NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Yeah I should have mention him. It was almost like he was singled out. I wonder if the sitter miss followed up by his terrible body language made Poch sit up and notice and not in a good way.
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US Men's National Team (17 Viewers)
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Long wait now until the big games against Portugal and Belgium next spring of which I am going to assume will be very very close to the final roster.
ESPN is reporting the US will only have two more games after that, as the warm up to the WC but I think that is a mistake. I think it will be three games after the Belgium Portugal games.
ESPN is reporting the US will only have two more games after that, as the warm up to the WC but I think that is a mistake. I think it will be three games after the Belgium Portugal games.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
At least this fantastic run of games won’t make me cringe when the US goes in Pot A for the draw.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I wonder about Pepi...i dont think he should be out,but wtf knows with Poch.
For me, Timmy was really poor tonight...dont aee him getting another shot.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Holy crap has Poch had it with the media. They can't stop asking him about his "regular players" that were not here. He went on a rant on the very first question and then the next question asked almost the same thing in a different way and Poch said he was going to leave the press conference if this continued.
Then a Spanish speaker tried to explain it in another way and Poch lost it. He asked if the US lost this game 5-1 and who were these regular players everyone keeps asking about.
I swear he is going to roster like 7 players no one expects just to spite them.
This is as unhinged as I have seen him.
Then a Spanish speaker tried to explain it in another way and Poch lost it. He asked if the US lost this game 5-1 and who were these regular players everyone keeps asking about.
I swear he is going to roster like 7 players no one expects just to spite them.
This is as unhinged as I have seen him.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
lol. he is still ranting...."very disappointed in these questions, very sad situation........"
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
ok he calmed down with a question about Freeman. He absolutely loves Freeman. He sees him as something very unique as a CB who can get forward which will cause problems for teams.
I think Freeman is not only going to be on the roster, I think Poch may be considering him as a starter. With Miles clearly losing a step after the injury, I think Freeman's upside is so much bigger.
I think Freeman is not only going to be on the roster, I think Poch may be considering him as a starter. With Miles clearly losing a step after the injury, I think Freeman's upside is so much bigger.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This is what happens when you use scouting information from 10 years ago
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[Booker] Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa reportedly told one of his players that playing in MLS "makes players lazy" & that they must play elsewhere to make his squads. His Uruguay side is currently down 4-1 at halftime to the United States & all four goals were scored by MLS players
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Uruguay has gone 4 years with out giving up even 3 goals in any game.
Uruguay has not given up 5 goals in a game in the last 9 years. Ironically the last time was also against a Concacaf team, Mexico.
Uruguay has not given up 5 goals in a game in the last 9 years. Ironically the last time was also against a Concacaf team, Mexico.
SpurrierisisGod
Footballguy
Noooooooo
SpurrierisisGod
Footballguy
Our BB team just lit up an Uruguay team that no one knows nothing about but looked outclassed. Freeman has been mid-below average any other time out. Let's not jump the gun here.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
IMO, Freeman has absolutely looked the part all 3 times he has played CB. Poch was pretty clear that he causes a match up problem for other teams.
He looked very average when he was playing in the Dest role, which he is not really suited for.
He was going to be marginal to make the squad as a wing back. But what he has shown in this hybrid role over 3 games now is very impressive IMO.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
my favorite answer from Poch was just after he was livid and some one asked whether they practiced the free kick goal that Sebbbb hit and Poch just throws up his hands and says "no we did not practice, it was all a coincidence..next question"
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Agreed. He was poor to middling as a right back in a back 4. I don't recall him playing as a RWB though... In any case playing as an RCB in a 3 man back line where a DM stays back deep while he can get forward? That's where he's really shined. Sometimes tactics can bring the best out of a player.
Is there a chance that both Freeman and Dest get too far forward at the same time and leave space for the opposition to play a diagonal over the top or into space in a transition? Yes, for sure. If I'm a deep lying playmaker, I'm looking for that option for my left AM / striker to get on the end of that pass and likely have 1 man to beat to get a shot on goal.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Note that when on offense tonight, Morris dropped very deep to stay in between the two CB’s, so even when Freeman advanced his position they always had three at the back.
