NewlyRetired
Footballguy
We will never know for sure but I think there was more than 50-50 chance Gio was not going to be selected even if the WCC was not happening this summer.
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US Men's National Team (10 Viewers)
- Thread starter Premier
- Start date
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Doyle gives a nice break down of MLS players who could make the Gold Cup roster
=================
ROSTER LOCKS
Diego Luna (AM/W)
Luna’s been one of the best No. 10s in MLS this year, and with Gio Reyna out of the picture (Reyna did not make the preliminary roster due to Club World Cup obligations, has barely played for Borussia Dortmund this year and is likely to find a new club this summer) he’s clearly the most creative player Poch can call in.
Let’s hope he’s in the XI from the opening whistle every game, and let’s hope Poch doesn’t play him at right wing again.
Miles Robinson (CB)
Robinson was not great in his last few USMNT outings, but it’s not like any of the other CBs who’ve gotten minutes have been better (they’ve uniformly been worse, as a matter of fact).
Bottom line is Robinson’s been excellent on both sides of the ball for Cincy this year and has physical tools nobody else in the CB pool can match.
Zack Steffen (GK)
Steffen has cooled off after a scorching start with Colorado, but still has the best underlying numbers in the league and was fantastic for the US in his last couple of appearances.
==================
STRONG CASES
Brian White (FW)
Probably the Landon Donovan MLS MVP at this point in the season, given what he’s meant to the first-place Whitecaps, especially without Ryan Gauld. White didn’t look at all out of place in his caps this winter, either.
Patrick Agyemang (FW)
Agyemang's been as disappointing for Charlotte as he was impressive for the US. I could see that costing him his chance.
At best, I reckon only one of the two guys above will make the final roster.
Quinn Sullivan (W)
One of the breakout young players in MLS this season, Sullivan is a relentless two-way winger (more of a wide midfielder, to be honest) who is an elite crosser with a good eye for the final pass.
Maybe more important is how he rates high in xDAWG. The kid will run through a wall if that’s what’s called for, and the US have missed that for the past 18 months.
Jack McGlynn (AM/CM)
McGlynn’s come alive playing as more of a No. 10 (or free 8) for Houston over the past six weeks, which puts him in a spot that emphasizes his strengths – he’s a brilliant passer with a wicked left foot – while hiding his weaknesses (still not much of a defender!).
I think you could play him and Luna together, which would give the US attack a level of unpredictability it hasn’t had in a long, long time.
Brian Gutiérrez (AM/W)
Let’s add Gutiérrez to that group, too. He’s been playing as Chicago’s No. 10, but can also play on the wing and has even dropped a little deeper into a No. 8 role when the Fire shift to a 4-3-3.
His end product is still not elite, and I don’t think he’s quite as good at picking locks as Luna or McGlynn (or Reyna), but he could still be a valuable piece for his flexibility and two-way play.
Luca de la Torre (CM)
Hasn’t quite been the field-tilting savant he looked like at his best in the first few years of this decade, but he’s nonetheless been a huge and reliable part of one of the best midfields in the league.
De la Torre has seemed more comfortable playing deeper than as a true attacker for San Diego, which is a crucial role in Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Sebastian Berhalter (CM/DM)
The single most surprising glow-up in the league in years. With White, his club teammate, you could see he always found a way to score, and if you put the ball in the net, and it keeps translating up... I mean, that's a pretty clear path, even if we're talking about a 98th percentile outcome.
With Berhalter, there was no hint of this. He was a good player the past two years and had a small role before that (after having been discarded by both Columbus and Austin). Nothing said "best No. 8 in the league and a likely asset for the USMNT because of his courage to get on the ball in the toughest spots and skill in progressing it to the attackers in positions of real advantage."
But here he is. At this point, I think I'd be more surprised if he isn't on the final roster than if he is.
Tim Ream (CB)
Ream hasn’t been great this year, and Charlotte have kind of fallen apart over the past month. But he’s a veteran whose ability in distribution is inimitable.
Tristan Blackmon (CB)
Blackmon’s been maybe the best center back in the entire league this season? He's not a game-breaking distributor, but his comfort with the ball on his foot means he’s often able to break the first line of opposing pressure by simply carrying the ball into midfield, then hitting simple passes against a defense that’s suddenly scrambling. That’s a very useful skill.
