USMNT Player Pool Discussion

[loca2874]

I can't say we were outplayed the whole time. Our issue, as it was against Jamaica and Canada, was the backline. What we found out is out of the 7 backs who played, only 1 will be on the A squad list (Robinson) and the others only come close if we are hit with a rash of injuries. I don't ever want to see Long or Miazga in a national team uniform again. Jones is not quite ready for that level and Reynolds, Neal, and Tolkin were way out of their league against the good CONCACAF sides. I still think Yedlin is serviceable as a backup to Dest but we have a lot of decent options for that role.

Up front, Ferreira did nothing to hurt his chances as the backup 9 to Balogun and I think Vazquez will also be an option there. Cowell has the talent to be part of the A-side but his game needs to mature some. I think he has comparable 1 v 1 technical skills as to Reyna and Pulisic. The difference between those guys and Cowell is the field vision and the quality of the service into the box. He put a lot of people on skates when he was in and certainly was dangerous in the area. Busio is almost there but he lacks confidence and decision making.

Turner looked confused at times during the shootout.

I think the B squad did pretty well during the tournament. do I wish we had beat Panama and I dont have to listen to my Panamanian coworker today, yes. I still think they did well. I do beleive they were outplayed most of the game yesterday and most of the first half against Canada they were outplayed as well. AS always there are good an bad things.

As for Turner, I like Turner. you say he looked confused during the penalties. Saving those shots is mostly luck. you have to pick the right direction. Against Canada he got it done. Against Panama, the Panamanian keeper got it done. Turner has made some good saves in this tournament.

 

[HuffyCane]

Turner may be the best pure athlete ever to play for the USMNT, Eddie Pope and Marvel Wynne both included, who had world class Olympic speed before injuries. Not only is he career like 17 blocks on 32 penalties in non shoot out opportunities over his career, which is absurd, he had offers to play college basketball and golf. If you've read or heard that story about him at batting practice in St. Louis a few weeks ago, its hilarious. Basically, they let celebrities take a few batting practice swings to entertain the early arriving fans and kill time while the players warm up. Turner took a strike, then crushed two home runs. Which had the better part of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization suddenly captivated. The guy throwing said after the third home run he held nothing back. Turner still had a fourth home run and made contact with most of his remaining pitches. Scouts present expressed interest in who he was and what he did for a living.

 

[TU_BLA]

I think the B squad did pretty well during the tournament. do I wish we had beat Panama and I dont have to listen to my Panamanian coworker today, yes. I still think they did well. I do beleive they were outplayed most of the game yesterday and most of the first half against Canada they were outplayed as well. AS always there are good an bad things.

As for Turner, I like Turner. you say he looked confused during the penalties. Saving those shots is mostly luck. you have to pick the right direction. Against Canada he got it done. Against Panama, the Panamanian keeper got it done. Turner has made some good saves in this tournament.

Yeah...Turner looked like he didn't want to guess too much and I 100% understand that. A lot of times the PK taker gives a clue to where they're going. Roldan gave away his PK (IMO)...a little glance to his left and in a way you could tell where he was going. My son a GK who has a pretty good success rate against PKs says most PK takers give away where they're going with it before they even get the ball to put down on the spot). Besides giving it away, you could tell Roldan had the "Don't miss the goal" thought in his head. It was poorly places and didn't have enough pace behind it. It wasn't a confident take IMO. Ferreira's was different. I think he was trying to out think the Panamanian GK and didn't want to go back to where he went on Sunday. Panamanian GK was thinking the same thing and beat him to the spot.

But my point was it didn't seem like Turner was really picking up on the Panamanian body language during their approaches. Granted, there were at least 2 that even had me confused and were just well approached and taken PKs. I felt the game winner was 1 that Turner should have been able to read...I knew where he was going the second he touched the ball when the ref handed it to him. My wife knew too and she was only partially watching as she was baking a retirement cake for a co-worker.

I think I would have preferred seeing Roldan and Yedlin with the starts last night. Yedlin is a known commodity and just a much better defender than Reynolds who knows how to get forward and get involved in the attack. I didn't like starting Ferreira at a wing and Vazquez in the middle...I would have stayed with Ferreira at the 9 with Roldan starting on the wing (he's a better defender out there than I've seen from Gressel and the others and he looks to create plays and chances for teammates).

 

[HuffyCane]

Roldan had been playing well. You have to play the practice/lockerroom leaders at times, especially when guys on trial or who have "earned a look" aren't playing up to standards.

