US Men's National Team (11 Viewers)

[prefontaine]

no surprises so far

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

Steven Goff
https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider
@SoccerInsider

Gregg Berhalter says Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman will partner in central defense vs Japan. #usmnt

I feel bad saying this but I hope Long has a nightmare of game. The few times I’ve seen him this year he’s been pedestrian at best. I don’t want him anywhere near the pitch in November.
I know GGG is dealing with injuries but not loving this CB combo.

this is something I deal with constantly. Like you, I don't really want Long playing but I struggle with the fear of some serious karma in hoping a player fails because I fear the next guy up may make me regret it.

The problem for me here is while I don't think Long is our best option, I can't say definitely he is not. He's looked a shell of himself since coming back. Is it rustiness? Or is it the permanent new norm?

It's not like we could do much expirementing in WCQ because we didn't run away with it. Once the Zimm/Miles pairing clicked, that was the end of it. And then over the summer, Long got all four starts and didn't have an abject disaster and no one else stood out as great. So I think barring injury, it's Zimm/Long. Get them as much time together as possible and hope for the best.

Note: I discount Richards quite a bit. He's played 4 games for the USMNT in the last 12 months (Long did that in June), is missing this critical window, and isn't really getting game time for his club. Additionally I'd point out that those 4 MNT games, only 2 were paired with Zimmerman. I think he was behind Long coming into this window and now there is really no way for him to play himself in (likely only Long can play himself out).

 

[NewlyRetired]

another non surprise. Seems like he can absolutely get himself on the plane with a good performance this week

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

U.S. Men's National Soccer Team

@USMNT

Gregg Berhalter confirms that Sam Vines will start tomorrow versus Japan.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I sometimes enjoy bringing up random US U17 WC rosters to see who made it and who didn't.

2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup squads - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The two big names at the time were Mario Rodriguez and Alejandro Guido. Mario kicked around Germany before leaving the sport in his early 20's. Guido was in Mexico for many years as a fringe player and is now in the USL Championship with San Diego playing for Landon.

Two members of this team will likely be on the plane to Qatar in Nips as well as the baby of this team in Acosta (always keep an eye on the youngest in the U17 teams, this happened before with Convey and Adams as well being the youngest on their teams to then going on to be full national team players).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Manuel Veth

@ManuelVeth
#USMNT eligible DC United talent Gavin Turner is one to watch. Sources tell @Transfermarkt that the 15-year-old has several offers from #Bundesliga clubs. The attacking midfielder could be the latest young talent to be given his debut by Wayne Rooney

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Gareth Bale is on the bench for Wales in a UEFA Nations League game against Belgium today. I don't really know Wales normal lineup, but would say the Belgians are running out an A- or maybe B+ team. Belgium leads 2-1 early second half.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Gareth Bale is on the bench for Wales in a UEFA Nations League game against Belgium today. I don't really know Wales normal lineup, but would say the Belgians are running out an A- or maybe B+ team. Belgium leads 2-1 early second half.

I saw the Wales goal. It was pretty

Dubz

 

[NewlyRetired]

this could be good

=====================
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@MenInBlazers


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[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Starting lineup tomorrow? Certainly makes sense and I think most folks here would be happy.

(Don't know the account, but seems tied into the USMNT Twitterati and has a lot of followers.)

 

[NewlyRetired]

Starting lineup tomorrow? Certainly makes sense and I think most folks here would be happy.

(Don't know the account, but seems tied into the USMNT Twitterati and has a lot of followers.)

I would enjoy watching that line up but I would be surprised to see Sargent over Jesus. I think GGG loves Jesus but maybe Sargent popped in camp...

 

[El Floppo]

The game is on ESPN 2 at 8:30?

My tv guide doesn't show it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The game is on ESPN 2 at 8:30?

Yes

 

[El Floppo]

The game is on ESPN 2 at 8:30?

