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US Men's National Team (22 Viewers)

TripItUp said:
NewlyRetired said:
The talking heads ((Dempsey, Henry etc) discussing Pulisic and his situation. Some fair points made I think

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If he's "not good enough to play for Chelsea" then transfer him already. Ridiculous.
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This is Jamie Carragher speaking on a halftime pundit panel. My recollection is it was just a few months ago Carra said Pulisic was the best Chelsea attacker, better than Mount, Havertz, Werner, etc. Its entertainment, nothing to get worked up over.
 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
NewlyRetired said:
The talking heads ((Dempsey, Henry etc) discussing Pulisic and his situation. Some fair points made I think

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I guess my only question is what does it mean to be "good enough for Chelsea?" I'm not sure Pulisic is good enough for Chelsea, but I'm also not sure that Chelsea has any attacker that is good enough for Chelsea. Maybe Sterling. Certainly not Havertz or Ziyech. Mount has looked it at times, but he's as hot and cold as Pulisic. Since Hazard left Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku have all been deemed "not good enough for Chelsea." But aside from the CL run, there's not a ton of evidence that Chelsea has really consistently been a higher caliber team than Inter Milan or even Leipzig (I'll grant they've been better than Roma for the most part).

For all that, Chelsea has still scored more goals in Tuchel's last 50 games in charge than they did in his first 50. The big difference is the defense has been much worse, in part because Mendy has stopped looking like a candidate for the best keeper in the world.
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They scored I think 75 league goals last season, third most, but it was well spread out among 20 players or so, with lots of defender goals and no real focal point goal scorer in attack. I'm not sure how it breaks down for other teams, but for example Pulisic was tied for 4th most league goals in the club with 6.
 
NewlyRetired said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
NewlyRetired said:
The talking heads ((Dempsey, Henry etc) discussing Pulisic and his situation. Some fair points made I think

Click to expand...
I guess my only question is what does it mean to be "good enough for Chelsea?" I'm not sure Pulisic is good enough for Chelsea, but I'm also not sure that Chelsea has any attacker that is good enough for Chelsea. Maybe Sterling. Certainly not Havertz or Ziyech. Mount has looked it at times, but he's as hot and cold as Pulisic. Since Hazard left Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku have all been deemed "not good enough for Chelsea." But aside from the CL run, there's not a ton of evidence that Chelsea has really consistently been a higher caliber team than Inter Milan or even Leipzig (I'll grant they've been better than Roma for the most part).

For all that, Chelsea has still scored more goals in Tuchel's last 50 games in charge than they did in his first 50. The big difference is the defense has been much worse, in part because Mendy has stopped looking like a candidate for the best keeper in the world.
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The only person likely more happy than Pulisic with the sacking is Ziyech. The guy came to the team as one of the most dynamic players in the world and he currently barely looks like a pro. His confidence is shot
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I watched their game against Dinamo and Ziyech might've had the worst game I've ever seen from a professional footballer..... it's even worse when I remember what he used to be able to do on a field.
 
CletiusMaximus said:
TripItUp said:
NewlyRetired said:
The talking heads ((Dempsey, Henry etc) discussing Pulisic and his situation. Some fair points made I think

Click to expand...

If he's "not good enough to play for Chelsea" then transfer him already. Ridiculous.
Click to expand...

This is Jamie Carragher speaking on a halftime pundit panel. My recollection is it was just a few months ago Carra said Pulisic was the best Chelsea attacker, better than Mount, Havertz, Werner, etc. Its entertainment, nothing to get worked up over.
Click to expand...
Also have to take into consideration that Jamie Carragher HATES Chelsea, so anything he says about them or their players needs to be tempered. Henry had a better point about proving yourself on the field and we need to see CP do that for sure, but there's a reason Henry failed as a coach too, because he apparently expects everyone to have the same personality and drive as he did as a player and that's just not reality.
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
A+ answer from Berhalter here IMO.

Every time Doyle posts an MLS highlight my first reaction is that there's zero pressure on the ball and the offense has all day to decide what to do. Staying tight and compact and around the ball doesn't have to mean "pressing" either.
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MLS is either decades away or more likely never to have high pressure on ball games.

There is a very good reason WC1994 has the least running and pressing/energy of any WC. It is near impossible to do in the conditions the teams play in.

The difference between playing in 50 degree rain in England and a 100 degrees in Texas is a gap that can’t be bridged in terms of energy level.

