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US Men's National Team (15 Viewers)

encaitar said:
TripItUp said:
prefontaine said:
CB - Long was bad. I thought McKenzie was a touch better. I hope Long gets no PT vs Saudi so we can see EPB and McKenzie.
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Is there anybody that believes Brooks isn't better than both?
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Gregg Berhalter
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To be fair, this is a 29 year old CB, 100% healthy, who has a ton of high level league experience, who should be in the dead middle of his prime and he has played a grand total of 3 minutes (3 minutes of any kind, including friendlies, real games, international etc) since last spring.

No one wanted to sign him this summer even though he was on a free transfer status.

There may be something here that maybe we are not privy too because left footed CB's with his resume and age on a free transfer usually results in a feeding frenzy.
 
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NewlyRetired said:
The thing is that Brooks should not even be worth a mention at this point.

The player every one should be asking about why they are not here is Ream. The guy is captaining the most surprising team in arguably the best league in the world and playing some of his best soccer ever and he would be INSTANTLY our best distributer out of the back.
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Yeah, but Floppo told me that Long was better for the "system".

But the system sucks against teams of mid-level talent playing good tactics. So........
 
Can any of you guys ever remember an in game adjustment by GGG to tactics that did not occur via half time or a sub?

I kind of wish GGG would prep the team for a plan B if at the 20 minute mark it is clear what they are doing is not working so that they can make changes on the fly.
 
NewlyRetired said:
Can any of you guys ever remember an in game adjustment by GGG to tactics that did not occur via half time or a sub?

I kind of wish GGG would prep the team for a plan B if at the 20 minute mark it is clear what they are doing is not working so that they can make changes on the fly.
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Vs Mexico in the CNL final? I think we started with 3 at the back and rotated off of that. And in the Gold Cup, we moved from playing out of the back to dumping it over the top (and kept at that for the rest of the tournament) but I don't remember which game it was.

But honestly, we pretty much don't have variable tactics so it's hard to make adjustments. Even game to game, our tactics are incredibly similar. I don't think Berhalter has much intention to change because he's mostly built the team with like for like players. But even in the case they aren't alike, they are given the same tactical instructions and thus are asked to play alike.
 
The Z Machine said:
NewlyRetired said:
The thing is that Brooks should not even be worth a mention at this point.

The player every one should be asking about why they are not here is Ream. The guy is captaining the most surprising team in arguably the best league in the world and playing some of his best soccer ever and he would be INSTANTLY our best distributer out of the back.
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Yeah, but Floppo told me that Long was better for the "system".

But the system sucks against teams of mid-level talent playing good tactics. So........
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Huh?

I said that GGG said that he wanted more pace from his CB next to Zimm, which is why Long. Long instead of EPB or McK.. probably a familiarity thing.

But I don't think anybody thinks Long is better than anybody right now. The question is...is he significantly worse? That game didn't do much to say no.
 
El Floppo said:
I said that GGG said that he wanted more pace from his CB next to Zimm, which is why Long. Long instead of EPB or McK.. probably a familiarity thing
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OK fine, you did it was for speed, which is what GGGG wants out of his CBs... because that's his system. Ream has shown that he can play very well in the system that Fulham plays. With Ream we might have a chance to string together 3 passes between our defenders and midfielders.

I don't think there's any defense for leaving Ream off based on the way the team played in that Japan game. The only reason would be that Ream declined an invite, which I doubt.
 
The Z Machine said:
El Floppo said:
I said that GGG said that he wanted more pace from his CB next to Zimm, which is why Long. Long instead of EPB or McK.. probably a familiarity thing
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OK fine, you did it was for speed, which is what GGGG wants out of his CBs... because that's his system. Ream has shown that he can play very well in the system that Fulham plays. With Ream we might have a chance to string together 3 passes between our defenders and midfielders.

I don't think there's any defense for leaving Ream off based on the way the team played in that Japan game. The only reason would be that Ream declined an invite, which I doubt.
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I'm relaying what I read. Not my words or thiughts.