Yes

My guide shows CFL

 

[NewlyRetired]

The game is on ESPN 2 at 8:30?

Yes

My guide shows CFL

ESPN2 - TV Listings Guide

www.ontvtonight.com

 

[NewlyRetired]

Starting Lineup is

..............Turner

Dest...Zimm...Long...Vines

Weston------Tyler......Luca

Gio---------Jesus---------Aaronson

 

[NewlyRetired]

Starting Lineup is

..............Turner

Dest...Zimm...Long...Vines

Weston------Tyler......Luca

Gio---------Jesus---------Aaronson

wow, no Pulisic starting.....I don't know the formation, I just listed the names

 

[NewlyRetired]

Starting Lineup is

..............Turner

Dest...Zimm...Long...Vines

Weston------Tyler......Luca

Gio---------Jesus---------Aaronson

wow, no Pulisic starting.....I don't know the formation, I just listed the names

ok, he took a knock

U.S. Men's National Soccer Team

@USMNT

Christian Pulisic is off today’s roster because of a knock he took in training earlier this week. He will be evaluated day-to-day for his availability to play against Saudi Arabia on Sept. 27 in Murcia, Spain.

 

[NewlyRetired]

does not sound serious

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

Steven Goff

@SoccerInsider

If this had been a World Cup game, Pulisic would've been in uniform. It's not, so he's not. USSF says coaching staff was in contact with Chelsea throughout process.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So looks like our injury luck continues into our last prep games. Three almost certain starters are missing, which was par for the course in qualifying.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The game is on ESPN 2 at 8:30?

Yes

My guide shows CFL

8:30 am

 

[NewlyRetired]

kick off is at 8:26 for those thinking to tune in at 8:30.

 

[The Z Machine]

Vines and Long eh?

Not loving that. I guess these are guys that know "the system".

 

[NewlyRetired]

Vines and Long eh?

Not loving that. I guess these are guys that know "the system".

No LB has emerged behind Jedi and Vines is having a very strong season so he seems to have a big chance today to get on the plane.

Richards and CCV pulled out of camp with injuries which leaves only EPB and McKenzie besides Long to play next to Zimm, and I think GGG likes Long to begin with.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

4 starters -- Miles. Though the drop from CP to Gio or Aaronson isn't all that big.

 

[The Z Machine]

No LB has emerged behind Jedi

Yeah, cuz Scally has had tons of chances with the USMNT.

leaves only EPB and McKenzie besides Long to play next to Zimm

And whose fault is that when they leave Ream off the roster?

 

[TripleThreat]

It's ridiculous that Pefok isn't in camp.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

What was Vines doing there? The ball was never getting to him and he just waited for the defender to take it and break.

 

[The Z Machine]

It's ridiculous that Pefok isn't in camp.

USSF can't afford to pay for flights and hotel accommodations for every eligible player. Pefok had to fly all the way from... Berlin! That's like 500km!

Besides, what's this guy done this season? 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 Bundie games? Pssh, that's nothing. Look at Pepi, who's got 1 goal and 1 assist in a weaker, higher scoring league!

 

[El Floppo]

No LB has emerged behind Jedi

Yeah, cuz Scally has had tons of chances with the USMNT.

leaves only EPB and McKenzie besides Long to play next to Zimm

And whose fault is that when they leave Ream off the roster?

Scally is a RB, fwiw. And GGG spoke specifically about Ream and needing a pacier CB to pair with Zimm. Only reason he's off...pretty legit reason.

I liked what I saw of Vines before he left the US. Not loved, but he showed some good all around ability on both sides of the ball...I thought he was fighting for 3-4th LB before he left. By all accounts he's having an even better season in Europe (Belgium?), so moving up to fighting for 2/3rd LB sounds right.

Long? Meh. He's been ok since the injury but not jumpy&quo US starter for me, the way I thought he was prior to the injury (and before Miles). He's capable, knows the system and still has a little pace. From what I've seen, I'd love to get a look at EPB with the starters, but awfully late to throw a new guy into the mix.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh ****...the game is AM?!?!!!