He’s also 6-foot-2 and is a plus athlete. Pochettino should be looking at him hard; Jesse Marsch reportedly already is.
Alex Freeman (RB)
The 20-year-old homegrown is putting together a Best XI-caliber season for Orlando, and that’s significant since Sergiño Dest’s injury last year (he’s on the 60-man roster, and hopefully he’ll be good to get some minutes) laid bare just how much of a drop-off there is from him to the ostensible back-ups.
Freeman is not as dynamic on the ball as Dest – few in the pool are, irrespective of position – but he’s proved to be an incredible attacking threat whose size and athleticism make him a mismatch for most opposing fullbacks.
Max Arfsten (LB/LM)
Arfsten was part of Pochettino’s January camp and plays a position that’s always a need. Plus, he’s logged a ton of miles against top regional talent over the past few years via the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.
Matt Freese (GK)
If it were my choice, Freese would be on the final roster. He’s been the most consistent shot-stopper in the pool the past two years, and shot-stopping is what matters most to me.
Patrick Schulte (GK)
Schulte has again been good for the Crew and is a little more well-rounded than Freese. It's worth noting he made the roster for the Nations League semis and final, while Freese did not.
=================
ROSTER LOCKS
Diego Luna (AM/W)
Luna’s been one of the best No. 10s in MLS this year, and with Gio Reyna out of the picture (Reyna did not make the preliminary roster due to Club World Cup obligations, has barely played for Borussia Dortmund this year and is likely to find a new club this summer) he’s clearly the most creative player Poch can call in.
Let’s hope he’s in the XI from the opening whistle every game, and let’s hope Poch doesn’t play him at right wing again.
Miles Robinson (CB)
Robinson was not great in his last few USMNT outings, but it’s not like any of the other CBs who’ve gotten minutes have been better (they’ve uniformly been worse, as a matter of fact).
Bottom line is Robinson’s been excellent on both sides of the ball for Cincy this year and has physical tools nobody else in the CB pool can match.
Zack Steffen (GK)
Steffen has cooled off after a scorching start with Colorado, but still has the best underlying numbers in the league and was fantastic for the US in his last couple of appearances.
==================
STRONG CASES
Brian White (FW)
Probably the Landon Donovan MLS MVP at this point in the season, given what he’s meant to the first-place Whitecaps, especially without Ryan Gauld. White didn’t look at all out of place in his caps this winter, either.
Patrick Agyemang (FW)
Agyemang's been as disappointing for Charlotte as he was impressive for the US. I could see that costing him his chance.
At best, I reckon only one of the two guys above will make the final roster.
Quinn Sullivan (W)
One of the breakout young players in MLS this season, Sullivan is a relentless two-way winger (more of a wide midfielder, to be honest) who is an elite crosser with a good eye for the final pass.
Maybe more important is how he rates high in xDAWG. The kid will run through a wall if that’s what’s called for, and the US have missed that for the past 18 months.
Jack McGlynn (AM/CM)
McGlynn’s come alive playing as more of a No. 10 (or free 8) for Houston over the past six weeks, which puts him in a spot that emphasizes his strengths – he’s a brilliant passer with a wicked left foot – while hiding his weaknesses (still not much of a defender!).
I think you could play him and Luna together, which would give the US attack a level of unpredictability it hasn’t had in a long, long time.
Brian Gutiérrez (AM/W)
Let’s add Gutiérrez to that group, too. He’s been playing as Chicago’s No. 10, but can also play on the wing and has even dropped a little deeper into a No. 8 role when the Fire shift to a 4-3-3.
His end product is still not elite, and I don’t think he’s quite as good at picking locks as Luna or McGlynn (or Reyna), but he could still be a valuable piece for his flexibility and two-way play.
Luca de la Torre (CM)
Hasn’t quite been the field-tilting savant he looked like at his best in the first few years of this decade, but he’s nonetheless been a huge and reliable part of one of the best midfields in the league.
De la Torre has seemed more comfortable playing deeper than as a true attacker for San Diego, which is a crucial role in Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Sebastian Berhalter (CM/DM)
The single most surprising glow-up in the league in years. With White, his club teammate, you could see he always found a way to score, and if you put the ball in the net, and it keeps translating up... I mean, that's a pretty clear path, even if we're talking about a 98th percentile outcome.
