell this dude just has no heart for soccer. Just makes me sad - if I would have had half his talent with the passion in how I played the game....man.....

8. I mentioned the off foot for these guys during pre-game warmups - this is a massive pet peeve of mine. How do you get to this level and shoot that weak-### sheeeeit like Altidore in the first half? I'll never forget when I was 6 years old one of my coaches told me - you will never be a good player if you cannot kick with your left foot. I spent an entire summer in my backyard kicking literally 1000 balls exclusively with my left foot. One of the things I always did well as a soccer player was pass and shoot the same pace with both feet. Despicable at the level these guys are playing at.

9. Kansas City should be embarrassed. In a stadium that holds about 20K including standing room only, this game only drew about 17,500. Sad. So sad. KC can kiss their aspirations of holding a World Cup game here goodbye. Rumors are that it probably wasn't going to happen anyway. But after tonight - no way in hell.

It was fun - a great night with my family to watch our team. Rare in these parts. Just awesome.

 
ChiefD said:
More observations:

1. Patrick Mahomes was there. We love him. Dude shows up for stuff like this, including Sporting games.

2. Appreciate Haltertop throwing us a bone and putting Pulisic out there. Clearly they threw him out wide left and ran nothing toward him to keep him safe. But it was a class move by our coach.

3. Tyler Boyd - I REALLY like this guy. He's emerging big time. Just in a few moments with the ball at his feet - he keeps that ball so tight to his feet while he navigates through traffic...whoa. I can see a future with him and Pulisic.

4. Altidore. He was basically a statue. Very few runs, but I guess that was intended. Our midfield couldn't do anything with him anyway, so I guess it was a good way to work him back in. The bicycle kick was sweet though - happened right in front of us.

5. Cannon - doesn't belong here, other than the fact he made some pretty sweet runs all night. That guy was at least working. He just really has no crossing or passing skill. He should not be on this roster, and probably won't be.

6. Miazga - again, the man of the match for me. Not even close. So composed and cleaned up a ton of messes back there. Always, and I mean always was in the right position.

7. Morris - there is really no reason for him on this team other than we need forwards. Him and Altidore out there is a disaster. I've NEVER been a fan of his - you can just tell this dude just has no heart for soccer. Just makes me sad - if I would have had half his talent with the passion in how I played the game....man.....

8. I mentioned the off foot for these guys during pre-game warmups - this is a massive pet peeve of mine. How do you get to this level and shoot that weak-### sheeeeit like Altidore in the first half? I'll never forget when I was 6 years old one of my coaches told me - you will never be a good player if you cannot kick with your left foot. I spent an entire summer in my backyard kicking literally 1000 balls exclusively with my left foot. One of the things I always did well as a soccer player was pass and shoot the same pace with both feet. Despicable at the level these guys are playing at.

9. Kansas City should be embarrassed. In a stadium that holds about 20K including standing room only, this game only drew about 17,500. Sad. So sad. KC can kiss their aspirations of holding a World Cup game here goodbye. Rumors are that it probably wasn't going to happen anyway. But after tonight - no way in hell.

It was fun - a great night with my family to watch our team. Rare in these parts. Just awesome.
Click to expand...
I replied to the off-foot thing earlier... I really do think it's a trend.

But jozy...yeah, he should have done better there- he clubbed it. But we, or I at least, wanted him to get minutes tonight to shake the rust off ..and that left club was covered in it. But I loved the run and first touch. And I mentioned that he seemed to be finding the game more and more, especially after the goal where was showing back really well for the ball.

 
The kid simply has no clue what it means to be a pro.  :( . It seems like a different issue every week

===========

Doug Roberson‏Verified account @DougRobersonAJC

#ATLUTD has a 6-man bench tonight b/c Carleton didn't have his passport when he met the team for the trip

 
Most of these points were already made but here are my two cents:

* Miazga was by far and away man of the match.  Good in the air, good passing, solid defense.  Just clean all around

* If it was not clear before tonight, I hope after this performance, coupled with the friendlies, that Berhalter sees that Roldan and Milhailovic together are not good enough.  Scooby mentioned that they should easily be bumped by a Paxton/Holmes midfield as the backups to Pulisic and Weston,  and that makes a lot of sense.

