USMNT New Era

[TU_BLA]

So as promised, the US is playing a frenetic high pressure vs Panama tonight. Already I like the renewed energy and focus the US seems to be playing with. Aidan Morris and Busio with starts in the MF along with Musah and Jedi (US is playing a 3-4-2-1 with Jedi playing more of an outside wing. So far everyone, with the exception of Morris, seems up to the task. Morris just hasn't been crisp in his passing. US has created some dynamic attack. Panama hasn't done much. Any time they seem to make a run or build an attack the US defense has been there.

I expect McKennie to come on in the 2nd half. Hopefully he does so for Morris.

 

[drboobay]

Despite some sloppy passes in the first half on the defensive end it has been a good performance.

 

[nevadanatural]

Excellent volley by Musah for the winning goal and a late insurance goal by Pepi to seal the deal. I know it inconsequential but it’s nice to see a coach on the sideline who’s not wearing an old T-shirt and a week’s growth of beard.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Excellent volley by Musah for the winning goal and a late insurance goal by Pepi to seal the deal. I know it inconsequential but it’s nice to see a coach on the sideline who’s not wearing an old T-shirt and a week’s growth of beard.

Be nice to see how they fare against Mexico with the new coach.

 

[quincy101]

Kind of reminds me of Burrhalter's "build from the back" as we spent most of the time kicking it back & forth at midfield. Still, I noticed a tougher effort on 50/50 balls and overall play and think it will get better with all our injured starters back in the future.

 

[TU_BLA]

Kind of reminds me of Burrhalter's "build from the back" as we spent most of the time kicking it back & forth at midfield. Still, I noticed a tougher effort on 50/50 balls and overall play and think it will get better with all our injured starters back in the future.

It was more calculated in the play from the back. I felt it wasn't just making passes to keep the ball with no desire to go forward. I felt that Musah and Busio, when they got the ball in the MF, they looked to turn and go forward when they could. Under Berhalter, that pass always came backwards. The other thing...the passing in the back wasn't predictable like it was under Berhalter. Passes skipped levels and lines to open up spaces. When the primary players were in, the attack and move to get forward was nice. Jedi won a lot of 50/50 high balls. His connection and understanding with Pulisic up the left was a thing of beauty. Under Berhalter you would have never seen Jedi making an inside run to goal...he was stuck in that 1st lane (edge of penalty area to the touchline). Sargent had some nice hold up play and I felt Musah was fantastic. Busio was good as well and I liked McKenzie's activity in cleaning up the crosses and high balls into the box. He was very solid last night. Scally was steady as was Ream. I liked Tessman's activity as well. He looked good on the ball and he seems to be a really big guy.

The one question I have is what does Poch do with Dest when he returns? In the 3-4-2-1, he doesn't really fit in the 3. Does he move up into one of the MF roles and you play Jedi-Adams-Dest-McKennie, with Weah and Pulisic as the double 10s and then Sargent/Balogun up top? Who's the 3rd defender in that instance? Does that leave you with Scally having a permanent role along with 2 CBs?

I also enjoyed the freedom the players seemed to play with. It keeps them engaged instead of pigeon holing them. There's a Ted Lasso episode where he all of a sudden sees the triangles and the Total Football concept and talks about allowing players the freedom of movement but the other players needing to understand and shift/cover. I also like the fact that Poch wants to challenge the defenders to play a higher line and you could hear him shouting for them to move up. Last, I thought Turner was very good last night. As a shot stopper he's excellent. His feet still need work as his distribution out of the back when it's passed back to him is suspect. Several times he put balls directly out trying to hit Jedi or Musah up a wing.

 

[drboobay]

Pulisic and McKennie and a few others heading to clubs.

 

[TU_BLA]

Pulisic and McKennie and a few others heading to clubs.

Not staying for the Mexico game? Probably a good thing for Pulisic as Mexico's tactics against him should draw suspensions. McKennie's toughness in that game is needed though. Pochettino has been clear that he wants to protect players for their clubs when it comes to meaningless friendlies.

 

[drboobay]

Not staying for the Mexico game? Probably a good thing for Pulisic as Mexico's tactics against him should draw suspensions. McKennie's toughness in that game is needed though. Pochettino has been clear that he wants to protect players for their clubs when it comes to meaningless friendlies.

Right.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

God, we knocked it about so well with the crew at the beginning. The passing was intricate. Musah on the wing was interesting.

The subs overall were such a dud.

Pepi needs to start. I loved how he told the interviewers it was six goals in four goals in Q2.

Turner's distribution is so bad. Poch yelled at him several times after his passes because he was holding the ball too long and kicking it out of bounds. He is terrible. We need a replacement. I wonder if he gives Stef a run in Mexico.