With Berhalter, there was no hint of this. He was a good player the past two years and had a small role before that (after having been discarded by both Columbus and Austin). Nothing said "best No. 8 in the league and a likely asset for the USMNT because of his courage to get on the ball in the toughest spots and skill in progressing it to the attackers in positions of real advantage."
But here he is. At this point, I think I'd be more surprised if he isn't on the final roster than if he is.
Tim Ream (CB)
Ream hasn’t been great this year, and Charlotte have kind of fallen apart over the past month. But he’s a veteran whose ability in distribution is inimitable.
Tristan Blackmon (CB)
Blackmon’s been maybe the best center back in the entire league this season? He's not a game-breaking distributor, but his comfort with the ball on his foot means he’s often able to break the first line of opposing pressure by simply carrying the ball into midfield, then hitting simple passes against a defense that’s suddenly scrambling. That’s a very useful skill.
He’s also 6-foot-2 and is a plus athlete. Pochettino should be looking at him hard; Jesse Marsch reportedly already is.
Alex Freeman (RB)
The 20-year-old homegrown is putting together a Best XI-caliber season for Orlando, and that’s significant since Sergiño Dest’s injury last year (he’s on the 60-man roster, and hopefully he’ll be good to get some minutes) laid bare just how much of a drop-off there is from him to the ostensible back-ups.
Freeman is not as dynamic on the ball as Dest – few in the pool are, irrespective of position – but he’s proved to be an incredible attacking threat whose size and athleticism make him a mismatch for most opposing fullbacks.
Max Arfsten (LB/LM)
Arfsten was part of Pochettino’s January camp and plays a position that’s always a need. Plus, he’s logged a ton of miles against top regional talent over the past few years via the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.
Matt Freese (GK)
If it were my choice, Freese would be on the final roster. He’s been the most consistent shot-stopper in the pool the past two years, and shot-stopping is what matters most to me.
Patrick Schulte (GK)
Schulte has again been good for the Crew and is a little more well-rounded than Freese. It's worth noting he made the roster for the Nations League semis and final, while Freese did not.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
A couple of sources from Germany have said that Damian Downs has made the Gold Cup roster.
His team, Koln, won Bundesliga 2 this season and will be back in the Bundesliga next season.
His team, Koln, won Bundesliga 2 this season and will be back in the Bundesliga next season.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I saw like 40 minutes of him playing for Koln (mentioned it here). He scored a nice goal, but didn't jump off the screen for me.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
No Pulisic for the Gold Cup
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
well **** :(
I completely understand he is worn down but this is really the last chance to get the team to play together for more than just a couple of games before next summer.
Very disappointing...
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
It's Sebb's team now.*
* I am not giving up this shtick.
* I am not giving up this shtick.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
now we are missing our two starting wingers....
I guess maybe a big chance for Sullivan but I fear Poch is going to stick an out of form Musah out there.
I guess maybe a big chance for Sullivan but I fear Poch is going to stick an out of form Musah out there.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Because...? I know it ain't because Milan is playing any kind of meaningful games. Just to rest?
TLEF316
Footballguy
The athletic is saying musah won't be there either
SpurrierisisGod
Footballguy
Yeah... pulisic not playying is the ultimate catch 22 for the US ever having a chance at any meaningful trophy or in the WC.. .
We've begged and pleaded for our top players to not only be on, but play for top level euro clubs. Well here's the flip side.
Prior to getting high level minutes, every player wants to give his all for national side. Buuuuut, if it comes down to hurting the side that pays the bills... they need a rest.
There is a limited window to train with and prepare for the US world cup run. But if it hurts my bottome line, sorry, not playing.
Eta - MLS needs to align with the rest of the world schedule or we will always be B level.
We've begged and pleaded for our top players to not only be on, but play for top level euro clubs. Well here's the flip side.
Prior to getting high level minutes, every player wants to give his all for national side. Buuuuut, if it comes down to hurting the side that pays the bills... they need a rest.
There is a limited window to train with and prepare for the US world cup run. But if it hurts my bottome line, sorry, not playing.
Eta - MLS needs to align with the rest of the world schedule or we will always be B level.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Balo to the wing. Brian White Gold Cup Golden Boot. Speaking it into existence.