Zimm is usually decent...not great...at longer passing. He was invisible vs Japan. A lot of that based on shape of Japan defense and completely bossing the MF and shutting off passing lanes to the forward. But again...he's decent not great to begin, so he's not going to see or do the things that Ream has shown he can do. But...Ream and Zimm together is a disaster with their lack of pace. So for me, it's either Zimm or Ream and somebody else next to them.
 
And GGG doesn't want speed out of his CBs...he wants speed from the 2nd CB if the first is slower like Zimm or Ream. He was explicit about that.

But yeah...no Prefok, no Ream...both guys playing very well at international levels. Both should at least be in this camp. No excuse for their exclusion.
 
Or maybe figure out some tactics that can limit the liability of two slower CBs that can pass and still be in good defensive positions.

I'd prefer that over what we saw on Friday.
 
The Japan game was a stinker. I don't think it's a larger referendum on Gregg. Even when the results weren't there in qualifying, the US didn't really lay stinkers like against Japan. They had the best xG margin in the Octo. Sometimes, they just couldn't make their control pay.

I don't think the exclusion of Ream or Pefok from this particular camp is a terrible thing. I think both would be on my World Cup roster right now, but I'm not sure I would have called them for this camp either. Because I feel I know what I need to know about them. I know what Pefok is good at. I know he's not a natural fit in many ways for how the USMNT plays and that if he's the 9, he'll NEED to score because he's not going to do other good things the way that Jesus and even Sargent can. That doesn't mean I don't call him, because, frankly, I don't think the US is good enough to have a 9 that does other good things without scoring. But I can see how you'd want to give Sargent, Pepi, and Jesus a chance to show they can score and do the other good things in this camp.

I think Ream is maybe a tougher exclusion for this camp, because he really is a step up in distribution from anyone but Brooks. I probably would have called him in when Musah got hurt because Musah is really the key to more modern Gregg tactic of using the MF to advance the ball by shuttling. But I think that Gregg, like me, probably thought LDT could do that in Musah's absence. He didn't against Japan (in his defense, I'm not sure Musah or Nagbe, or Pogba or prime Jean Tigana could have done that with Wes and Adams having dumpster fire games too).

And that's really what I took from the Japan game. The back four wasn't good, but I think the real issue is that the team will never play well if both McKennie and Tyler don't have it. The tactics just won't work without it. In the World Cup, if that happens, maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
 
NewlyRetired said:
The thing is that Brooks should not even be worth a mention at this point.

The player every one should be asking about why they are not here is Ream. The guy is captaining the most surprising team in arguably the best league in the world and playing some of his best soccer ever and he would be INSTANTLY our best distributer out of the back.
Click to expand...
It's fascinating how he went from "he's too old and slow" to being the savior.
 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
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You only do that if your game plan falls apart at the 30 minute mark and you're down 2-0 and your CBs can't complete a pass. Sorta like what happened against Japan.

Glad to see you're around, GB. Hope things are going well for you up in NY.
 
Ned said:
NewlyRetired said:
The thing is that Brooks should not even be worth a mention at this point.

The player every one should be asking about why they are not here is Ream. The guy is captaining the most surprising team in arguably the best league in the world and playing some of his best soccer ever and he would be INSTANTLY our best distributer out of the back.
Click to expand...
It's fascinating how he went from "he's too old and slow" to being the savior.
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He is old and slow. But he's playing very well for his club against some really tough opponents. That cannot be overlooked. Just like Pepi was lighting the world on fire and then the bottom fell out. Don't bring in players that are so out of form that they can't get PT for their club team. They will not be able to turn it on for the WC that will come fast after the last club games in mid Nov.
 
USMNT Only

@usmntonly

Juventus have reportedly opened preliminary talks with Christian Pulisic’s agent, with the USMNT international eager to leave Chelsea in the summer. Pulisic’s contract runs out in June 2024 and according to the report, Chelsea want at least €35m to sell him.
 
Steven Goff

@SoccerInsider


USSF announces new CEO/secretary general: JT Batson, co-founder of a software company and who has deep ties to grassroots soccer programs. Stanford grad, 40, starts right away, succeeding Will Wilson, who announced in June he would leave this fall after 2.5 years in job.
 
