2021 USMNT Thread

[upperdeck]

its a fine line though between playing guys because you have to see what that can do and just rolling out what might be your best lineup in these things.. Was that Canadas A team?

 

[Orangezoo]

its a fine line though between playing guys because you have to see what that can do and just rolling out what might be your best lineup in these things.. Was that Canadas A team?

For the most part I believe it was. Outside Davies (who didn't play) and Larin though it's mostly MLS or Mexico these guys play I believe

 

[upperdeck]

Not even sure it was our B team. In our best lineup how many of these guys would be playing? If we had controlled the ball playing Zardas and Dike would have been fine but when we didnt it was not a good look.

 

[IthacaMatt]

My issue with him is that I haven't seen him put a squad out there against a decent foe that fits. I don't disagree with a back 3 but when you go that route you need to make sure that you have wingers that are willing track back all game as much as they push forward. From what I've seen with Dest for example, he really would much rather be putting balls in the box vs defending.

I think it's fair to give him the time to make it work in qualifiers and start finding his best lineups and subs adjusted for the opponent and you are right it's probably a little harsh. Having played on the wing I'm always quite a bit more critical of that style in needing guys willing to play 90 mins on both ends.

Nations League. They just won it, beating Mexico in the Final. You got to see all the European based US players. They look like a team with a ton of potential.

 

[IthacaMatt]

its a fine line though between playing guys because you have to see what that can do and just rolling out what might be your best lineup in these things.. Was that Canadas A team?

They were missing their 2 European based star players.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I would say it was more of a push. I felt that despite it not being his traditional role, Hoppe was extremely effective in holding possession on the wing. I think for the knockout rounds you want Hoppe starting out there with Dike. Pines, Zardes and Yuell shouldn't see another minute the rest of the way.

Pines had some positive moments, and Zardes did score in their last game. This is a pretty tough crowd to please.

 

[cusefan88]

If Walker Zimmerman is out I'd like this starting XI for next match:

Turner
Moore-Sands-Robinson-Vines
Acosta (DM) Busio (CM)
Lletget (CAM)
Arriola-Dike-Hoppe

 

[Alsacs]

Nations League. They just won it, beating Mexico in the Final. You got to see all the European based US players. They look like a team with a ton of potential.

The Mexico match in the Nations League was not an endorsement for Berhalter.

We were lucky that outsides VAR negated the second goal.
The mistake from the opening minute was a Bush league brain fart that if Berhalter didn’t preach playing the ball from the back out could have been prevented.

Our players deserve the credit for the Mexico comeback not the manager at all.
The USMNT is on borrowed time with Gregg Berhalter. The faster they move on the better. I would even prefer giving somebody like Jill Ellis a shot at manager than keep Berhalter around. It was a bad hire.

 

[Orangezoo]

Pines had some positive moments, and Zardes did score in their last game. This is a pretty tough crowd to please.

Pines almost gifted Canada a goal. He is a very slim margins defender. He got it right a few times and played better in stretches but he has a long way to go. Zardes did score yes, his issue is that he has such an awful first touch that hasn't improved.

I wouldn't say I'm displeased at all just see plenty of things that need work. Also we are coming off missing a world cup and have lost a lot of ground internationally. The Nations league was a good step forward but it's more like starting to get back closer to where we were than being ahead of where we have been.

 

[Alsacs]

Pines had some positive moments, and Zardes did score in their last game. This is a pretty tough crowd to please.

If you think Zardes is a good striker in International matches I can’t disagree more.
Scoring against Martinque is not anything special.
Just like Wondo I can’t wait for the USMNT to have more quality for the bench.
I don’t feel Zardes brings really anything for the national team.

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

 

[Orangezoo]

Nations League. They just won it, beating Mexico in the Final. You got to see all the European based US players. They look like a team with a ton of potential.

I don't disagree at all about the potential. It's the best potential we have ever had. Berhalter, despite the criticism deserves every shot to make it work. Seeing Dike has me excited about adding him to the group of attacking talent we have.

 

[Orangezoo]

This is great news. I hope he gets real minutes a a chance to really hone all the natural talent. It's the perfect fit league wise for him to do so given his style of play.

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

This is great news. I hope he gets real minutes a a chance to really hone all the natural talent. It's the perfect fit league wise for him to do so given his style of play.

And he and Tessman can be roommates hah. Have to think having another young American with him will help the transition

 

[Orangezoo]

And he and Tessman can be roommates hah. Have to think having another young American with him will help the transition

Crap forgot about Tessman. Great point.