I don't know. He does look pretty cooked recently. And it's a way for Poch to maybe turn the temperature and scrutiny down for the Gold Cup. If he's already not having a bunch of key players, the whole "getting the whole first team to play together" rationale loses a bit of validity. I think we're just going to have to live with the fact that we have to hope that Poch knows what he needs to do to get the right guys peaking and playing together at the right time when it matters.
That's the assumption. It's just leaks at this point that he isn't on the 26 man roster. No statement from Poch or anything.
I don't know. He does look pretty cooked recently. And it's a way for Poch to maybe turn the temperature and scrutiny down for the Gold Cup. If he's already not having a bunch of key players, the whole "getting the whole first team to play together" rationale loses a bit of validity. I think we're just going to have to live with the fact that we have to hope that Poch knows what he needs to do to get the right guys peaking and playing together at the right time when it matters.
encaitar
Footballguy
Honestly... good. I know it'll suck for the USMNT not to get some time to gel this summer, but Pulisic is playing his 50th game this season on Saturday. For a guy who couldn't stay healthy just two years ago, that's crazy. I'm sure this is not only in anticipation for next season at Milan, but also knowing he needs to be at or near 100% next June and this is the best way his team figures he can be.
Sucks for the people who bought tickets to the gold cup. Hopefully the guys who take his spot step up and show us the grit we've been asking for.
Sucks for the people who bought tickets to the gold cup. Hopefully the guys who take his spot step up and show us the grit we've been asking for.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
If Johnny's transfer to Atletico Madrid goes through, he will have to miss the Gold Cup as well.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
oh dear, with Pulisic and Weah both out I thought Poch may give a look to Zendejas who has had a great season but I forgot Zendejas is yet another player who may not be available. His team is playing LAFC for the last spot in the CWC.
So if everything goes wrong, the team may be missing Pulisic, Weah, McKennie, Johnny, Pepi, Gio, Zendejas and Musah. And Pepi is the only player who is hurt in that group.
So if everything goes wrong, the team may be missing Pulisic, Weah, McKennie, Johnny, Pepi, Gio, Zendejas and Musah. And Pepi is the only player who is hurt in that group.
TLEF316
Footballguy
Yeah....could not be less excited for this tournament. And honestly....the WC aint exactly giving me warm and fuzzy feelings either. Between the lack of confidence in the team and the fact that all the US games are gonna be out West....I'm just kinda over it.
I'll obviously watch all the games on TV, but paying those prices for tickets just isn't in the cards anymore.
I'll obviously watch all the games on TV, but paying those prices for tickets just isn't in the cards anymore.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
they haven't announced the prices for regular tickets though yet, right? Only VIP guaranteed seat tickets. They haven't even announced the lottery to try and get tickets yet, right?
TLEF316
Footballguy
I don't think so. But if recent major events in the NY/NJ area are any indication (ncaa regional final, upcoming ryder cup) its just gonna be stupid.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
What time is the roster being released today?
Wow...not completely sure who was available and who wasn't, but this is going to be interesting...and not the good kind of interesting
Would post roster here, but have only seen graphic versions of it, and am not typing it all out
Biggest surprise exclusion: Antonee
Interesting young guys: Freeman, Luna, Q Sullivan, McGlynn
Looks like four pure strikers on roster
Would post roster here, but have only seen graphic versions of it, and am not typing it all out
Biggest surprise exclusion: Antonee
Interesting young guys: Freeman, Luna, Q Sullivan, McGlynn
Looks like four pure strikers on roster
El Floppo
Footballguy
Sea Zaw?... Legend.
El Floppo
Footballguy
GOALKEEPERS (4): Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 51/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes; 10/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 68/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 24/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 32/3),
MIDFIELDERS (10): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 24/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 17/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5); Damion Downs (FC Köln/GER; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 15/4)
DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes; 10/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 68/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 24/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 32/3),
MIDFIELDERS (10): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 24/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 17/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5); Damion Downs (FC Köln/GER; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 15/4)
What's the starting lineup here?
I assume the four strikers (five if you count Haji) means we use two real forwards...so are we doing something like a 3-5-2?
So maybe...