 

[TU_BLA]

Turner may be the best pure athlete ever to play for the USMNT, Eddie Pope and Marvel Wynne both included, who had world class Olympic speed before injuries. Not only is he career like 17 blocks on 32 penalties in non shoot out opportunities over his career, which is absurd, he had offers to play college basketball and golf. If you've read or heard that story about him at batting practice in St. Louis a few weeks ago, its hilarious. Basically, they let celebrities take a few batting practice swings to entertain the early arriving fans and kill time while the players warm up. Turner took a strike, then crushed two home runs. Which had the better part of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization suddenly captivated. The guy throwing said after the third home run he held nothing back. Turner still had a fourth home run and made contact with most of his remaining pitches. Scouts present expressed interest in who he was and what he did for a living.

I've read Turner's path to soccer. He basically decided to play soccer in HS only as a way to keep in shape for basketball season. He was essentially a backup defender for his HS soccer team (which was one of the best in NJ) until the only GK got injured and Turner volunteered to play GK. And when you watch Turner he is what I call awkwardly athletic. because he is seemingly all legs and arms. His ability to react is probably his greatest asset...what NFL scouts would call a great twitch. He can make up for a lot of technical deficiencies as a GK with that reaction time.

 

[quincy101]

C. Pulisic gets his first action for AC Milan in one of those "play a lower div. team to build confidence" pre-season matches while their next opponent is Real Madrid in a few days. And CP starts on the left while Leao sits it out. He gets around 60 minutes & sets up 2 of Milan's 1st 4 goals before subbing out. CP's new coach, Pioli, now knows exactly who replaces Rafael Leao due to rest or injury on the left wing. CP also had around a half dozen crosses into the box and 3 or 4 shots, one of which clanked off a post.

Thang is, I know CP can provide or score just as efficiently from the right wing which is likely where he will start. MNT fans know well that Pulisic is just as lethal with his left foot as he is with his right.

With a few weeks left in the summer window, there is still buzz about Yunus Musah joining Milan. How sweet would that be? Unfortunately, Arsenal wants too much for Balogun. I doubt Milan would pay 40+ mill. euros for anyone.

 

[quincy101]

It's "old home week" for C. Pulisic. Not only does he have 3 former teammates from Chelsea (Loftus-Cheek-meh!; Tomori & Olivier Giroud) on the Milan squad, but now an MNT guy in the squad...Yunus Musah who has signed for 17-18 mill euros. Milan has also signed a right winger from Valencia in La Liga who looks like a stud, guy named Chukwazee. This may bounce CP from right wing to a #10 role, in which I expect to see him vs Barcelona in a couple days.

It was fun to see Milan & CP vs Juventus a couple days ago with Wes McKinnie & his newest mate.. Tim Weah. Both got starts and played well, particularly Weah in a 2-2 tie with PK's deciding Juve the winner. Tim Weah just gets better & better and no doubt a starter for Juve either on the right wing or wingback. Don't know about McKinnie starting but he didn't hurt his chances vs Milan.

 

[quincy101]

Don't know what Pulisic's problem was but he stunk it up for 70 minutes vs Barcelona in a friendly loss. It was again on the right side. With all the new Milan signings, the only thing left for him to start regularly will be as a #10, assuming he shows out there.

Dortmund is also playing friendlies in the US but Gio Reyna is not getting any minutes and he is not injured. That's worrisome.

On a brighter note, Wes McKinnie & Tim Weah started again for Juve vs Real Madrid and after 25 minutes, the Yanks had a hand in both Juve goals in a 3-1 win. McKinnie whacks a shot off a post which comes straight out to a teammate who slots it home. 10 minutes later, McKinnie feeds Weah for what turns out to be the game winner.

Yunus Musah did not travel to the States with Milan so I can't really say how he will fit in.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Tyler Adams to Chelsea on a 25M transfer. I thought I was done having to root for those ding-dongs. Go kick ass boy!

 

[quincy101]

I guess I'm happy for Adams. His income will hit new highs. Chelsea has an all new look since they got rid of around 15 players this summer window. But let's hope he starts when fully recovered from surgery. If his game is back to normal, he's a top 5 defensive midfielder in the EPL and thus the world. Don't want another Pulisic situation where he rarely gets off the bench.

 

[HuffyCane]

They have already announced the intention to acquire another mid-fielder to play over top of him and haven’t abandoned that intention since losing out on caicedo. He’s a sign, jersey sale and sale on player once healthy, it would appear.