Weston Mckennie looked crushed as the first group of starters came off. That used to be me.

 

[drboobay]

God, we knocked it about so well with the crew at the beginning. The passing was intricate. Musah on the wing was interesting.

The subs overall were such a dud.

Pepi needs to start. I loved how he told the interviewers it was six goals in four goals in Q2.

Turner's distribution is so bad. Poch yelled at him several times after his passes because he was holding the ball too long and kicking it out of bounds. He is terrible. We need a replacement. I wonder if he gives Stef a run in Mexico.

Weston Mckennie looked crushed as the first group of starters came off. That used to be me.

Stefan sent back to his club too. Minor injury.

 

[drboobay]

Pulisic, Pepi, McKennie to miss U.S.-Mexico game

Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie will miss the United States' friendly at Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to their clubs in Europe.

www.espn.com

 

[drboobay]

Credit to Turner for two great saves though.

 

[TU_BLA]

Turner is interesting. He hardly plays for his club side which is interesting because Crystal Palace has been awful t start the PL season. You have to think it's because PL teams want Neuer types back there. The world of goalkeeping has changed in soccer in the last 20 years where teams wanted shot stoppers first and everything else came second. Neuer really changed that dynamic and now everyone wants a sweeper keeper and someone you cna use as a 4th or 5th defender to keep possession and build out of the back. Outside of the very basic and rudimentary passes, Turner is not very good at that part of the game for a keeper at this level. Steffen is not good at it, Sean Johnson is not good at it and I haven't seen enough of Horvath to know if he's any good at it or not. Schulte, IMO is the best in the pool right now from the little that I've seen. But Turner is the best shot stopper in the group, IMO.

That said, Mexico ran Memo out there for 15 years and he is terrible with his feet. Jorge Campos he was not.

As for McKennie, I think Poch knows what he has in McKennie so no need to run him out there in garbage games this cycle. I think he knows what he has with a lot of the main line starters. He needs to find the next line of players...the role players and subs and the guys you might insert because they give you a matchup edge against certain squads. His biggest thing will be working in guys like Weah, Adams, and Dest when they return from injury and where do they fit in his preferred formation and style.

BTW, I think this game highlighted where Brendan Aaronson fits best and the style that best suits his game. He is that high energy gnat that pisses off backlines when they're trying to control the ball. He was a perfect fit at Leeds and that style and he was effective at it...problem at Leeds was their backline was so horrendous that you couldn't really afford to high press as much as they did.

 

[nevadanatural]

I’ve never been a fan of Steffen. The US had a great run of goalkeepers until he became #1. Turner is the man now and should be for the near future. His shot stopping is world class and in my opinion distribution isn’t a really big deal as long as you don’t send it to an opponent for a one on one which I’ve seen several times from keepers in PL play. Turner is the only guy on the roster who could have made that double stop preventing Panama from tying the game.

 

[TU_BLA]

I’ve never been a fan of Steffen. The US had a great run of goalkeepers until he became #1. Turner is the man now and should be for the near future. His shot stopping is world class and in my opinion distribution isn’t a really big deal as long as you don’t send it to an opponent for a one on one which I’ve seen several times from keepers in PL play. Turner is the only guy on the roster who could have made that double stop preventing Panama from tying the game.

Agreed on the double stop. The 2nd stop wasn't that difficult in mu opinion, but the first stop was outstanding on a great shot placement from the Panamanian player and I'm not sure Turner had a clean look at it.

But I am going to disagree with you on distribution and being able to be part of the build out. It is such a big part of the game. Just look at how effective TU was in using Alex Lopez as an additional option his FR and SO years (it's been a struggle the last 2 seasons because they didn't have the same 6 nor the options at FB to jump into the attack). No team in the country dared press Alex with the ball at his feet. Part of Turner's issue is it doesn't seem he has great touch with his off foot. But then again, the 2 longer balls I recall specifically were somewhat shanked and way over hit. FC Tulsa used to have a Chilean GK who was fantastic with the ball at his feet and his distribution was just ridiculous. He could hit a 70 yd side volley punt and put it in a 3'x3' space. I am also partial to goalkeepers who can sling throw it 40 yds on a line. The biggest difference between GKs who can or can't get the ball out quickly is their ability to process what they see quickly. I've seen a ton of GKs ate elite levels who struggle to see the field and the possibilities in front of them.

 

[drboobay]

McKennie injury relief for Juventus

Weston McKennie will miss Saturday's Serie A match against Lazio, but the American midfielder's injury is not as severe as initially thought, so he may be

football-italia.net

 

[TU_BLA]

An interesting question was posed after Brad Guzan stood on his head for Atlanta United against Inter Miami in the MLS playoffs to send Messi, Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez to the golf course this weekend. Should Guzan be getting some USMNT call ups? He's better than any current players in the pool in distribution and with his feet. He makes more A+ saves than most of the other GKs in the pool with the possible exception of Turner.