Turner
Richards-Ream-McKenzie
Dest-Cardoso-Adams-Luna-Tillman
Balogun-Wright
But with this roster, who the heck knows
P.S. Why no Scally? That's a pretty big surprise too.
I assume the four strikers (five if you count Haji) means we use two real forwards...so are we doing something like a 3-5-2?
So maybe...
Turner
Richards-Ream-McKenzie
Dest-Cardoso-Adams-Luna-Tillman
Balogun-Wright
But with this roster, who the heck knows
P.S. Why no Scally? That's a pretty big surprise too.
Last edited:
El Floppo
Footballguy
Championship team of the year member vs Brian White or out of form Ag? Huh. Good question.
Did Adams look up and wonder why he's been included, if this is leaning towards new guys? Dest... I get, just coming back to 90 min fitness, so could use some playing time.
It definitely seems like he went out of his way to bring people he hasn't seen much of...except still some weird omissions...so who knows
The Z Machine
Footballguy
uh, are we going to have a very static offense with no decent fullbacks providing offensive threats?
Wait, I see Dest on there now. Missed him at first.
Wait, I see Dest on there now. Missed him at first.
McBokonon
Footballguy
I was wondering what these numbers were in parentheses but now I can see it's their ages.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I can't make heads or tails out of this roster and I am really trying to find the codex.
There is no consistency in terms of players needing a rest or not.
Jedi, Pulisic, Sargent, Paxton and Scally all played a good amount of minutes and were left off the roster.
But then so did Adams, Johnny, McKenzie, and Richards and they were included.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Some details are coming out:
Musah was picked for the roster and with drew due to personal reasons
Sargent was not included due to a footballing decision (ie Poch must not rate him).
They wanted to pick Jedi right up to the very end but the Fulham medical staff convinced them to let him rest
Musah was picked for the roster and with drew due to personal reasons
Sargent was not included due to a footballing decision (ie Poch must not rate him).
They wanted to pick Jedi right up to the very end but the Fulham medical staff convinced them to let him rest
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It looks like the decision to not play came from Pulisic himself, although I am sure Milan had some influence on his decision
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El Floppo
Footballguy
I mean... wtf knows. but that looks good to me.
and can be a 4-2-3-1 in a pinch, with Dest sliding back, Johnny and Adams double pivot, Tillman and Wright either side of Luna in the middle. (problem there, is afaik, Tillman and Haji both play on the right... so could slot in Aaronson or even Quinn on the left... although I think they're both right sided guys as well.)
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I like it accept for Tillman. He does not have the engine to play a wing back IMO. The outside guys in a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 have to run their asses off.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I still think he picked the wrong Aaronson, again.
================================
Big Agy is fun to root for but he has not had a good season in MLS. Rewarding White, Luna and Sebb all makes sense but I think it sends a bad message picking a guy who is a bit out of form in Agy over a guy who has been scoring like crazy in Sargent. I have to assume Poch really does not like what he saw of Sargent last camp.
================================
Big Agy is fun to root for but he has not had a good season in MLS. Rewarding White, Luna and Sebb all makes sense but I think it sends a bad message picking a guy who is a bit out of form in Agy over a guy who has been scoring like crazy in Sargent. I have to assume Poch really does not like what he saw of Sargent last camp.
El Floppo
Footballguy
damn. I hope Musah gets his head on right... Milan has not been good for him in 2025.
footballing reason? I mean- what? I definitely want to hear more about that from Poch. We all know Sarge has his limitations- but his growth curve as a professional has been pretty straight and up, and for a forward, you can't argue his goal scoring. I've been a Haji fan since forever for his overall skill/athleticism set along with his willingness to do the hard work for his teammates. But seeing him play the last few games for Birmingham... he's kinda lost me. Could be a directive from the manager, but he's just floated out on the... oh right! the left side! nm about my previous post... but he's floated out wide there completely uninvolved and then just hero-balls it to try to open up a shot for himself. I didn't see any diagonals, hold up play, or interplay with teammates.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
There is enough talent still on the team to do something this summer but I am certainly not holding my breath after what we saw last camp with arguably a better roster.
================
Picking 4 keepers with out one of them being Kochen makes almost no sense. I don't see any value in having 4 veteran keepers on the roster unless they are worried Steffen is still hurt.