Almost every single Euro player who plays in MLS comments on how difficult the conditions are.
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
NewlyRetired said:
Almost every single Euro player who plays in MLS comments on how difficult the conditions are.
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Yeah, that's why I mentioned that it doesn't have to be a press. Just move as a unit and keep the lines connected better. Don't turn the ball over at bad times, in bad spots, etc.
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From an entertainment point of view I prefer the wide open play but I acknowledge it is not the way the game is played at the highest levels.
 
Some recent GGG stuff
===========

“I’m not happy a guy lost his job. But if this means more opportunity for Christian, then it’s positive because he’s a guy that’s proven that he can perform at that level," Berhalter said Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

====

Berhalter plans to announce a roster of 26 or 27 players on Sept. 14 for the Americans’ final two pre-World Cup exhibitions, against Japan at Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 23 and vs. Saudi Arabia four days later at Murcia, Spain. He will announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9.

====

He said his Cup roster is about 85% settled, meaning just four spots remain open if no one else gets hurt.

“I’m sure there’s not going to be anything drastic, but there may be a couple of guys that pop up,” Berhalter said.

===

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen has missed three straight games for Middlesbrough with a knee injury.

“We’ll just see what he does this weekend," Berhalter said. “We’re just getting information on a daily basis.”
 
NewlyRetired said:
There is a very good reason WC1994 has the least running and pressing/energy of any WC. It is near impossible to do in the conditions the teams play in.

The difference between playing in 50 degree rain in England and a 100 degrees in Texas is a gap that can’t be bridged in terms of energy level.
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WC2014 in Brazil had some really hot and very humid games.
 
joffer said:
How was Turner for Arsenal? Heard he had a bad giveaway.
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I watched the first half. He did have a bad giveaway where he could have kicked it long. He ultimately made the wrong decision but he showed confidence in trying to make a tight pass in the penalty area.
He went the wrong way on aPK. Other than that it was a quiet half
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
The Steffan thing is a blessing in disguise IMO. Going to make it a LOT easier for Berhalter to do what he should do. I really don't think he's our best GK.
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Agreed. While it would be AWESOME to have an elite "play it out of the back" goal keeper, I just dont think its that big of a deal.

We're probably not going to lose a game because our goal keeper can't pass. We could obviously lose a game if our GK mis-handles a backpass, but I think Turner has shown that he's at least SOMEWHAT capable there.

We could absolutely lose a game because our GK misses a stoppable shot or takes a bad angle on a cross. And we all know Steffen is much more likely to do that than Turner.

I had high hopes for Steffen a few years ago. But his development clearly stalled and he hasn't been sharp for a long time. IMO, Turner (if he's healthy and looks good in training) should be between the sticks in Qatar. Give me our best shot stopper and figure out everything else later.
 
Speaking of playing time, the Europa game between Arsenal and PSV has been postponed due to lack of police in London. This was a game Turner may likely have played in too :(
 
Jesus had a brace this weekend giving him 18 on the year. The 18 ties the all time FC Dallas record for most goals in a season (Kreis(1999) and Cooper(2008) also had 18)
 
September roster release. Pretty happy, but we really need to be over Jordan Morris. And at the expense of Pefok no less.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Luton Town/ENG; 8/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 10/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 18/0)


DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 27/1), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 11/0), Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 17/2), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 27/3), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 8/0), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 2/0), Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp/BEL; 8/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 74/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 31/3)


MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 52/2), Tyler Adams (Leeds United/ENG; 30/1), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 11/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 35/9), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 19/0), Malik Tillman (Rangers/SCO; 2/0)


FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 22/6), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 47/10), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 13/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 48/11), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen/NED; 11/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 51/21), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 12/4), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 19/3)
 
Swap in Jedi for Cannon and Weah for Morris and this is probably the roster for Qatar. I would tend to favor Pefok over Pepi, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Edit - Now I'm seeing Pefok has missed the last two games injured and was a known scratch, so that explains it a little more. Still think Pefok and Pepi could be fighting for the last 'striker' spot.
 
Poke_4_Life said:
Swap in Jedi for Cannon and Weah for Morris and this is probably the roster for Qatar. I would tend to favor Pefok over Pepi, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Edit - Now I'm seeing Pefok has missed the last two games injured and was a known scratch, so that explains it a little more. Still think Pefok and Pepi could be fighting for the last 'striker' spot.
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I would think jedi replaces one of scally/Vines, not cannon.
 
Poke_4_Life said:
Swap in Jedi for Cannon and Weah for Morris and this is probably the roster for Qatar. I would tend to favor Pefok over Pepi, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Edit - Now I'm seeing Pefok has missed the last two games injured and was a known scratch, so that explains it a little more. Still think Pefok and Pepi could be fighting for the last 'striker' spot.
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If I had to guess, Robinson and Weah back in are the only changes to the WC roster from here.