However, even though the US has outplayed the last 5.5 opponents, by quite a margin, that the opponents always seem to find a way to create a counter against this formation. This will be exploited at the WC unless the tactics change slightly.
Uruguay had no real dangerous counters that I can recall so maybe the dropping of the DM in between the two remaining CB’s was the tactical change. I can’t remember if they did this in previous games or not.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
So am I reading these standings correctly?
Did Costa Rica effectively finished in 12th place in Concacaf? This has to be one of their worst cycles in a long long time.
Did Costa Rica effectively finished in 12th place in Concacaf? This has to be one of their worst cycles in a long long time.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
It's weird because Tenorio's question was not at all hostile. It was drawing a contrast between how good these 'non-regular" players looked tonight versus how it was against Switzerland. It was trying to flatter Poch by essentially saying that he had built the base so that everyone could come in an meet the standard. But I get that Poch is very protective of anyone he calls in and plays.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Can someone unpack the formation for me? I see 3-4-2-1, but how does it actually play in and out of possession?
If the "4" has twin d-mid types, or a back-foot 8, in the middle I can 100% see Berhalter lining up next to Adams. I'm not familiar with him from MLS, but love what I've seen from him.
If the "4" has twin d-mid types, or a back-foot 8, in the middle I can 100% see Berhalter lining up next to Adams. I'm not familiar with him from MLS, but love what I've seen from him.
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Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
------------Freese
----Freeman Richards Trusty?
Dest Berhalter? Adams Jedi
----(Zendejas/McKennie/Reyna/Tillman) CP
-----------Balogun
I like that quite a bit and IMO it gets around being too light defensively if you have either McKennie or Reyna on the field.
A bench with Weah, McKennie, Haji and Reyna on it would be something else too. Certain heads would explode.
ETA: forgot Tillman originally. Crowded.
----Freeman Richards Trusty?
Dest Berhalter? Adams Jedi
----(Zendejas/McKennie/Reyna/Tillman) CP
-----------Balogun
I like that quite a bit and IMO it gets around being too light defensively if you have either McKennie or Reyna on the field.
A bench with Weah, McKennie, Haji and Reyna on it would be something else too. Certain heads would explode.
ETA: forgot Tillman originally. Crowded.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
In possession:
RCB is allowed to push high, DM drops down between the 2 remaining CB's. The two wide players in the formation push extremely high up the field. One of the two 8's drops back a bit. They have been building out of the back and mostly comes from a player in the middle of the field finding one of the wide players to get the possession going forward. They have also done a nice job of breaking the lines from the back to one of the 8's.
On defense:
in the opponents end, it is a lot of pressing to win the ball back. should that fail, the defense then returns to a more traditional look of 3 CB's, 2 holding midfielders in front of them with the 2 wing backs getting back to cover the wide areas. Every one else, except the striker, then helps out where they can. Striker remains some what high even on defense. He is only used to bother the CB's should they get involved in the offensive end.
Note though that the US has done so well pressing to get the ball back, that the defense in a traditional mode, has not been really tested much in this great run. Eventually they are going to play teams that will out possess the US and then we really need to see what will happen.
These are the players that are all in contention for the spot next to Adams:
Tessman, Roldan, Sebbbb, Morris and Johnny. I figure only 2 of these players are going to make the squad because Weston can also fill this role. Roldan is having the season of his life. Tessman has Poch's trust and is playing well in France. Sebbb made the leap from average to very strong MLS player this year. Morris has been solid playing nearly every minute in the Championship and Johnny remains the enigma.
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Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Thanks for the rundown.
I've seen enough of Johnny and don't care anymore what he does in Spain, and couldn't disagree more about Weston in that role. I may be overly biased towards the run all day dedicated nippy pressmonsters for that role though (which is also why I like what I've seen from Berhalter, who seems to come with the bonus of set pieces and ball striking).
I bet Roldan goes for vibe/leadership reasons even if he doesn't see the field. I can't say much about Tessman or Morris.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That line up is very close to what we will see I think.
Ream continues to have Poch's trust so it is Ream, Trusty or the late hope of Banks (a wonderful looking 18 year old already starting in the Bundesliga).
