TLEF316
Footballguy
A fully staffed Jamaica team is also potentially pretty scary (if they snag the dual nats that they're rumored to land)
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US Men's National Team (18 Viewers)
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Probably a few weeks after the ocho is filled out. Maybe some time in July?
The US only plays at home once in the first three games, against the Canada-Haiti winner.
That is going to be a fairly easy game to place as there are a ton of stadiums we could use with no issues. To limit some travel, I could see it being in the more southern parts of the country, since the two games on either side of it will be in Central America.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Here's the Ocho schedule as it exists right now. No dates, just windows.
- A-F is El Salvador/St. Kitts
- B-E is Canada/Haita
- C-D is Panama/Curacao
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El Floppo
Footballguy
Agree. Really solid in distribution, good in the air and not Ream-slow. Definitely deserves to he in there.
Speaking of Ream..thats the perfect game for him. Cover on the wings, Adams shutting doen the channels, and the opposition going full speed (for Ream, half-speed for everyone else). Hes so good with his passing and decision making on the ball- just have to find the right slo-mo opportunities for him.
El Floppo
Footballguy
They still looked good against Mex and Hon when it counted, but their stars are aging out and i didnt see anybody new pop.
gianmarco
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Just saw that two of our last three games are away to Mexico and then at Costa Rica on the last day. Hopefully we don't go into that game needing a result.
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AAABatteries
Footballguy
This one goes to 11.My son (13) will be playing with a new team next year and the coach said he envisions him playing an 11 role. So where do we get a decent Aaronson jersey?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
yeah, we talked about that when the ocho was first released. It certainly gives even greater impetus to get off to a good start in qualifying. We have never won in Mexico in qualifying and have never even picked up a point in CR in qualifying.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Brian Sciaretta
@BrianSciaretta
Current #USMNT forward Jordan Siebatcheu will be managed by former #USMNT forward David Wagner - who was hired as the new manager for Swiss champions BSC Young Boys.
@BrianSciaretta
Current #USMNT forward Jordan Siebatcheu will be managed by former #USMNT forward David Wagner - who was hired as the new manager for Swiss champions BSC Young Boys.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Antonio, at least, still hasn't accepted a call-up, even for the games this last week.
I was a bit surprised to see Ravel Morrison. What a blast from the past.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
oh this is interesting.....I don't know what unforeseen circumstances GGG was talking about though but this is at least a possible valid reason why Musah did not play in the two nation league games...
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Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Taking the favorite (YMMV) in each play-in matchup:
September 2021
September 2021
- El Salvador v USA
- USA v Canada
- Honduras v USA
- USA v Jamaica
- Panama v USA
- USA v Costa Rica
- USA v Mexico
- Jamaica v USA
- USA v El Salvador
- Canada v USA
- USA v Honduras
- Mexico v USA
- USA v Panama
- Costa Rica v USA
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Lets have some fun with basic math.
Points per game for team that came in 3rd in qualifying
1998: 1.4
2002: 1.7
2006: 1.6
2010: 1.6
2014: 1.5
2018: 1.3
That is an average of 1.5 points per game.
Using that 1.5 for the Ocho, would mean the team in 3rd will roughly need 21 points to qualify over the 14 games.
Interestingly that works out to a perfect 7 wins at home and needing no points on the road.
If the US plays well, I feel like a 5-1-1 record is very achievable at home, which means they only need to scrape 5 points from 7 games total on the road to qualify (on average).
You can see from these numbers, how important grabbing a win in that first game at ELS/StKitts could be long term, especially if we want to avoid being forced to get points at Mexico and at CR at the very end of the cycle.
Points per game for team that came in 3rd in qualifying
1998: 1.4
2002: 1.7
2006: 1.6
2010: 1.6
2014: 1.5
2018: 1.3
That is an average of 1.5 points per game.
Using that 1.5 for the Ocho, would mean the team in 3rd will roughly need 21 points to qualify over the 14 games.
Interestingly that works out to a perfect 7 wins at home and needing no points on the road.
If the US plays well, I feel like a 5-1-1 record is very achievable at home, which means they only need to scrape 5 points from 7 games total on the road to qualify (on average).