* Roldan does ok picking up some loose balls but his ability to win any sort of physical battle is nil.  And for a guy that looks like he should be a good passer, he has way too many unforced errors.

* Hey look, another LB that is not the answer.    We don't need friggan Maldini out there, just a left footed version of Lima would be a god send at this point.  It is beyond comical.

* I appreciate the need for veterans in camp and in the locker room, but dear god is Gonzo so past his due date.  The guy was not that mobile even in his prime.   Now he looks like a lawn chair that folds and unfolds as he runs.  He is clearly not comfortable on the ball.  Luckily even if Brooks continues his lack of health streak, I feel pretty good with Long, Miazga and Zimmerman as our CB's.

* Is it me or does Jozy look "big" again?  I don't mean fat, I mean overly muscled.   I always thought he played better when he kept his body leaner.

 
I was trying to think of US left backs over the years.  I am having a hard time remembering a natural lb who played a lot.  Bornstein maybe?

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

Converted right sided players: Caliguiri, Harkes, Frankie, Chandler

Converted midfielders: Lewis, DMB, Fab, Castillo

Converted CB's: Agoos, Boca, Besler, Ream

 
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El Floppo said:
I prefer miazga, tbh. But I like longs pace. Also feels like Brooks and miazga play similar games and both turn off against the little diagonal runs that concacaf opponents do so well...long is better for adding cover of that 
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This was pretty much my thoughts about it.  Brooks is obviously far and away our best CB, so if he's healthy he starts.   Then I would start either Long or Miazga based on who we're playing.  If we're playing a team with fast forwards that like to try through ball after through ball?  Get the quicker Long in there to cut that off.  If we're playing a team that likes to bomb it down the outside and send in crosses?  Start Miazga to take advantage of his superior aerial game.  

 
Poke_4_Life said:
So...  could we go w/ Lima at LB and Yedlin at RB?  (Or Adams if this fun little experiment of a RB/CM isn't over.)
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But Lima at LB is the same issue we always have.   He looks significantly less comfortable offensively when at LB at SJ. 

 
Poke_4_Life said:
Still better than Ream tho.  And if he's playing it at SJ maybe he gets better?  
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True.

As an aside, Lovitz is annoying me.  He is an every day lb who looks scared of the position.  These opportunities come once, maybe twice, in a marginal international players career.   Just leave everything you have on the field.   Passing backwards every single time you face any sort of resistance is so bad.   While Cannon was not great, at least he tried to get forward and create something.

 
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I've been thinking about our MF lineup if Adams was healthy.  (Assuming the Adams RB/CM experiment is done.)

What do we think about having Swag at the top of a diamond w/ Adams and Bradley playing CDM?  I've been ready to give up on Bradley but he's done fairly well in this tourney.  If we had Swag and Adams around him would that cover up enough of his (lack of) speed issues?  Can Swag be that CAM that we seem to lack?  CP at RM/RW, Jozy at striker, ??? at LM/LW.  

 
Poke_4_Life said:
I've been thinking about our MF lineup if Adams was healthy.  (Assuming the Adams RB/CM experiment is done.)

What do we think about having Swag at the top of a diamond w/ Adams and Bradley playing CDM?  I've been ready to give up on Bradley but he's done fairly well in this tourney.  If we had Swag and Adams around him would that cover up enough of his (lack of) speed issues?  Can Swag be that CAM that we seem to lack?  CP at RM/RW, Jozy at striker, ??? at LM/LW.  
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I like Pulisic as a winger, but one of the issues with that is right now he has the mandate to go wherever he wants.  If he's stuck out on the wing, then a team can deny him any service and our best player doesn't get to be as involved.  Now, if those three can play well enough together in the midfield to force defenses to open up the wing, then yes it could be deadly, but that's no given.  The only given we do have is that we need to get Pulisic the ball as often as possible if we want to score and playing the 10 has allowed us to do that.