The spot next to CP is also really crowded. You could easily add Aaronson (who I don't like) and Luna (who Poch does like) to the group as well. If every one is healthy, Tillman is almost certainly the starter. He carried the team on his back this summer when so many others bailed.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
It's a good-team problem to have if Zendejas, McKennie, Reyna are all on the bench because there are only so many spots available, they all fit the same role, and the coach isn't forcing square pegs into round holes. That's one advantage Poch has IMO -- his pedigree lets him do that in a way Berhalter would have been (and was!) killed for.
From what I've seen here:
Tillman
Zendejas, McKennie, Reyna (I think Zendejas is probably the best fit from this group, but not necessarily the best player)
Luna
Aaronson
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
@NewlyRetired (and others)...
If you take my take on the first team (Trusty/Berhalter/Tillman), and don't reuse anyone, what does the SECOND XI look like in the exact same formation?
If you take my take on the first team (Trusty/Berhalter/Tillman), and don't reuse anyone, what does the SECOND XI look like in the exact same formation?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Luna and Zendejas give the team something a little different.
Reyna is a cut above every one else on this list offensively. Whether he will work hard enough at club to get back into top form is another question. He is not the type of player a team fighting relegation usually needs
With the other talent on this list, Aaronson should be a long shot to make the squad IMO. Weston gives the teams options based on the game state.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
......................................................Turner (who the **** knows because Poch only plays Freese)
.............................Miles..........McKenzie.........Ream
.....Weston...................Tessman........Roldan....................Arfsten
.......................................Zendejas..........................Reyna
..............................................................Haji (or Pepi but as pointed out Pepi may have been the second biggest loser in this camp to Pepi).
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
How in gods name are we in the best run of maybe my life time (in terms of on field play more than just pure results), and we have the JAG of all JAG's in goal who seemingly can't be touched?
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I might put Weah in for Weston there, not sure McKennie covers enough ground to play a true two-way wingback.
Which kind of points out his problem in my mind. He's super versatile and skilled (and a very very good player!) but if the roles are hyper defined he might not be your best option anywhere.
Which kind of points out his problem in my mind. He's super versatile and skilled (and a very very good player!) but if the roles are hyper defined he might not be your best option anywhere.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
My take on the DM position (assuming we think Adams is a lock for one of them).
Sebb has been the least consistent in this run. He has consistent effort, but there were times where he lost duels. But his set piece proficiency is a pretty big asset that none of the other candidates at this position possess. And Sebb may be significantly better next year considering his trajectory.
Roldan is super consistent. I don't think he ever plays "bad" per se. He is always where he is supposed to be. He has that elusive "soccer IQ." He competes in duels and even for aerial balls despite not being physically ideal for those categories. He is also culture-setter (which I understand Sebb is as well). I think this is a factor that is hard for fans to understand. We scoff at "locker room guys." But good teams have them. Good teams trust each other, and the team trusts Roldan. That's his biggest asset.
Tessman -- Outside of setpiece situations, he's the CDM who seems most comfortable getting into more attacking positions. And that is a facet in this system. They aren't always just staying back. I have less trust in him winning duels than some of the other guys. The question I have with Tessman is that what I view as his strengths are also kind of how I would see McKennie in this role And is Weston just better at all the same stuff?
Morris -- He's the closest thing to offering what Adams offers. He's very, very good in duels. His passing is simple. I think you lose some offensive bite with him, but he's very good at the dirty work.
If you had told me six months ago that we'd have 6 DMs that I was more than OK with even without Johnny changing my opinion of him, I'd have thought you were crazy. If I were making the call and I had already decided that Adams and McKennie were on the team, I think I'd take Roldan and Morris out of these two. But I don't think I'd be bothered by any of them.
Sebb has been the least consistent in this run. He has consistent effort, but there were times where he lost duels. But his set piece proficiency is a pretty big asset that none of the other candidates at this position possess. And Sebb may be significantly better next year considering his trajectory.
Roldan is super consistent. I don't think he ever plays "bad" per se. He is always where he is supposed to be. He has that elusive "soccer IQ." He competes in duels and even for aerial balls despite not being physically ideal for those categories. He is also culture-setter (which I understand Sebb is as well). I think this is a factor that is hard for fans to understand. We scoff at "locker room guys." But good teams have them. Good teams trust each other, and the team trusts Roldan. That's his biggest asset.