5 starters missing seems a stretch.

Miles, Musah and Robinson are almost certain starters. Who else that is missing does he consider a locked in starter?

Weah, Steffen, Richards.....???
 
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NewlyRetired said:
5 starters missing seems a stretch.

Miles, Musah and Robinson are almost certain starters. Who else that is missing does he consider a locked in starter?

Weah, Steffen, Richards.....???
Click to expand...

I'm guessing maybe he's referring to CP and Weah? I know CP will play tomorrow but maybe he's counting him?

Also, maybe the person (Richards) who he has pegged as Miles replacement and he's double counting?
 
The Z Machine said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
Click to expand...
You only do that if your game plan falls apart at the 30 minute mark and you're down 2-0 and your CBs can't complete a pass. Sorta like what happened against Japan.

Glad to see you're around, GB. Hope things are going well for you up in NY.
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Wait... Scoob is in ny?!

No phone call, no smoke signals... Nothing? In the city or upstate?
 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
The Japan game was a stinker. I don't think it's a larger referendum on Gregg. Even when the results weren't there in qualifying, the US didn't really lay stinkers like against Japan. They had the best xG margin in the Octo. Sometimes, they just couldn't make their control pay.

I don't think the exclusion of Ream or Pefok from this particular camp is a terrible thing. I think both would be on my World Cup roster right now, but I'm not sure I would have called them for this camp either. Because I feel I know what I need to know about them. I know what Pefok is good at. I know he's not a natural fit in many ways for how the USMNT plays and that if he's the 9, he'll NEED to score because he's not going to do other good things the way that Jesus and even Sargent can. That doesn't mean I don't call him, because, frankly, I don't think the US is good enough to have a 9 that does other good things without scoring. But I can see how you'd want to give Sargent, Pepi, and Jesus a chance to show they can score and do the other good things in this camp.

I think Ream is maybe a tougher exclusion for this camp, because he really is a step up in distribution from anyone but Brooks. I probably would have called him in when Musah got hurt because Musah is really the key to more modern Gregg tactic of using the MF to advance the ball by shuttling. But I think that Gregg, like me, probably thought LDT could do that in Musah's absence. He didn't against Japan (in his defense, I'm not sure Musah or Nagbe, or Pogba or prime Jean Tigana could have done that with Wes and Adams having dumpster fire games too).

And that's really what I took from the Japan game. The back four wasn't good, but I think the real issue is that the team will never play well if both McKennie and Tyler don't have it. The tactics just won't work without it. In the World Cup, if that happens, maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
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See, I think Prefoks a guy you need to look at again to see if Germany has changed his game any in terms of ability to defend as part of the unit. We know he's a fox in the box type of guy... But has he learned the rest and how can we get him minutes in training and games with the rest of this team to see how he gels.
 
El Floppo said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
The Japan game was a stinker. I don't think it's a larger referendum on Gregg. Even when the results weren't there in qualifying, the US didn't really lay stinkers like against Japan. They had the best xG margin in the Octo. Sometimes, they just couldn't make their control pay.

I don't think the exclusion of Ream or Pefok from this particular camp is a terrible thing. I think both would be on my World Cup roster right now, but I'm not sure I would have called them for this camp either. Because I feel I know what I need to know about them. I know what Pefok is good at. I know he's not a natural fit in many ways for how the USMNT plays and that if he's the 9, he'll NEED to score because he's not going to do other good things the way that Jesus and even Sargent can. That doesn't mean I don't call him, because, frankly, I don't think the US is good enough to have a 9 that does other good things without scoring. But I can see how you'd want to give Sargent, Pepi, and Jesus a chance to show they can score and do the other good things in this camp.

I think Ream is maybe a tougher exclusion for this camp, because he really is a step up in distribution from anyone but Brooks. I probably would have called him in when Musah got hurt because Musah is really the key to more modern Gregg tactic of using the MF to advance the ball by shuttling. But I think that Gregg, like me, probably thought LDT could do that in Musah's absence. He didn't against Japan (in his defense, I'm not sure Musah or Nagbe, or Pogba or prime Jean Tigana could have done that with Wes and Adams having dumpster fire games too).