The only thing hampering Guzan is his age, at nearly 40. But his play is still pretty exemplary and high level.

 

[TU_BLA]

1-0 win last night in Kingston for the US. Pepi scored early and the US held on. Jamaica should be fined for the condition of the pitch which I think was intentional. It looked like Indian Springs on a tournament weekend after a foot of rain. US had a hard time connecting passes and getting out of their own way for the most part. Musah and McKennie were good. Pulisic looked off, he was OK but not the great he has been n Italy. Jedi was phenomenal. CBs were fine. Scally was a meh. US really struggled at the 6 and 8. Cardoso and Tessman were not good and Cardoso left after only 15 minutes and Malik Tillman came in for him.

Turner made 2 stops that should have found their way onto SPortscenter's top 10 for the night. 1st one was on a PK. Good PK taken by the Jamaican but Turner made a ridiculous save. He had another one off a corner that might have ended in an Olympico if not for him. Jamaica was good at pressing the US in the MF and creating turnovers. Not a good thing when you consider Mexico is even better at that type of style. US probably should have made it 2-0 in the 1st half on a really nice build up play and break. I saw some really dynamic movement on this play. Whoever was shooting was sort of lazy about it and hit Andre Blake in the chest with it.

2nd leg next week (Tuesday I think).

 

[quincy101]

Agree it was a pretty lackluster performance. Passing mostly horrible, too many giveaways, Pulisic and Musah...meh! And still we can only score once and Pepe was lucky. Had half the net to shoot at & clanks it off the inside of the post. Busio is beginning to impress and prolly should have started. Agree with Bla on Scally, Tessman and Cardoso. Tillman is improving as a full time starter for PSV. Wonder what our new $6 million coach thinks of that less than stellar performance? Also agree on field condition...ugh!

 

[drboobay]

It was a win and that is something. But Jamaica had the initiative most of the game.

 

[nevadanatural]

Horrible performance. I counted 4 bad giveaways in our end in the first two minutes alone. We were really lucky it wasn’t 1-0 the other direction. Hopefully we do better in the second leg.

 

[drboobay]

Horrible performance. I counted 4 bad giveaways in our end in the first two minutes alone. We were really lucky it wasn’t 1-0 the other direction. Hopefully we do better in the second leg.

But a win. Turner gets some credit though he left the box a few times and made me nervous!

 

[TU_BLA]

US leads Jamaica 3-0 (4-0 agg) in leg 2 of the Nations League quarterfinals. Pulisic with 2 goals and Pepi with the third. The US has thoroughly dominated this game. Probably 75% possession and what the US is doing with movement is insane tonight. And I can't tell you what formation the US is playing. It's a blob really and the only 2 really defined roles are Ream and Richards at the CB spots. Jedi is playing a hybrid 6/8 role tonight but dropping into his left FB role when he needs to defend. I think Jamaica has a shot on goal but it's from 35 yards and not a tester at all. And the US could legit have 5 goals tonight. One of the better all around performances I've seen from this group in a long time. Passing has been crisp and on target and on time. Pulisic and Weah have been weaving in and out so much they look like the Harlem Globetrotters.

And Pulisic's first goal was world class. Not sure who put the service in for him, maybe Musah, but Pulisic half volleyed it into the goal past Blake who was spewing out to challenge.

 

[nevadanatural]

The service on Pulisic’s first goal was from McKennie. That half volley was beautiful. We’re a much more dangerous team with Weah on the pitch. Second half defense could have been better but the result was never in doubt. Musah played very well tonight and if not for a couple of whiffs he would have had more assists.

 

[drboobay]

First goal assist was McKennie it appears.

 

[quincy101]

What surprised me was Jedi in central defense. Had to be a Pochettino tweak but it worked fine. He's such a great player he can play anywhere in defense. Never been a fan of Scally and last night wasn't any different. His passes suck...long or short.

 

[TU_BLA]

What surprised me was Jedi in central defense. Had to be a Pochettino tweak but it worked fine. He's such a great player he can play anywhere in defense. Never been a fan of Scally and last night wasn't any different. His passes suck...long or short.

Scally was fine last night. I understand what you're saying because his passes, IMO, are too soft. Pass with some pace and purpose. Last night was fine though. Tessman was also good last night. Not great and he certainly isn't Adams.

The US formation almost looked like a 2-4-3-1 last night but the middle 7 all looked interchangeable as they were all over the field. I think the 4th US goal started with a Jedi step in and interception before he dribbled to the outside of the box and slipped the pass wide to Musah who then flipped the cross to Weah.