 

[TU_BLA]

They have already announced the intention to acquire another mid-fielder to play over top of him and haven’t abandoned that intention since losing out on caicedo. He’s a sign, jersey sale and sale on player once healthy, it would appear.

Happy Liverpool acquired Caicedo. Apparently he's really good according to my son.

 

[TU_BLA]

Happy Liverpool acquired Caicedo. Apparently he's really good according to my son.

Welp! Apparently Caicedo rejected Liverpool

 

[HuffyCane]

Welp! Apparently Caicedo rejected Liverpool

The Adams deal is in shambles as a result. Now you hear rumors that he will replace Caicedo at Brighton. This is why I pay no attention to the transfer market and really dont follow the EPL until Boxing Day/end of winter transfer window.

 

[TU_BLA]

We'll Brighton know they have a star under contract and can command a high $ transfer fee. Chelsea low balled it, LFC met it but apparently Caicedo only wants a Real Madrid/Barca type club

 

[nevadanatural]

It was good to see Matt Turner in goal for Forest today. If he maintains the #1 spot that will be much better for him than riding the pine at Arsenal.

 

[TU_BLA]

It was good to see Matt Turner in goal for Forest today. If he maintains the #1 spot that will be much better for him than riding the pine at Arsenal.

Yeah and they recalled Horvath from Luton too so 2 American GKs on the same squad. But the constant rumor is Forest is trying to get Dean Henderson from United permanently.

 

[quincy101]

Where's Waldo? (OK Bla?). No, I mean Gio Reyna. Not in the squad yesterday for Dortmund. Is he hurt? transferred out? just out of favor with the coach? It's not good, whatever the problem. Same question for Jordan Pefok at Union Berlin. He wasn't in the squad today but Brendan Aaronson was & started for Union. As active as ever but no goal. It's kinda cool that Paxton A. is in the Bundesliga (I think with Frankfurt) and the brothers will soon knock heads. B. Aaronson will play in the Ch Lg this season and (maybe) Pefok with Union. Unfortunately for Pefok, the starting striker for Union scores a hat-trick today in a win vs Mainz.

Assuming Balogun stays healthy for the MNT call-ups, who will be 1st off the bench? My choice is always Josh Sargent who has 2 goals in the 1st 3 matches for Norwich City and is playing center forward for the Canaries. He was all over the 18 yard box & got Norwich's 2nd today in a win. The goal was weird as he heads it off the near post, it ricochets to the other post & off that post to trickle across the line.

Great news for Tyler Adams. He's officially with Bournemouth in the EPL which finished 15th in the league last season. Better news...he's been practicing with them but no way fit enough to play. The 4-month hamstring issue is apparently over.

 

[quincy101]

C. Pulisic opens his account in Serie A with a goal today in a 2-0 win. He and his old pal from Chelsea days, Monsieur Olivier Giroud, had a big hand in both Milan goals in the first 20 minutes. CP delivers a free kick to the back post, a teammate cuts it back & Giroud slots it home from a tough angle. 10 minutes later, Giroud back heels a give & go with CP who whacks it in, surrounded by 3 defenders.

Milan had 4 ex-Chelsea players starting (Tomori & Loftus-Cheek also). Like old home week for CP. Yunus Musah DNP. It seems he got some red cards in Spain last season with Valencia & for some reason it carries over, even to a different league and country. Weird! But he'll be ready this week-end if Pioli chooses to play him.

 

[nevadanatural]

Pulisic goes 90 today for Milan and scores the first goal in a 4-1 rout. Musah came in during the second half and got 25 solid minutes.

 

[TU_BLA]

Pulisic goes 90 today for Milan and scores the first goal in a 4-1 rout. Musah came in during the second half and got 25 solid minutes.

Glad he is getting the time. Once Tuchel took over at Chelsea he basically black flagged Pulisic for whatever reason. Never gave him a fair shot to contribute despite his obvious talent.

Robinson had a solid game for Fulham today as they got a result at the Emirates vs Arsenal. Fulham looks like they'll be a top half of the table team again (and they played without Ream who was on a red card suspension). Forest started well against United (2 goals first 4 minutes) but the Red Devils were too strong at Old Trafford, who scored 3, one coming after a Forest player was sent off. Tyler Adams was in the stadium today for Bournemouth but not suited up. He's not quite ready to play matches yet but has been training so closer.

 

[TU_BLA]

So does Crammaschi (sp?) from Inter Miami get a call up to a USMNT camp to see what he can do? Playing alongside Messi has absolutely elevated his game.