 
Poke_4_Life said:
I've been thinking about our MF lineup if Adams was healthy.  (Assuming the Adams RB/CM experiment is done.)

What do we think about having Swag at the top of a diamond w/ Adams and Bradley playing CDM?  I've been ready to give up on Bradley but he's done fairly well in this tourney.  If we had Swag and Adams around him would that cover up enough of his (lack of) speed issues?  Can Swag be that CAM that we seem to lack?  CP at RM/RW, Jozy at striker, ??? at LM/LW.  
Click to expand...
I think this is what I've been saying straight along. was just talking with a friend- and not sure why I didn't think of the comparison (probably because it's not too apt), but let caillou caillou- the way pirlo did. as long as adams is there to cover 80 yards in a pinch

..................................gk

yedlin/dest......mazda....brooks....yeesh/gloster

....................caillou.............adams

boyd.........................swag......................cp

.................................jozy

 
El Floppo said:
I think this is what I've been saying straight along. was just talking with a friend- and not sure why I didn't think of the comparison (probably because it's not too apt), but let caillou caillou- the way pirlo did. as long as adams is there to cover 80 yards in a pinch

..................................gk

yedlin/dest......mazda....brooks....yeesh/gloster

....................caillou.............adams

boyd.........................swag......................cp

.................................jozy
Click to expand...
Super-sub Weah 😀

 
El Floppo said:
I think this is what I've been saying straight along. was just talking with a friend- and not sure why I didn't think of the comparison (probably because it's not too apt), but let caillou caillou- the way pirlo did. as long as adams is there to cover 80 yards in a pinch

..................................gk

yedlin/dest......mazda....brooks....yeesh/gloster

....................caillou.............adams

boyd.........................swag......................cp

.................................jozy
Click to expand...
if this is looking out a couple of years, which it seems to be, I would like to see Weston replace Bradley and then Pomykal or Holmes replace Weston.

I think the formation is dead on for the squad we have.

 
Atlanta United's best beat reporter just reported that Atlanta is negotiating with Emerson Hyndman.

 
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Given how completely MEH our 2nd team is generally, there's a ton of opportunity out there for the young guys.  There could easily 6+ players not on this squad in Qatar.

ETA: in addition to the guys like Brooks, Adams -- missing with injury.

 
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Also, it pains me some to say this, but watching Jozy lumber around the field like a supercargo plane last night has me wondering if Zardes isn't more of a long-term thing.  It's a trade off to be sure, but may be one Berhalter's willing to make (at least until someone proves a better option).

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Also, it pains me some to say this, but watching Jozy lumber around the field like a supercargo plane last night has me wondering if Zardes isn't more of a long-term thing.  It's a trade off to be sure, but may be one Berhalter's willing to make (at least until someone proves a better option).
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There was really nothing for Jozy to do. It's not like anyone behind him was linking and passes or feeding him any quality.

Zardes is not a long term thing. He's dreadful when he's not accidentally winning a Puskas.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Also, it pains me some to say this, but watching Jozy lumber around the field like a supercargo plane last night has me wondering if Zardes isn't more of a long-term thing.  It's a trade off to be sure, but may be one Berhalter's willing to make (at least until someone proves a better option).
Click to expand...
Not a chance.  Jozy didn't have much service and he definitely was a little slow, but when he did get a pass, it hit his feet, he made a move and it got passed to an open guy.  This is literally the skill that we don't have with any other striker right now.  You add that skill to guys like Pulisic, McKennie, Boyd, and Arriola running in behind him and it's gonna lead to goals.  I don't know if this Gold Cup will be the stage for it because of his lack of fitness, but going forward it will be Jozy until one of the kids proves he should be first choice.