And that's really what I took from the Japan game. The back four wasn't good, but I think the real issue is that the team will never play well if both McKennie and Tyler don't have it. The tactics just won't work without it. In the World Cup, if that happens, maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
Click to expand...
See, I think Prefoks a guy you need to look at again to see if Germany has changed his game any in terms of ability to defend as part of the unit. We know he's a fox in the box type of guy... But has he learned the rest and how can we get him minutes in training and games with the rest of this team to see how he gels.
Click to expand...
This just one of the reasons why it was stupid not to bring him in or to play Sargent meaningful minutes. While I think both Pepi and Jesus do certain things well, ultimately they're too alike the two wings and Swag in terms of where they want the ball and ultimately mark themselves out of games and the alikeness frankly doesn't cause the opposing defense to think. Coupled with the fact we can't switch the ball and it becomes very easy to press us. I don't know if Pefok or Sargent solves that issue, but at least they physically cause the other CBs to think (i.e. I can't pass him off to the smaller outside back on a switch). Maybe Pepi and Jesus get to the last ball a touch better (I do think both have better movement within the 18) or initiate the press better, but if the team's setup doesn't get the ball upfield anyway, it's sort of mute how good they press. FWIW, I think this especially true if the wings are Reyna and Aaronson, neither of who are outside wings like CP or Weah.
 
El Floppo said:
The Z Machine said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
maybe you put Pefok and Pepi both upfront and eephus it up with some Route 1, though I can imagine what the Gregg critics would say about that.
Click to expand...
You only do that if your game plan falls apart at the 30 minute mark and you're down 2-0 and your CBs can't complete a pass. Sorta like what happened against Japan.

Glad to see you're around, GB. Hope things are going well for you up in NY.
Click to expand...
Wait... Scoob is in ny?!

No phone call, no smoke signals... Nothing? In the city or upstate?
Click to expand...
Outside Syracuse.
 
Nations League play ended today for England who finally got some goals in a 3-3 draw with Germany.

After the 6 games, England goes 0-3-3 with a -6 GD (albeit in group much harder than what they will see in the WC imo).
 
Anyone know of A free stream for the game today? Really not feeling like signing up for Sling just to access FS1 for game. Happy to take a PM if you might have a questionable source….
 
berndog said:
kneeshooter said:
NewlyRetired said:
Pepi and Pulisic will start tomorrow according to GGG
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@DeutscherYank is usually a reliable source for roster/lineup leaks. If he is to be believed it looks like Reyna, Dest, Zimm and Acosta will be starting alongside them.
Click to expand...

If Acosta is at the 8 GGG should give up his seat on the plane to Qatar.
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More rumors have Yedlin and Long starting as well.

So to recap, in the last tune up game before the Qatar World Cup in the year 2022 we may have Acosta, Yedlin and Long in the starting XI.

JFC
 
berndog said:
kneeshooter said:
NewlyRetired said:
Pepi and Pulisic will start tomorrow according to GGG
Click to expand...
@DeutscherYank is usually a reliable source for roster/lineup leaks. If he is to be believed it looks like Reyna, Dest, Zimm and Acosta will be starting alongside them.
Click to expand...

If Acosta is at the 8 GGG should give up his seat on the plane to Qatar.
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If we're playing a double pivot, it's fine. If we're still a single pivot or Adams is on the bench without an injury it's not.

Long though...oof.
 
kneeshooter said:
berndog said:
kneeshooter said:
NewlyRetired said:
Pepi and Pulisic will start tomorrow according to GGG
Click to expand...
@DeutscherYank is usually a reliable source for roster/lineup leaks. If he is to be believed it looks like Reyna, Dest, Zimm and Acosta will be starting alongside them.
Click to expand...

If Acosta is at the 8 GGG should give up his seat on the plane to Qatar.
Click to expand...
More rumors have Yedlin and Long starting as well.

So to recap, in the last tune up game before the Qatar World Cup in the year 2022 we may have Acosta, Yedlin and Long in the starting XI.

JFC
Click to expand...