 

[cusefan88]

GGG won't be fired or leave until after WC 2022. It's probably two soon for them but I would love the two americans coaching at the highest level in Europe (Pellegrino Matazzaro and Jesse Marsch)

 

[IthacaMatt]

Pines almost gifted Canada a goal. He is a very slim margins defender. He got it right a few times and played better in stretches but he has a long way to go. Zardes did score yes, his issue is that he has such an awful first touch that hasn't improved.

I wouldn't say I'm displeased at all just see plenty of things that need work. Also we are coming off missing a world cup and have lost a lot of ground internationally. The Nations league was a good step forward but it's more like starting to get back closer to where we were than being ahead of where we have been.

It seems like you're forgetting that these guys are only auditioning to be end-of-the-roster guys in World Cup qualifying. They don't all have to be perfect - or even good enough for the first team.

But there are guys on the team who can help us during qualifying, and so far it's 3 wins out of 3. They haven't played great, but they are getting results. That's important, too.

We had plenty of experienced guys in 2018 qualifying and they just didn't turn up in the big moments.

 

[IthacaMatt]

If you think Zardes is a good striker in International matches I can’t disagree more.
Scoring against Martinque is not anything special.

You should try to enjoy the games more. Zardes is like our 3rd string striker, maybe worse. He gives some energy pressing at the top of the pitch and he knows Berhalter's system, but yes, he's not going to be starting in very many qualifying games unless someone else is injured.

 

[Orangezoo]

It seems like you're forgetting that these guys are only auditioning to be end-of-the-roster guys in World Cup qualifying. They don't all have to be perfect - or even good enough for the first team.

But there are guys on the team who can help us during qualifying, and so far it's 3 wins out of 3. They haven't played great, but they are getting results. That's important, too.

We had plenty of experienced guys in 2018 qualifying and they just didn't turn up in the big moments.

Not forgetting at all. I already noted there are definitely some guys who should get a long look.

Don't take my criticism as being unfair or cynical I totally get it. I actually had a good conversation with John Koskinen a few years ago who I met when he was on the board of where I worked back in 2010. It's just about the challenges of getting over the hump for the USMNT. We are directionally making huge strides with a much larger talent pool. The next and often more difficult step is getting that talent to work together and finding the right 20 guys when the talent pool is trending to be 40-60 deep in the coming years. That means the right coaching staff too.

We are on the verge of becoming a stalwart internationally. The WC failure was a huge set back though. I have a lot of optimism for this cycle and Qatar.

 

[cusefan88]

You should try to enjoy the games more. Zardes is like our 3rd string striker, maybe worse. He gives some energy pressing at the top of the pitch and he knows Berhalter's system, but yes, he's not going to be starting in very many qualifying games unless someone else is injured.

I'm hoping Zardes is at best 5th in the forward pecking order behind Dike, Sargent, Siebatchu, and Hoppe.

For people that are underwhelmed by Sargent all I can tell is that I watched Bremen play a lot and they gave him pretty much nothing to work with. I think he's a still a fantastic talent though I wonder if Dike fits just a bit better style wise.

 

[Orangezoo]

I'm hoping Zardes is at best 5th in the forward pecking order behind Dike, Sargent, Siebatchu, and Hoppe.

For people that are underwhelmed by Sargent all I can tell is that I watched Bremen play a lot and they gave him pretty much nothing to work with. I think he's a still a fantastic talent though I wonder if Dike fits just a bit better style wise.

To me with guys like Reyna, Pulisic, Adams, Mckennie and Yedlin, Dike is the much better option if he can keep growing into that role.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Understand this is the Gold Cup (largely B) team but I hate this back the bus up bunker strategy.

why in God's name would the US be playing the B team in the Gold Cup?

they didnt make the last World Cup, if im them, id be taking this as serious as the Euro's take the Euro.

is this why we always suck?

we take shlit off when we should be practice/playing??

 

[Orangezoo]

why in God's name would the US be playing the B team in the Gold Cup?

they didnt make the last World Cup, if im them, id be taking this as serious as the Euro's take the Euro.

is this why we always suck?

we take shlit off when we should be practice/playing??

Zero correlation. We usually field a primarily domestic league squad for the GC to look for depth for the first team. It's an important opportunity to get a look at some guys leading up to qualifiers.

 

[Orangezoo]

Surprised Mexico brought so many first team guys. Obviously missing a few of the biggest names but still.

 

[DeGrozz]

You should try to enjoy the games more. Zardes is like our 3rd string striker, maybe worse. He gives some energy pressing at the top of the pitch and he knows Berhalter's system, but yes, he's not going to be starting in very many qualifying games unless someone else is injured.

He makes these threads insufferable.

I doubt there are many people that can say less about a game in more posts.