US Men's National Team (13 Viewers)

[prefontaine]

Aarsonson for Weston

I think continuing with the idea that Aaronson is a mid is a disservice to him. It really accentuates his weaknesses which has become apparent both in the World Cup and playing for Leeds. He's best in space, not congestion. His press is negated because when he wins the ball, he's generally too far away from the attack and transition is not his strength.

I think he can perform in the role against weaker midfields and so maybe that works vs Canada but it's a perplexing choice given we know de la Torre is healthy (unlike the World Cup where it was speculated he couldn't play).

The other problem is it likely results in Gio playing a more rigid role. He can't roam to his heart's content and that's when he's at his best.

 

[TripleThreat]

I hate that it's on paramount + with a passion

 

[prefontaine]

In honor of BJ Callaghan's last nations league game, I'm back to making Manhattans tonight. Even though BJ Callaghan's sounds like a restaurant where I would never order a drink.

BJ may be the interim coach again for the next NL cycle as Berhalter probably has more important stuff to do

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

That midfield is paper thin defensively. Musah is borderline as a pure 6 and he's got a pair of 10-ish guys in front of him.

Hopefully we score 4 and it doesn't matter.

 

[gianmarco]

I don't even recognize the Canadian GK in that kit.

 

[gianmarco]

Man, Canada really pressing hard.

 

[[icon]]

Zimmerman!

 

[prefontaine]

Gio's corners are like clock-work. We are going to score a lot if we just leave him on the pitch to take them

 

[El Floppo]

OMG a set piece!!!

 

[Ilov80s]

Great start!

 

[McBokonon]

Looking forward to Pulisic being put back on corners.

 

[Sammy3469]

Balogun has been the best player on the field…continually occupying 1-2 defenders

 

[gianmarco]

Balogun has been the best player on the field…continually occupying 1-2 defenders

Which let's Weah and Pulisic so free on the wings.

It just looks so different in the final 3rd.

 

[gianmarco]

Scally really holding his own back there.

 

[[icon]]

This team plays like a cobra this tourney. Can be lethal in a flash. It's fun

 

[McBokonon]

Jedi seems to have his hands full a little.

 

[El Floppo]

Is Canada in a 3-5-2? They've grabbed control of the MF with numbers

 

[El Floppo]

I'd like to see Musah not go down every time.

 

[prefontaine]

Is Canada in a 3-5-2? They've grabbed control of the MF with numbers

yes. That is their base formation

 

[El Floppo]

They should be able to find Balo into channels through that 3 man back line.

 

[El Floppo]

Is Canada in a 3-5-2? They've grabbed control of the MF with numbers

yes. That is their base formation

They're playing more cleanly through the MF than I remember... And with more intent (than just trying to find a counter.

 

[prefontaine]

I really appreciate that BJ is not trying to play out of the back with this lineup. Shows awareness

 

[prefontaine]

We need to get Pulisic on the ball more. He's been mostly invisible so far.

 

[El Floppo]

It almost feels like their styles have switched... CAN MF controlling the pace, US looking for counters.

They really miss swag and dest calm ability on the ball.

 

[prefontaine]

Gio is kinda good and good to see Balo get on scoresheet

 

[El Floppo]

Balo!!!!!!!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Man, perfect ball, run, and finish. Sexy stuff.

 

[McBokonon]

That was fun. Balo’s good - reminded me of some of Callum Wilson’s goals.

 

[gianmarco]

True striker's finish.

 

[El Floppo]

It almost feels like their styles have switched... CAN MF controlling the pace, US looking for counters.

They really miss swag and dest calm ability on the ball.

Seriously... This is like topsy turvy WCQ last cycle with the US and CAN swapping styles and results (so far)

 

[Desert_Power]

Some pretty stuff from Gio

 

[El Floppo]

How many fouls by Eustacio?

Refs done a solid job so far... Even favoring the US a bit.... But needs to talk to eust.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

That was late and pretty nasty from Mustachio.

 

[[icon]]

Pathetic crowd for a final in vegas

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Going out on a limb to say that Joe Scally is better than Shaq Moore.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Gio absolutely destroying these Canucks. You love to see it.