You can see from these numbers, how important grabbing a win in that first game at ELS/StKitts could be long term, especially if we want to avoid being forced to get points at Mexico and at CR at the very end of the cycle.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
To be fair, we gave GGG #### for the idea because it made no sense for the US and still doesn't.
As we can see, Adams being in the middle of the field is really important as the next best player behind him in that role is miles behind him in quality.
If we had another player at the 6 who could play at Adams's level, the inverted RB may have worked out well for GGG, but it doesn't make any sense for our current roster IMO.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am hoping there is some real truth to this and not just an excuse. Every single game Musah has played for the US, I have been impressed with him. I would have loved to see him in a non friendly situation but that will have to wait.
His skill set, even as inexperienced as he is, seems so perfect for the #8 GGG wants to use. I really think he is a more complete player than LLetget is at that spot.
It is clear that LLetget is a binky type of player for GGG (almost every coach has one of these). I really would love to see a Musah/Adams/Weston triangle get an extended run together though...
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
- Sargent - Pefok
- Pulisic - Reyna - Aaronson - Weah (holy ####)
- McKennie - Lletget - Musah
- Adams - Acosta
- Robinson - Dest - Cannon
- Brooks - McKenzie - Richards
- Steffan - Horvath
Dike (I'm still lower on him than others in this thread), Miazga, Yedlin, and Bryan Reynolds might be in that mix too. So that's 24 players who might be a core right now.
Can't wait to see the "next" 15-20 players on the Gold Cup team. All of them know, without a doubt, they have to play well to even be considered in the group above.
Anyone want to take a stab at a GC 23?
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gianmarco
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This is not a 23 but just players who will likely get a look.
Gk: Turner
LB: Bello and Vines
CB: Zimmerman, EPB, Sands, Richards and Robinson (Miles)
DM: Busio and Williams
MF: LDT, Green, Owen, Roldan
Wings: Nips, Boyd, Konrad
Strike: Zardes, Hoppe
Not sure about RB since we had so many involved in this current camp.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Bolded are the players I'm hoping to see big things from/I think might have a shot to step up to the main squad.
Turner (or Ochoa) and Richards may be there now.
LDLT, we definitely have a spot for another #8 - so all he has to do is claim it. And he jumps off the screen to me every time I see him.
As you suggested timing may be a problem for Busio as far as WCQ and then the WC. Even if he's good enough, does he have enough opportunity to break in? And would you really take an 19-year old D-mid to the World Cup? Acosta's versatility might hurt Busio here too.
Sands I don't know much about, but everyone who seems to know what they're talking about likes his game and there's room for a good CB.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Wow, I suck at evaluating players. I could watch that specfic game last night a 100 times and never come out with rating Lletget higher than Musah.
I must look at the wrong items when watching individual play.
gianmarco
Footballguy
I didn't agree with most of those ratings. I was referring mostly to the bullet points.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
I still think if we weren't forced to use a sub for Steffen that Musah would have gotten some minutes vs. Mex. (Also hurt that we had to sub out Ream.) Those 5 subs were really used up quick w/ those forced changes.
Is 'Williams' supposed to be Williamson?
I'd expect Llanez to be on this list also if healthy.
I suspect that the roster will exclude a lot of the really young guys who we'd like to see, so not really expecting Bello to make the team and not as sure about Busio as others seem to be. Other guys in same category would include Che, Booth, Cowell, Clark, etc.
Would be amazing if we could use this as an opportunity to secure any of the top dual nationals that haven't committed yet.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Attacking players have a better chance of breaking in young IMO, but I think these guys are likely all fighting to get into the squad for the next cycle. Exciting to think about a couple of them (and maybe a name or two not even on our radar yet) being added to the core we've got already though.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
btw... what's the story with CCV these days? 23 years old, 2000 minutes for Championship Playoff team, Bournemouth. Whoscored has him at 6.79 - which is solid EPL territory. And lists him with a bunch of strengths and no weaknesses. How is he not even on the USMNT radar right now?
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Losing the U20 WC to Covid and having Kries absolutely bottle the U23 roster really does leave us thin on being able to evaluate young talent.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This really hits home thinking about the timing of Morris's injury.