Tessman -- Outside of setpiece situations, he's the CDM who seems most comfortable getting into more attacking positions. And that is a facet in this system. They aren't always just staying back. I have less trust in him winning duels than some of the other guys. The question I have with Tessman is that what I view as his strengths are also kind of how I would see McKennie in this role And is Weston just better at all the same stuff?
Morris -- He's the closest thing to offering what Adams offers. He's very, very good in duels. His passing is simple. I think you lose some offensive bite with him, but he's very good at the dirty work.
If you had told me six months ago that we'd have 6 DMs that I was more than OK with even without Johnny changing my opinion of him, I'd have thought you were crazy. If I were making the call and I had already decided that Adams and McKennie were on the team, I think I'd take Roldan and Morris out of these two. But I don't think I'd be bothered by any of them.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
yes, excellent call on Weah. The depth is so large right now, I kind of forgot about him.
Weston does play that exact role a lot for Juventus but then again he has played almost every role in his career so that is not saying much.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I do wish we had better options at GK. But I also think Jordan Pickford is objectively below the standard of England goalkeepers historically, and England is still in their best run of international form in at least 50 years with Pickford being their GK pretty exclusively. It's just a weird position. I feel that a lot of GK are competent shot stoppers and you just don't know which one will have a brain fart in any given game. I wouldn't have picked Emi Martinez to be the GK to get Messi his World Cup either. And yeah, Pickford and Martinez are both better than Freese, sure. But I think a lot of teams will JAGs in goal for the World Cup.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I'm sure you all have covered this already, but the "nepo-baby" to, "huh, I guess he's pretty good after all" parallels between Bradley/Bradley and Berhalter/Berhalter under a not-dad coach are pretty funny.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
What really amazes me thinking back maybe a year ago or more, is having this conversation of so many names and Musah not being on anyone's list as maybe even a long shot.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Holy crap. Completely forgot about him. Is he completely out of the picture?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
While Michael was a better player than Sebb, I do think Bob helped his son a lot more than GGG helped Sebbbbb.
Remember that Sebbb had never represented a youth team even once while his dad was at the top of the coaching pyramid and Gregg was gone at Columbus while Sebb was still in college.
I don't think Sebb ever got the nepo baby tag because he never really got help from his dad. I am pretty sure Bob was the head coach of NY when Michael came through the system.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
His club career has faded. And he appears to have shot himself in the foot when he was invited to the Gold Cup and refused. I think Musah is a lot of what Poch refers to in his rants about not treating the callups like the be all and end all.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Musah used to, at least, be very strong at ball progression. That was his thing. A Darlington Nagbe starter kit. The think is that I don't think he has Nagbe's IQ. Or, as WhoScored put it, his concentration. He's kind of the anti-Roldan in that respect. I think Musah has far, far more natural talent than Roldan. But right now, Roldan is a better footballer. And none of Musah's talent is going to matter if he can't recognize danger and snuff it out. Or if he's not in the right position to help his partner keep possession.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Have fun simulating
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There is really only one bad draw and that is getting Norway in pot 3. If the US avoids that, I like most of the results I am seeing in terms of advancement.
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There is really only one bad draw and that is getting Norway in pot 3. If the US avoids that, I like most of the results I am seeing in terms of advancement.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I read that there is no camp cup cake this year. Probably makes sense but with so many MLS players in consideration, I think I still would have wanted one just to keep everyone in top shape in January
Wouldn't it actually be MORE useful this year, since we could put together a team that might have a good number of players who will actually be on the team?
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Can we package Freese and one of our now too many mid-fielders for a better keeper and a player to be named later? LOL
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Yes, that is what I was thinking but from reading, Poch seems to be pretty set on what his roster will be in March and does not want to do any more experimenting. I would prefer a camp myself but it is what it is.
Poch now intends to return to England and focus heavily on the Euro based players this winter in terms of scouting.
If Arfsten and Freeman both get a move to Europe this winter that will help.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Fwiw, Swag has been more of a 10 or wide MF for Juve. I haven't seen him playing deeper as a 6 as much if at all.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Not as a 6 but he has played the wide role in the 4 man midfield numerous times for Juve.