No concerns about Yedlin - for me he's Dest's backup and they are probably resting Dest. Acosta, similar deal being Adams' backup (I presume). Long can take the flight back to wherever and never come back as far as I'm concerned. It really does suck not having Ream - I understand the reasons why but I trust him much more than Long at this stage of their careers.
 
Long feels like he's hit the Steffan stage -- where everyone can see he's not quite up to the job. I bet Richards (if healthy) or CCV start the WC. Can't believe that's our weak link though.
 
Today’s USMNT Starting XI vs. Saudi Arabia: 1-Matt Turner, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 4-Tyler Adams, 5-Aaron Long, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic (capt.), 19-Ricardo Pepi, 21-Gio Reyna, 22-DeAndre Yedlin, 23-Kellyn Acosta
 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Long feels like he's hit the Steffan stage -- where everyone can see he's not quite up to the job. I bet Richards (if healthy) or CCV start the WC. Can't believe that's our weak link though.
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You can't believe CB is our weak link? Just trying to understand what you mean. I'd say if I'm looking at position my concern level would be:

F, CB, LB, GK, RB, DM, CAM, RW, LW (I'm combining CB and CAM for the purposes of this.)
 
AAABatteries said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Long feels like he's hit the Steffan stage -- where everyone can see he's not quite up to the job. I bet Richards (if healthy) or CCV start the WC. Can't believe that's our weak link though.
Click to expand...

You can't believe CB is our weak link? Just trying to understand what you mean. I'd say if I'm looking at position my concern level would be:

F, CB, LB, GK, RB, DM, CAM, RW, LW (I'm combining CB and CAM for the purposes of this.)
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Before the Miles injury, the Miles/Zimmerman pairing was absolutely rock solid and arguably the biggest strength of the team. Especially with Antonee on the left.

CB was the least of our concerns until Miles got hurt.
 
gianmarco said:
AAABatteries said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Long feels like he's hit the Steffan stage -- where everyone can see he's not quite up to the job. I bet Richards (if healthy) or CCV start the WC. Can't believe that's our weak link though.
Click to expand...

You can't believe CB is our weak link? Just trying to understand what you mean. I'd say if I'm looking at position my concern level would be:

F, CB, LB, GK, RB, DM, CAM, RW, LW (I'm combining CB and CAM for the purposes of this.)
Click to expand...
Before the Miles injury, the Miles/Zimmerman pairing was absolutely rock solid and arguably the biggest strength of the team. Especially with Antonee on the left.

CB was the least of our concerns until Miles got hurt.
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while this is true, a healthy Miles does not fix our problem of trying to play out of the back with out the Musah outlet. Miles biggest weakness was passing.
 
Hopefully Acosta's long passing will help offset the missing ball-carriers.

This lineup isn't ideal at all, but it should still be good enough to get a W IMO.
 
Sammy3469 said:
TLEF316 said:
Dest at LB. No opportunity for Scally. Guess Greg has made his choice for backup lb.
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This is the one I don't get at all, but he hasn't rated him all cycle. I can't see how he's worse than Vines (or Yedlin).
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I honestly don't get what GGG sees that his Bundesliga coaches don't see. Not sure what Scally has to do to unseat Vines to get on the plane. Must be something in training. Maybe he's just not "getting it". Whatever "it" is.
 
gianmarco said:
AAABatteries said:
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Long feels like he's hit the Steffan stage -- where everyone can see he's not quite up to the job. I bet Richards (if healthy) or CCV start the WC. Can't believe that's our weak link though.
Click to expand...

You can't believe CB is our weak link? Just trying to understand what you mean. I'd say if I'm looking at position my concern level would be:

F, CB, LB, GK, RB, DM, CAM, RW, LW (I'm combining CB and CAM for the purposes of this.)
Click to expand...
Before the Miles injury, the Miles/Zimmerman pairing was absolutely rock solid and arguably the biggest strength of the team. Especially with Antonee on the left.

CB was the least of our concerns until Miles got hurt.
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Sure, totally agree but my list factors in injuries. I'm still gutted for Miles and USMNT and AUFC. :sadbanana:
 
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