================
Picking 4 keepers with out one of them being Kochen makes almost no sense. I don't see any value in having 4 veteran keepers on the roster unless they are worried Steffen is still hurt.
El Floppo
Footballguy
yeah- I commented about Ag being out of form.
this is purely based on what Poch saw from him in previous camps and Ag producing in those games. it's a valid argument to include, tbh. but not in the face of a competition who kept scoring for his club when Ag hasn't.
El Floppo
Footballguy
this is a B to B+ roster.
in other words, based on last couple outings... who the hell knows if they cant make out of their group or win the whole thing. both equally on the table, although leaning towards the former.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Here is what I will be watching (or cringe watching) as the case may be:
How does Dest look in the Poch offense?
Will a keeper besides Turner step up and take the reigns?
Will Tillman and Johnny finally get closer to their club form against Concacaf teams?
Is Luna the real deal?
With only 2 RB's rostered, will Freeman get some minutes? (I think he will)
How does Dest look in the Poch offense?
Will a keeper besides Turner step up and take the reigns?
Will Tillman and Johnny finally get closer to their club form against Concacaf teams?
Is Luna the real deal?
With only 2 RB's rostered, will Freeman get some minutes? (I think he will)
El Floppo
Footballguy
I'm curious about forward play as well.
Is Balo back to health and can he fit into how Poch wants the team to play?
if not him, who else steps up and takes control of the position?
IMO, White is the MLS prototype- Ching, Twellman, etc- which isn't a bad thing. Works and fights hard, gets in good spots, and does well putting the ball away (at least against lower competition). Remains to be seen if he can elevate to the McBride level and produce vs better, even regional, competition.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I don't know what it is about White, but he seems so pedestrian.
I give him a lot of credit for producing but the highlights I watch, I never see something that jumps off the screen to me or something that looks special. He has ground out a nice journeyman career that seems to be flourishing now at an advanced age but it concerns me that he is maybe the #3 in the depth chart for Poch (assuming Pepi and Balogun are 1/2 however you rank them).
What's to rate when it comes to USMNT play? Obviously there's a big chasm between country play and mid table Championship League play.
El Floppo
Footballguy
but apparently not between country and mid table MLS play.
El Floppo
Footballguy
agree.
what I've seen back to his NYRB days- a guy who fights hard, makes all the runs, gets into good spots, finishes, modicum of ball skills. like you say- nothing outside of those things I just mentioned jump out at you- skills and vision are solid, MLS level. athleticism- same. soccer IQ... same. he's a solid all-around pro, with a nose for the goal. he's the guy your team would be happy to pick up from an expansion draft.
Sarge has shown me more of the intangibles of soccer IQ, skills and vision, with slightly less athleticsm and equal fight, runs and slightly better finishing.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Maybe not reassuring, but White has some Wondo in him. And Wondo will be haunted by the miss at the top level, but he was made for this level. Just a guy who got in the right spaces and showed composure.
I'd have taken Sargent, because it's not like he can work on what Poch wants him to do at Norwich. He's obviously doing exactly what Norwich want him to do. But he did look a lot like he looked at times with Gregg with me in that last window. He really seems to struggle with pressing concepts without the ball. It's weird. It's something I'd expect to have been corrected by now, considering he plays regularly for team that clearly trusts him. But it Poch doesn't find him coachable, that's a problem. He might be in his own head with the national team.
B Maverick
Footballguy
How many mins have these guys played under Poch?
I know there have been limited games, but maybe he's seen what he wants out of the first group, but not the second?
That was my initial thought too...but I feel like some of the second group have played plenty of minutes for him...although I guess if he's planning something new like a 3-5-2 maybe their roles change enough that he needs to see more? Feels like a stretch though.
El Floppo
Footballguy
ching and twellman were the first two that came to mind- but Wondo is perfect.
what I've seen of Sarge at Norwich- and if you look at his goals- they're a ton of tap-ins. that tells me they're doing well in transition, catching the opponent open with Sarge doing a great job getting to the spots and his teammates doing a great job getting him the ball there.
The US doesn't have the luxury of playing head-to-head vs regional opposition and then hitting in transition. Other regional teams know to set a block and force the US to beat them... I haven't seen Sarge be that kind of forward. Unfortuantely I haven't seen it from anybody else either... or any MFers figuring out how to crack it.
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