 

[El Floppo]

Not feeling super confident, despite the 2 goals.

Canada doing the things they should be doing, but final touch has been US-esque. Theyve shown me they have goals in them to turn this thing upside down. US need to keeping trying to score ... Or park the bus for real and not try for such an open game.

 

[El Floppo]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

That's what I'm seeing as well.

 

[ChiefD]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

I think Aronson is the issue. He is basically a revolving door at this point. That kid is not the same.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Feels closer than this, but this is actually pretty good...

Goals: US 2, CAN 0
Shots: US 7, CAN 4
xG: US 0.86 (0.12/shot), CAN 0.21 (0.05)

 

[NewlyRetired]

Solid half given we are missing 5 starters and Pulisic was not involved much at all.

It looks like Gio is struggling to walk, they may want to go back to a dual 6 with Luca if Gio can't go.

Good half for Scally keeping Davies in check.

If Gio wants to turn himself into DeBryune-lite, this team will thrive offensively.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Not feeling super confident, despite the 2 goals.

Canada doing the things they should be doing, but final touch has been US-esque. Theyve shown me they have goals in them to turn this thing upside down. US need to keeping trying to score ... Or park the bus for real and not try for such an open game.

I'm the exact opposite. This is what I want from the US team. Open play. Lean on being athletic. We aren't going to win via tactics...it's about putting our athletes in space to make things happen.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

I think Aronson is the issue. He is basically a revolving door at this point. That kid is not the same.

Of the three changes, he was by far the worst. It looks like the Leeds season has effected his confidence. Nothing is working for him.

 

[El Floppo]

Not feeling super confident, despite the 2 goals.

Canada doing the things they should be doing, but final touch has been US-esque. Theyve shown me they have goals in them to turn this thing upside down. US need to keeping trying to score ... Or park the bus for real and not try for such an open game.

I'm the exact opposite. This is what I want from the US team. Open play. Lean on being athletic. We aren't going to win via tactics...it's about putting our athletes in space to make things happen.

They have better athletes on offense. Davies, Larin, David... We need to control the MF better- passing lanes and space... Because Canada is going to win that game on offense.

 

[NewlyRetired]

some stats

========

Brian Sciaretta

@BrianSciaretta

US content to concede possession and just be lethal with the ball.

- US had just 43% possession & completed 103 passes. Canada completed 169
- Weah, Balogun, & Pulisic have completed just 14 passes combined
- but shots & chances all heavily favor the US

 

[prefontaine]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

I think Aronson is the issue. He is basically a revolving door at this point. That kid is not the same.

Of the three changes, he was by far the worst. It looks like the Leeds season has effected his confidence. Nothing is working for him.

he's never had a good game playing in the midfield that I've seen. But he hasn't been as bad as all that. He's spending most of his time helping with Phonsie.

But he's not a mid and it causes us to look like we're playing a 2-man midfield at times because he doesn't know where to be.

 

[El Floppo]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

I think Aronson is the issue. He is basically a revolving door at this point. That kid is not the same.

Of the three changes, he was by far the worst. It looks like the Leeds season has effected his confidence. Nothing is working for him.

He's off, but he's been great working to be the 2nd defender on those Canadian attackers. That scrappy work has been huge for the US I the 1sthalf.

 

[El Floppo]

Am I just a stick in the mud to say that I hate how easy they're passing through our midfield?

We've been so dangerous going forward and have taken our chances, so I guess it's OK? But I don't like seeing us play this run and gun stuff.

I think Aronson is the issue. He is basically a revolving door at this point. That kid is not the same.

Of the three changes, he was by far the worst. It looks like the Leeds season has effected his confidence. Nothing is working for him.

he's never had a good game playing in the midfield that I've seen. But he hasn't been as bad as all that. He's spending most of his time helping with Phonsie.

But he's not a mid and it causes us to look like we're playing a 2-man midfield at times because he doesn't know where to be.

Between him and Gio, the shape has been off in the MF all half.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I was surprised Aaronson got the start. Especially paired with Reyna. Expected LDLT and that first half did nothing to convince me I was wrong. Play with a pair of ball carriers behind the front four and clog the middle better IMO.