 

[TripleThreat]

passing is less than crisp thus far

 

[TripleThreat]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

Should have buried that one.

 

[TripleThreat]

passing is less than crisp thus far

can't really blame the pitch on some of these...

 

[TLEF316]

garbage giveaway. deserved goal for Japan. We look terrible

 

[PIK95]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

That was awful. Even worse on the replay. I would cut a guy over that miss myself.

 

[El Floppo]

Yeah...amateurish so far vs a competent Japan side.

 

[El Floppo]

Off to work...will watch the rest later.

But so far...yeesh. from everybody. Even team shape is rough.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

28th minute and I've lost count of the horrific giveaways, dribbles into triple teams, traps straight out of bounds or to a Japanese player. Not the team's finest moment so far.

 

[PIK95]

Will it be a fast pitch in the hot dry climate of Qatar? God I hope so. We look so bad. Someone is losing their job if they don't turn it around by the end of Tueaday. Get these guys a half time stein!

 

[El Floppo]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

That was awful.

Talking about the missed header?

 

[TripleThreat]

Will it be a fast pitch in the hot dry climate of Qatar? God I hope so. We look so bad. Someone is losing their job if they don't turn it around by the end of Tueaday. Get these guys a half time stein!

IIRC Qatar imported sod from the US

 

[PIK95]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

That was awful.

Talking about the missed header?

Yeah, that can't happen. I rewatched because I was so mad and now I'm more mad. I'm not a reactionary coach, but I would have subbed him immediately. At this point I would look short corner every chance I got.

 

[TripleThreat]

Jesus, Ferreira, c'mon

That was awful.

Talking about the missed header?

I was he may have been talking about my pun.

 

[TripleThreat]

Will it be a fast pitch in the hot dry climate of Qatar? God I hope so. We look so bad. Someone is losing their job if they don't turn it around by the end of Tueaday. Get these guys a half time stein!

IIRC Qatar imported sod from the US

Qatar World Cup's secret ingredient? American grass!

The USMNT will be playing on familiar ground at the World Cup -- ESPN's Insider Notebook has the latest.

www.espn.com

 

[PIK95]

I haven't been following this s closely as usual over the last few months. Have we ever switched out of the 4-3-3, even for just a little bit, as an in game adjustment? Just curious. I like it when we are playing our super athletic guys for sure. Just wondering if he uses a fall back?

It looks to me like Japan is using a 4-2-3-1? Not sure what they announced officially.
It often proves effective against the 4-3-3 in my experience. ESPECIALLY on a slow pitch.

 

[BassNBrew]

We look like the Washington Generals vs. the Globetrotters. Slower, technically inferior, and weaker.

 

[PIK95]

On a side note, why is there no page advance numbers at the TOP of each thread page? Am I just stupid and it's there? Tia

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think a game like this really misses Musah. His ability to solve problems by dribbling out of pressure would be a big help here as the team clearly can't advance the ball through the middle on the pass.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I haven't been following this s closely as usual over the last few months. Have we ever switched out of the 4-3-3, even for just a little bit, as an in game adjustment? Just curious. I like it when we are playing our super athletic guys for sure. Just wondering if he uses a fall back?

It looks to me like Japan is using a 4-2-3-1? Not sure what they announced officially.
It often proves effective against the 4-3-3 in my experience. ESPECIALLY on a slow pitch.

GGG has been very married to the 4-3-3 for almost his entire tenure. He has experimented with a 3-5-2 at times but always abandoned it.

He has a few different looks in the 4-3-3 though. IN the summer games, Musah and Adams played a double pivot together where as in much of qualifying he played 2 8's together in front of Adams.

 

[prefontaine]

On a side note, why is there no page advance numbers at the TOP of each thread page? Am I just stupid and it's there? Tia

i haven't found it in the new version and.....it's horrific