TLEF316
Footballguy
If I had to predict Poch's 26 man WC roster today (assuming full health)......
GK- Freese, Turner and a 3rd that really doesn't matter (If I had to guess, I'd say Schulte)
Wingbacks- Dest, A-Rob, Arfsten, Weah
CB's- Richards, Ream, McKenzie, Freeman, Miles, Banks
MFs- Adams, Weston, Berhalter, Gio, Luna, Roldan, Aaronson, Tessman
F- Balo, Pepi, CP, Haji, Tilman
Turner is currently on the outs, but I bet he starts the MLS season strong and gets the call. would prefer to see a young guy like Brady as the #3, but i bet they just bring a guy who has been in camp more.
All the wingbacks are locks if healthy.
Richards, Ream and now Freeman are locks. McKenzie SHOULD be. I obviously would bring someone better than Miles, but Poch will take him over the Celtic boys. Obviously Banks hasn't had a lot of opportunities but 6 more months of consistent starts in Germany will leave Poch no choice.
A couple of MF spots potentially up for grabs (In theory, the spots currently held by Aaronson and Tessman) but I think Poch likes both of them enough. Gio did enough to earn his spot this camp as his creativity is a weapon the others mostly dont have. Berhalter, Roldan and Luna are all locks IMO based on what Poch has said and done. In his mind, those are the culture guys and to be fair...they've all had some really good games.
Forwards are pretty self explanatory . Haji was bad last night but i still have to believe they bring him over someone like Ageymang. Obviously there are other guys listed at other spots who can play up there as well (Gio, Weah, I guess Weston)
IMO, the ship has sailed on Kochen (even if he got a loan now, they wont bring him), Musah, Scally, Maloney, Luca, Quin Sullivan, Pax Aaronson and Sargent.
Door is still theoretically open for a bunch of other GK's, the Celtic boys, Tolken, Morris, Johnny, Zendejas and Agyemang.
GK- Freese, Turner and a 3rd that really doesn't matter (If I had to guess, I'd say Schulte)
Wingbacks- Dest, A-Rob, Arfsten, Weah
CB's- Richards, Ream, McKenzie, Freeman, Miles, Banks
MFs- Adams, Weston, Berhalter, Gio, Luna, Roldan, Aaronson, Tessman
F- Balo, Pepi, CP, Haji, Tilman
Turner is currently on the outs, but I bet he starts the MLS season strong and gets the call. would prefer to see a young guy like Brady as the #3, but i bet they just bring a guy who has been in camp more.
All the wingbacks are locks if healthy.
Richards, Ream and now Freeman are locks. McKenzie SHOULD be. I obviously would bring someone better than Miles, but Poch will take him over the Celtic boys. Obviously Banks hasn't had a lot of opportunities but 6 more months of consistent starts in Germany will leave Poch no choice.
A couple of MF spots potentially up for grabs (In theory, the spots currently held by Aaronson and Tessman) but I think Poch likes both of them enough. Gio did enough to earn his spot this camp as his creativity is a weapon the others mostly dont have. Berhalter, Roldan and Luna are all locks IMO based on what Poch has said and done. In his mind, those are the culture guys and to be fair...they've all had some really good games.
Forwards are pretty self explanatory . Haji was bad last night but i still have to believe they bring him over someone like Ageymang. Obviously there are other guys listed at other spots who can play up there as well (Gio, Weah, I guess Weston)
IMO, the ship has sailed on Kochen (even if he got a loan now, they wont bring him), Musah, Scally, Maloney, Luca, Quin Sullivan, Pax Aaronson and Sargent.
Door is still theoretically open for a bunch of other GK's, the Celtic boys, Tolken, Morris, Johnny, Zendejas and Agyemang.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Seems almost unimaginable now that we had prime age Keller, Friedel and Meola all at the same time. Meola was the effing 3rd string keeper while simultaneously being the only keeper in MLS history to be league MVP.
Imagine where Freese likely ranks in the MVP race today?
TennesseeJed
Footballguy
Sorry, but I don't see any world in which Luna is not in the squad at all (which is what this 2nd XI sort of implies)
Luna has the most caps of any player this year. He is the kind of gritty, passionate, player that Poch likes.
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