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I think, he already had like 3 assists in the friendlies or group stages combined. I don't know if he's great. But the scheme is very dependent on overloading the left side, so he gets space. And that's a bigger takeaway to me than whether Max is good enough. Because we already know that it will be a huge blow if anyone other than Robinson is in that spot.
It is ironic, and great, that the guy we were afraid was going to chose Mexico seems the most proud to represent the USMNT.
I think that is very very close to what we will see. Ignoring injuries, Ream is the only one who could fall off a cliff before the WC due to his age. Everyone else will be in their prime or just entering.
It's such a weird vibe as an American not having a top quality keeper. That was our thing!
I won't be surprised if Dest and Jedi are playing, he sits Weah for a more defensive minded MF (especially for cover for Ream).
Arf looked decent getting forward in other GC games. He has a willingness not only to make the run, but also go at guys to create the cross or shot. But I didn't see anything that looked capable of regularly breaking down a WC caliber player.
Yeah, I've brought that up a couple times now. Still like what he brings, but don't think he's there in speed of thought or ability against better players. But he seems like a guy who will rise to the challenge of growing into that more... Just don't see it happening in time for this WC.
I wouldn't say I love him...but who are our better alternatives as backups among attacking players who aren't strikers?
I've mentioned it- my issue with him is seeing him now against better competition lose out to the space and get muscled off the ball offense and defense. It's limited sample size, but it was something I was hoping he'd rise to and didn't.
Slam it shut, just like I've been saying straight along with the other naysayers.
Really impressed with this guy.
How did he find time to get 90% tatted at such a young age? Damn.
Same place he bought his mustache wax.
I was more in awe of Tolkin's majestic hair dye and moustache combo.
Tolkins hair game has always been strong.
For such a long time now we got used to having a very young national team that many of us have forgotten that it is not normal to have such a young team. We are now approaching a normal age team for a WC cycle which makes it harder for younger players to push through.
That kinda makes sense though. It wasn't a given that he'd choose the US, so every time he puts that shirt on, he thinks about that choice and what it means.
Looks like a giraffe on rollerskates.
I was wondering about this. Always had the impression that the reason he wasn't getting selected for our youth teams was lack of work rate. Kind of hard to believe, given what we've seen from him. Did we misunderstand the concerns about him, are coaches really that stupid, or is it possible that he's changed that much in the past year or so?
I don't know how the guy practices. Or what the camps he was in were like. I think it's hard to get a fair idea of that stuff sometimes when you bring guys in for short camps and try to glom them all together to play together.
All makes sense, but you'd think it would be easy enough to see his work rate just from watching film of him playing in MLS. In fact, it's probably something that can be inferred from some of the data that's available to teams now (total distance run, distance run at greater than X speed, etc.).
Look at Shaquiri for an even more extreme example.
I was trying to write something similar to this yesterday, but just gave up. He seems completely annoying to play against and knows where the half spaces are and how to exploit them.
I can't help thinking that the Luna body type is someone Poch would have seen a lot in Argentina. There are a decent number of Argentina/Uruguayan attackers are built like him.
Carlos Tevez for one
Not surprising with the new manager(since March). Figure we're about 2 weeks out from McKennie transfer rumors and training alone and 3 months out from him being the best player on the team again.
Was it ever likely?
Luna was not disrespected by our youth teams. He had 21 U20 caps including being a key player in U20 qualifying and then the U20 World Cup where he started all 5 games.
Thank god. I've seen enough of him.