 

[quincy101]

his passes, IMO, are too soft.

Always too soft, long passes are never accurate, but most are backwards towards our net. He knows his passing sucks but never improves.

 

[drboobay]

Always too soft, long passes are never accurate, but most are backwards towards our net. He knows his passing sucks but never improves.

Lots of wasted crosses. Hard to remember one that caused any danger.

 

[nevadanatural]

Lots of wasted crosses. Hard to remember one that caused any danger.

The lack of danger was bue to the receiver of the cross. Pepi whiffed on two Musah balls that were delivered right to his feet.

 

[drboobay]

The lack of danger was bue to the receiver of the cross. Pepi whiffed on two Musah balls that were delivered right to his feet.

My comment was on Scally.

 

[TU_BLA]

US C-side (as my son calls it) is currently up 1-0 on Costa Rica. I think Costa Rica is playing a B-side at best. US has looked really good so far and probably should be up by 2 or 3 in the 1st half.

 

[TU_BLA]

Hilarious thing about this game is it's being played in Orlando, probably when it was planned they figured a minimum of 60 degrees. It's frigid out. Damarcus Beasley is wearing full on Mt. Everest climbing jacket and beanie

 

[TU_BLA]

Steffen had an incredible save early in the 2nd half to keep the lead at 1-0. US adds a 2nd with Caden Clark's goal late

 

[HuffyCane]

Hilarious thing about this game is it's being played in Orlando, probably when it was planned they figured a minimum of 60 degrees. It's frigid out. Damarcus Beasley is wearing full on Mt. Everest climbing jacket and beanie

There’s an inch of snow on the ground two hours to the north.

 

[TU_BLA]

There’s an inch of snow on the ground two hours to the north.

My son's old soccer coach is in Tampa area now but I think he had his team on the Gulf Coast of MS for a tournament and he shot a photo right outside his hotel (on the beach) and it was just plastered in snow. He is not a cold weather type of guy. There have been some FL soccer moms on a Soccer Parent page asking about cold weather gear for their kids because they've never really had to deal with it. I just had to laugh. I remember the TU women playing a home game back in 1993 in late October and Skelly was covered in snow and ice. It started falling early in the game and the ref (and I think it was Milo) just kept playing through it. It was hilarious.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

My son's old soccer coach is in Tampa area now but I think he had his team on the Gulf Coast of MS for a tournament and he shot a photo right outside his hotel (on the beach) and it was just plastered in snow. He is not a cold weather type of guy. There have been some FL soccer moms on a Soccer Parent page asking about cold weather gear for their kids because they've never really had to deal with it. I just had to laugh. I remember the TU women playing a home game back in 1993 in late October and Skelly was covered in snow and ice. It started falling early in the game and the ref (and I think it was Milo) just kept playing through it. It was hilarious.

Too funny... snow in a swamp. I guess it can happen.

 

[TU_BLA]

Carrot Top with a brace for Norwich City so far over Swansea City. I didn't even realize he was back from his injury. 2nd goal came in the 63' about a minute after Swansea had knotted it.

BTW, I realized the call ups this past week were all young guys with the exception of a few key backline vets. No Jordan Morris or other MLS guys who had been part of the pool for a while. And the young guys played well given their inexperience in int'l soccer at that level. I do like what Poch is doing and trying to ID some depth and guys who might take some minutes in Gold Cup. I think he knows his preferred 23 plus 5 for WC consideration next year but it's always good to find some depth in the event of injuries, and let's face it, the injury bug has been an issue for the US at key positions (Adams, Dest, Reyna, Pulisic). I like the kid from Charlotte Agyemang (sp?)), Cremaschi, and Luna (when he just plays and isn't trying to get under opponents' skin). Agyemang reminds me of Altidore except with speed and a really nice first touch. He's not quite as strong. I still think Poch wants to ID 2 9s depending on the opponent. He wants the quick fast find space 9 which I think is Balogun right now. The other is that big hold up 9 who can AND will track back to help defensively. I want to think Sargent is that guy right now but Pepi, Vazquez, and Haji Wright, and maybe Pefok gets a look again). He's down in the list but he may be a guy to watch. He's still really young.

Additionally, Poch is trying to get his frenetic press and attack in place and teaching the younger guys now will allow them to get the old sit and counter US system out of them early. Funny thing is I think guys like Pulisic and Weah and McKennie love playing this full field press and attack and we're probably pretty frustrated that Berhalter has them sitting and sitting and sitting and playing backwards more than looking to break and find space.

 

[HuffyCane]

I hear that if you back pass in training there are consequences.