 

[quincy101]

So does Crammaschi (sp?) from Inter Miami get a call up to a USMNT camp to see what he can do?

Yes, yes he does. Beer?halter, fresh off his latest lengthy vacay (this one-8 mos, and the other 13 mos.) called this guy up. And 3 other 0 cap guys. Not a bad squad, all in all. Don't count on Gio Reyna. Beer?halter admits he hasn't talked to Gio, but "plans to". Gio has an ankle issue and isn't fit anyway. But when, if ever, will these two talk?

 

[TU_BLA]

Yes, yes he does. Beer?halter, fresh off his latest lengthy vacay (this one-8 mos, and the other 13 mos.) called this guy up. And 3 other 0 cap guys. Not a bad squad, all in all. Don't count on Gio Reyna. Beer?halter admits he hasn't talked to Gio, but "plans to". Gio has an ankle issue and isn't fit anyway. But when, if ever, will these two talk?

Yeah, I wasn't aware Reyna was injured and that's why he hasn't been playing or part of the squad at Dortmund.

 

[TU_BLA]

Yes, yes he does. Beer?halter, fresh off his latest lengthy vacay (this one-8 mos, and the other 13 mos.) called this guy up. And 3 other 0 cap guys. Not a bad squad, all in all. Don't count on Gio Reyna. Beer?halter admits he hasn't talked to Gio, but "plans to". Gio has an ankle issue and isn't fit anyway. But when, if ever, will these two talk?

There are a couple of guys I have not heard of, like one of the defenders. I like Cowell a lot. Crammaschi I can see if he's got good players with him. The connection he has developed with Messi at Inter Miami can only be good for his game. He's starting to understand movement off the ball, his movement in relation to others around him, and where he can try to fit in those cheeky little passes. He knows where Messi is going to be in the box and it's not always a straight line to goal.

Speaking of, Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Nashville last night. They were going to be hard pressed to make the playoffs because they were so dreadful before Messi & Co's arrival but this is going to make it nearly impossible as they were essentially having to win every game the rest of the season and then hoping teams in front dropped most of their points.

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

If Gio can't ever get 100% healthy, that's on him. He's a drama queen.

 

[TU_BLA]

It was mentioned somewhere, maybe on a USMNT Instagram (or fan account) that is has now been a full 4 years since Mexico has beaten the US in a match of any kind. There have been 5 matches since 9/6/2019 and the Us has won 3 and drawn 2. Mexico fans must be melting over that because there is not really any time Mexico will be a favorite to beat the US when the US is able to run it's A team out really in the next 6-8 years. The young talent pool in Mexico is not equal to that in the US right now and the old Mexican guard is just that...old. I mean Mexico keeps trotting out a 38 yr old keeper in Ochoa, whose decision making and aggressiveness off his line is still that of the 25 yr old Memo not understanding the crazy athleticism he used to rely on to make up for his mistakes, is not what it used to be.

US soccer is in a very good place right now. And McKennie says it's his goal to both win the WC in 2026 and set the US up to be a top nation for soccer after that.

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

Mexico hatred > SMU + Houston + OSU = f***faces and hillbillies

 

[TU_BLA]

Mexico hatred > SMU + Houston + OSU = f***faces and hillbillies

My hatred of Houston will never be surpassed by anything...except
Maybe my hatred for the Yankees, Jets, and Rangers.

I'm sorry I missed this zinger that the Big XII essentially added 3 community colleges to the mix this year with UH, UCF, and UC.

 

[HuffyCane]

The first time I went to Azteca, we were escorted by riot police riding in Jeeps mounted with machine guns. We were completely surrounded by riot cops the whole game and sequestered inside a 12 foot barbwired chain link fence. We were constantly pelted by all kinds of objects: urine coins batteries trash, you name it. Somebody threw a toilet seat. We were made to walk through an overflowing sewer to the bus. When we left several hundred people were at the gate throwing rocks and bottles.

The last time I was there, the crowd was joking with us. Somebody asked to exchange jerseys with me.

That’s the state of soccer in Mexico.

 

[TU_BLA]

The first time I went to Azteca, we were escorted by riot police riding in Jeeps mounted with machine guns. We were completely surrounded by riot cops the whole game and sequestered inside a 12 foot barbwired chain link fence. We were constantly pelted by all kinds of objects: urine coins batteries trash, you name it. Somebody threw a toilet seat. We were made to walk through an overflowing sewer to the bus. When we left several hundred people were at the gate throwing rocks and bottles.