 
Agree with the guys who are willing to wait for Jozy to be flanked by Arriola and Boyd and fed by Pulisic and McKennie before passing judgment on his demise.

 
I like the confidence.  A not so veiled shot at Nips and others Berhalter calls

=========

Fafa Picault‏Verified account @Fafagoal23

I’ve been the highest scoring American winger for the 2 years I’ve been in this league. I’m not asking for ballon d’or but still, put some respect on it. Far from not satisfied, the peak hasn’t even been close to reached yet.

 
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Ives Galarcep‏Verified account @SoccerByIves

One American looking less likely to head to Germany is #DCU and #USMNT U-20 midfielder Chris Durkin. Multiple Bundesliga clubs interested but I’m told the $3 million price tag put on him by DCU (more than RB Leipzig paid for Tyler Adams) is pricing him out of a summer move

 
From goal.com

========

Bundesliga side SC Freiburg has made a summer transfer bid for Colorado Rapids teenager Cole Bassett, sources have confirmed to Goal.

The 17-year-old central midfielder has enjoyed a breakout season with the Colorado Rapids, earning regular minutes as one of the youngest players in Major League Soccer. Bassett has started nine matches for the Rapids in 2019, registering a goal and two assists.

Any transfer of Bassett to Freiburg would have to wait until July 28 — when Bassett turns 18 — to be finalized.

 
NewlyRetired said:
Ives Galarcep‏Verified account @SoccerByIves

One American looking less likely to head to Germany is #DCU and #USMNT U-20 midfielder Chris Durkin. Multiple Bundesliga clubs interested but I’m told the $3 million price tag put on him by DCU (more than RB Leipzig paid for Tyler Adams) is pricing him out of a summer move
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I assume that price-tag combined with his play in the u20s makes him less appealing.

 
NewlyRetired said:
From goal.com

========

Bundesliga side SC Freiburg has made a summer transfer bid for Colorado Rapids teenager Cole Bassett, sources have confirmed to Goal.

The 17-year-old central midfielder has enjoyed a breakout season with the Colorado Rapids, earning regular minutes as one of the youngest players in Major League Soccer. Bassett has started nine matches for the Rapids in 2019, registering a goal and two assists.

Any transfer of Bassett to Freiburg would have to wait until July 28 — when Bassett turns 18 — to be finalized.
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first time I've heard this kid's name... note-booked.

eta: until the next time I hear his name for the first time.

 
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El Floppo said:
first time I've heard this kid's name... note-booked..
Click to expand...
"You get an American, and you get an American and you get an American...."

Ives Galarcep‏Verified account @SoccerByIves

Another American teenager on his way to Germany is Quincy Butler. I’m told the Sacramento Republic and U.S. Under-18 national team forward is finalizing a move to Hoffenheim this summer, would start out with their U-19 team.

 
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El Floppo said:
I assume that price-tag combined with his play in the u20s makes him less appealing.
Click to expand...
The Red Bulls selling Adams for a low fee with a high sell on % may have set the market for young Yanks for the next few years until another breaks through or if Adams is sold for a large profit.

 
NewlyRetired said:
I like the confidence.  A not so veiled shot at Nips and others Berhalter calls

=========

Fafa Picault‏Verified account @Fafagoal23

I’ve been the highest scoring American winger for the 2 years I’ve been in this league. I’m not asking for ballon d’or but still, put some respect on it. Far from not satisfied, the peak hasn’t even been close to reached yet.
Click to expand...
Nips sucks.  Get his mediocrity out of the lineup ASAP is where I stand.

 
El Floppo said:
these kind of crazed line in the sand hyperbole statements really does make me think you're lhucks. 
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With no thought to tactical fit. Nips is the one winger (Lletget too if he hadn’t gotten hurt) who can play as the  when Pulisic wants to head to the flanks. I wish his final ball was more consistent too, but workrate and a Hugh soccer IQ matters too. 

 
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