Cannon is probably a lock. I think Scally and Vines are fighting for who still has a spot with Antonee back.

Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
 
One thing to keep in mind about this roster. There is no limit to players. So if there was someone else Berhalter was considering, he would have been free to bring him into camp. For instance, I think Mexico called 30 guys.

So no Vasquez, Mihailovic, Sands, EPB, Haji, and the like means they likely have no shot at Qatar.
 
prefontaine said:
Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
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He only played 75mins and it was his first game back from injury. Wouldn't surprised me if Union Berlin asked he not be called for friendlies. Bundes teams have a history of not wanting to release players.
 
Poke_4_Life said:
prefontaine said:
Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
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He only played 75mins and it was his first game back from injury. Wouldn't surprised me if Union Berlin asked he not be called for friendlies. Bundes teams have a history of not wanting to release players.
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Also it's possible he's already got a spot and Pepi/Sargent are competing this camp for the 3rd striker.
 
kneeshooter said:
Also it's possible he's already got a spot and Pepi/Sargent are competing this camp for the 3rd striker.
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I hope GGG provides some color on his choices in pressers before the games. He may not say it that clearly, but may say 'X player would have been called if healthy and is in our plans for Qatar'.
 
kneeshooter said:
Poke_4_Life said:
prefontaine said:
Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
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He only played 75mins and it was his first game back from injury. Wouldn't surprised me if Union Berlin asked he not be called for friendlies. Bundes teams have a history of not wanting to release players.
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Also it's possible he's already got a spot and Pepi/Sargent are competing this camp for the 3rd striker.
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This seems unpossible. He also wasn't called over the summer.

He has played really well for club but he's never once put in a good performance in a USMNT shirt. The idea that he has a spot locked up so we don't need to see more/integrate him to the style seems crazy.
 
Pepi over Pefok is the big surprise to me.

Honestly, Pepi over Vasquez is a surprise. I get that Pepi has been with the team before but the guy has not seen the back of the net in an eternity. He did not score in his last 4 months with Dallas. He did not score at Ausburgh and he has not yet scored on loan in Holland.

GGG went out of his way to say the strikers would be chosen based on form. This makes no sense. Even Haji appears to be in better form.
 
prefontaine said:
Poke_4_Life said:
prefontaine said:
Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
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He only played 75mins and it was his first game back from injury. Wouldn't surprised me if Union Berlin asked he not be called for friendlies. Bundes teams have a history of not wanting to release players.
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He subs out every game. I don't think he's gone 90 minutes this season yet.
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you are correct, he has not yet.

78, 70, 62, 71, 75

Fairly typical numbers for a starting striker these days.
 
prefontaine said:
kneeshooter said:
Poke_4_Life said:
prefontaine said:
Pefok started over the weekend so I don't think he was left out due to injury.
Click to expand...
He only played 75mins and it was his first game back from injury. Wouldn't surprised me if Union Berlin asked he not be called for friendlies. Bundes teams have a history of not wanting to release players.
Click to expand...
Also it's possible he's already got a spot and Pepi/Sargent are competing this camp for the 3rd striker.
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This seems unpossible. He also wasn't called over the summer.

He has played really well for club but he's never once put in a good performance in a USMNT shirt. The idea that he has a spot locked up so we don't need to see more/integrate him to the style seems crazy.
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You're probably (most likely) right, just trying to make sense of it all. Silly me.

Here's what GGG had to say about Pefok. So he knows what he can do and he's been great. So......?

Kyle Bonn

@the_bonnfire

Berhalter on Jordan Pefok: "We know what Jordan can do, he's been great in the Bundesliga, and we just went with someone else in this camp...we didn't want to just give up on Pepi."
 
kneeshooter said:
More from Berhalter:

Meg Swanick
@Meg_Swanick

He goes on to name specific players who could earn their way onto the team, including: Zack Steffen, Gaga Slonina, James Sands, Tim Ream, EPB, Matt Miazga, Mark McKenzie, Shaq Moore, Johnny Cardoso, Eryk Williamson, Jordan Pefok, Haji Wright & Brandon Vasquez
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ok, wow. Steffen is not on the plane yet...........wow.......(even thugh I don't like him as a keeper I thought for sure he was no worse than #3).

All the rest seem to make sense as still have a ways to go.

I do think we are so overloaded at the wing, that brining both Morris and Nips on the 26 is overkill. I would prefer to see either Vasquez or Pefok as another striker.
 
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