The last time I was there, the crowd was joking with us. Somebody asked to exchange jerseys with me.

That’s the state of soccer in Mexico.

I was thinking of scenes like this, the "puta" yell, and many more as to the complaints from LigaMx as to why all the LeaguesCup and Nations League and Gold Cup finals are played in the US. No team not from Mexico should ever be subjected to BS like that.

 

[HuffyCane]

I was thinking of scenes like this, the "puta" yell, and many more as to the complaints from LigaMx as to why all the LeaguesCup and Nations League and Gold Cup finals are played in the US. No team not from Mexico should ever be subjected to BS like that.

They have an inflatable tunnel that extends out to about midfield for the players to enter and exit for their own protection. They ain’t worried about insults. They are worried about incendiaries and razor blades welded into belt buckles and thrown like slings.

 

[nevadanatural]

It was a good surprise to see the A team (mostly) take the field yesterday against Uzbekistan. Richards and De La Torre played well. I was singularly unimpressed by any of the subs other than Pepi.

 

[drboobay]

We did not look very good beyond the first 20 minutes. Game was much closer than the final score suggested.

 

[TU_BLA]

We did not look very good beyond the first 20 minutes. Game was much closer than the final score suggested.

Most of what I read said the same thing. Lackadaisical focus and effort after the initial 15-20 minutes of the game. Happens in a completely meaningless game...except they shouldn't be viewed as meaningless.

 

[HuffyCane]

We don’t have to qualify and we hired a coach known to have favorites. Increasingly the media and the public perceive the program as second rate or unimportant. Fans have lost interest. The players mailing it in is no surprise. Like I’ve said, they aren’t trying to win.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Cindy Parlow needs to be released.

 

[TU_BLA]

Cremaschi and Paredes made their debuts vs Oman the other night. Paredes was directly involved in a goal only 30 seconds after coming on. Cremaschi looked good and bad in his minutes. At times looking a little overwhelmed by the moment (he's 18) and at other times looking like the player with the quality that pushed Berhalter to call him in. I think a lot of these kids get into situations on the field and the constant push to "play simple" actually removes them from why they were called in in the first place. You can take some chances to go 1 v 1 with a defender in the last 1/3 but too ofter Cremaschi and Paredes found themselves bunched in the right corner with Dest and there were a lot of little tic tac passes that had no intent to create space for the other players and move the defenders. The defenders actually just held their ground and didn't chase because they didn't have to.

The other note from Tuesday was that Mexico and the majority of its top players tied Uzbekistan 3-3. While the US didn't play a great game against Uzbekistan, they didn't concede a goal and they never looked out of control of the game, despite looking bored and disinterested at times. Mexico is in real trouble headed to 2026.

Also, saw an article yesterday talking about all these players who could have played for England but chose to represent a different nation. Players like Kasper Schmeichel, Erling Halaand, a few French players, some players from Scotland and Ireland, and a couple of German players. Haaland and Schmeichel stood out. Also on the list were a few Americans like Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna.

 

[drboobay]

At the end of the day 7-0 against these teams is hard to argue against.

 

[HuffyCane]

Cremaschi and Paredes made their debuts vs Oman the other night. Paredes was directly involved in a goal only 30 seconds after coming on. Cremaschi looked good and bad in his minutes. At times looking a little overwhelmed by the moment (he's 18) and at other times looking like the player with the quality that pushed Berhalter to call him in. I think a lot of these kids get into situations on the field and the constant push to "play simple" actually removes them from why they were called in in the first place. You can take some chances to go 1 v 1 with a defender in the last 1/3 but too ofter Cremaschi and Paredes found themselves bunched in the right corner with Dest and there were a lot of little tic tac passes that had no intent to create space for the other players and move the defenders. The defenders actually just held their ground and didn't chase because they didn't have to.

The other note from Tuesday was that Mexico and the majority of its top players tied Uzbekistan 3-3. While the US didn't play a great game against Uzbekistan, they didn't concede a goal and they never looked out of control of the game, despite looking bored and disinterested at times. Mexico is in real trouble headed to 2026.

Also, saw an article yesterday talking about all these players who could have played for England but chose to represent a different nation. Players like Kasper Schmeichel, Erling Halaand, a few French players, some players from Scotland and Ireland, and a couple of German players. Haaland and Schmeichel stood out. Also on the list were a few Americans like Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna.

Southgate has admitted publicly they should have cap tied Musah when they had the chance.