There is a decent chance Morris, who was considered a starter for the US when he blew his knee out, might never make a full US squad again, much less start, even if he unlikely regains 100% of his form again.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Had the same thought for Arriola. The depth there is so strong that the Ralston line is nowhere near good enough anymore.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I feel for the Nips and Morris's because their window to play in a WC is closing really fast but no one can ignore the reality of how much better a player like Aaronson is.
B Maverick
Footballguy
This is usually true everytime Twellman speaks.
Only watched about half the game. CRC, imo, didn't care, didn't pressure and weren't really playing hard. Saw some good things by the US but overall they did what was expected vs a team just trying to get to the beach. Heck, Aaronson dancing on the end line didn't get whacked.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
oh, another obvious guy for Gold Cup I forgot is Pomykal if he is 100%.
The guy was literally designed in the lab to do exactly what GGG needs at the 8. When healthy and in form, he is a massive upgrade from Lletget.
Pomykal, IMO, was the best player on that loaded U20 team that beat France.
But I have no feel for his game post his long injury recovery. He could be JAG at this point.
The guy was literally designed in the lab to do exactly what GGG needs at the 8. When healthy and in form, he is a massive upgrade from Lletget.
Pomykal, IMO, was the best player on that loaded U20 team that beat France.
But I have no feel for his game post his long injury recovery. He could be JAG at this point.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That is pretty much the formula to get a coach fired, which is exactly what happened after the US game last night.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I know GGG doesn't give two ####s about naming a permanent captain, but if he did, you could make a valid case for any of the 3 amigos (Pulisic, Weston, Adams). They each bring a different element to the team in terms of leadership.
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
I think 3rd is gonna need a higher average to advance given the introduction of presumably 2-more weaker sides. We gotta avoid draws against the group minnows.
Pretty amazing that T&T got pipped by St Kitts and Nevis
and awful draws is what did them in.
Curacao taking out Guatemala is pretty hilarious too. Would be fun if one of them can somehow sneak into the Ocho
-QG
Pretty amazing that T&T got pipped by St Kitts and Nevis
and awful draws is what did them in.Curacao taking out Guatemala is pretty hilarious too. Would be fun if one of them can somehow sneak into the Ocho
-QG
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Curacao is loaded with Eredivisie players and managed by Guus Hiddink. I don't think it's at all a surprise that they took out Guatemala and I favor them over Panama (who I think is in pretty steep decline).I think 3rd is gonna need a higher average to advance given the introduction of presumably 2-more weaker sides. We gotta avoid draws against the group minnows.
Pretty amazing that T&T got pipped by St Kitts and Nevis
Curacao taking out Guatemala is pretty hilarious too. Would be fun if one of them can somehow sneak into the Ocho
-QG
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I actually very much like the 5 subs rule. I think it improves the game and adds to the tactical challenges.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Who?
So....yikes. ES probably the only "easy" game, and theyll be brutal away. All the rest are decent...if HON, PAN and CR live up to form. Or they could all drop off...
I thought Lletget was fantastic on the night. Crisp on the ball and moved around really well. He was everywhere. I could see a case beimg made that he was more influential on the game than Musah.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Pefok apparently posted on Instagram that he's fine.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
TripItUp
Footballguy
My biggest fear is that GGG gives favoritism to players he is most familiar with (lletget and Yueill) which is why I brought up the MLS stuff, it looks like unintentional favoritism to me.
And not enough leniency to elite talents like Dike and Musah.
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Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I can't think of a player Gregg is more familiar with than Zardes. And Zardes has been relatively productive for the USMNT. But he wasn't in the team for these games.
B Maverick
Footballguy
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
TripItUp
Footballguy
I thought that was a curious decision, but my best guess is that he wanted/needed Zardes for the Gold Cup.
El Floppo
Footballguy
hopefully he gets there- he has a lot of the intangibles.
I look at Yueill and Lletget as being guys that are familiar, yes, but that fill needed roles there isnt a ton of depth for. Lletgets jackknife ability and very high floor makes him an easy inclusion ona roster. yueill...bleh. out of rated necessity. But we all saw how good he looked against tougher competition..not good. Acosta passed him in the pecking order, so i doubt we see much more of Yueill.
