USMNT 2024 | Page 14 | Syracusefan.com

USMNT 2024

OrangeFoo said:
I keep going back to the fact that we went from a team of players who carried the pressure of their club teams on their shoulders to a bunch of water carriers. They carry water for better club teams than ever… but they don’t make the winning plays. Pulisic is the one exception.
Expand...

I think some of the other guys are stepping up, but a couple of the expected "stars" have not.
 
Thoughts on the Venezuela friendly. General observation - I thought we played better offensively than we usually do in these January friendlies with all MLS guys in their pre-season. I like Poch's approach of using the first week for fitness, and the second week for tactics and strategy. There was pretty good one-touch passing among a bunch of guys I'd never heard of before.

I thought Patrick Agyemang was an absolute handful up front, and was very happy for him to get his goal. Reminded me of a better version of Jordan Pefok or Hadji Wright.

The announcers made a big deal out of that guy Jack McGwyn in midfield, and he looked the part. Nice creative midfielder in the Gio Reyna vein. Caden Clark, who had such a nice impact on the national team this time a year or two ago, was not very visible.

Shaq Moore and Miles Robinson had very good games in defense. Schulte, the goal keeper, had a solid game. Gutierrez was pretty good, and Matko Miljevic had a goal, could have had another, and looks like a player with some attacking potential.

We'll see how they do against Costa Rica on Wednesday, but I thought that was a well played game, and a handful of guys looked like they could help the team.
 
IthacaMatt said:
Thoughts on the Venezuela friendly. General observation - I thought we played better offensively than we usually do in these January friendlies with all MLS guys in their pre-season. I like Poch's approach of using the first week for fitness, and the second week for tactics and strategy. There was pretty good one-touch passing among a bunch of guys I'd never heard of before.

I thought Patrick Agyemang was an absolute handful up front, and was very happy for him to get his goal. Reminded me of a better version of Jordan Pefok or Hadji Wright.

The announcers made a big deal out of that guy Jack McGwyn in midfield, and he looked the part. Nice creative midfielder in the Gio Reyna vein. Caden Clark, who had such a nice impact on the national team this time a year or two ago, was not very visible.

Shaq Moore and Miles Robinson had very good games in defense. Schulte, the goal keeper, had a solid game. Gutierrez was pretty good, and Matko Miljevic had a goal, could have had another, and looks like a player with some attacking potential.

We'll see how they do against Costa Rica on Wednesday, but I thought that was a well played game, and a handful of guys looked like they could help the team.
Expand...
What was the strategy for getting into the offence? Was it everything had to be started by the CBs and everything went wide or was there some creativity in the buildup and they used the middle of the pitch?
 
OrangeFoo said:
What was the strategy for getting into the offence? Was it everything had to be started by the CBs and everything went wide or was there some creativity in the buildup and they used the middle of the pitch?
Expand...

It was a bit of everything. Center backs initiate the play. Whether they went through the middle or out wide depended on what the defense was doing, whether they were pressing.

I thought that McGwyn (sp?), Gutierrez had a lot of the ball in midfield. Shaq Moore was tucking into the midfield, too, as is the recent style in England. There were some nice through balls for the center forward, who went rampaging up the middle in chase a number of times.

It looked pretty dynamic and attacking compared to sterile possession under Berhalter. They were quicker in the pass and looking more vertical and less side-to-side.
 
IthacaMatt said:
It was a bit of everything. Center backs initiate the play. Whether they went through the middle or out wide depended on what the defense was doing, whether they were pressing.

I thought that McGwyn (sp?), Gutierrez had a lot of the ball in midfield. Shaq Moore was tucking into the midfield, too, as is the recent style in England. There were some nice through balls for the center forward, who went rampaging up the middle in chase a number of times.

It looked pretty dynamic and attacking compared to sterile possession under Berhalter. They were quicker in the pass and looking more vertical and less side-to-side.
Expand...
McGlynn was excellent on the Olympic team last summer and has drawn Euro interest recently. Only a matter of time before he moves abroad.
 
Great takes by all. I was surprised and impressed by this group of players. Yeah, it was Venezuela, but we actually looked like a team that knew what they wanted to do with the ball and how they wanted to dictate play. Very refreshing. We had guys who could possess the ball and distribute without the midfield panic we’ve seen in previous years. Can’t wait for Wednesday.
 
those last few plays by Agyemang were interesting. Burst that we dont see much of on our team/
 
PeteCalvin said:
Great takes by all. I was surprised and impressed by this group of players. Yeah, it was Venezuela, but we actually looked like a team that knew what they wanted to do with the ball and how they wanted to dictate play. Very refreshing. We had guys who could possess the ball and distribute without the midfield panic we’ve seen in previous years. Can’t wait for Wednesday.
Expand...

Yeah, these January MLS camps were often very sterile under Gregg. The MLS guys seemed more borderline. Poch seemed to get quite a lot out of the group. Everybody got a shot, literally.
 
After watching the Costa Rica game, Agyemang, that Charlotte forward, had another impressive performance with his late cameo and goal. Well taken again. He seems more direct and powerful than some of our other potential number 9's. But this hasn't been elite opposition.

McGwynn (hope I got it right this time ...) struck me as a bit of a Cole Palmer type. Languid style on the ball, surprisingly tall kid with great vision. He and Gio Reyna are competing for the same minutes, to me, going forward.

I liked Vasilev, or whatever his name is. Thought he was pretty good on the ball and worked hard tracking back defensively. Gutierrez was solid again. Miles Robinson at the right back was basically a back three. Thought we were pretty solid.

Zack Steffen with a couple great saves. He's played the best of anybody in the national team goal this past year or so, but I've heard he had a terrible year last year in MLS. At least he was playing, but sheesh, you hope he can use this as a platform to play better this season.

Shaq Moore is a pretty big guy. I like him more than I used to. He seems to be getting better on the ball, and was pretty good in tight spaces in midfield.

Ream and Robinson were very solid. Bloody nose guy is a legend now. He'll be in the mix for #10 in the next camp, too. I don't see how you can't invite at least 4 or 5 of these guys to the March camp. It will keep the European based guys on their toes, that's for sure. These guys worked and played hard in this window. Great to see. Loved it.
 
IthacaMatt said:
After watching the Costa Rica game, Agyemang, that Charlotte forward, had another impressive performance with his late cameo and goal. Well taken again. He seems more direct and powerful than some of our other potential number 9's. But this hasn't been elite opposition.

McGwynn (hope I got it right this time ...) struck me as a bit of a Cole Palmer type. Languid style on the ball, surprisingly tall kid with great vision. He and Gio Reyna are competing for the same minutes, to me, going forward.

I liked Vasilev, or whatever his name is. Thought he was pretty good on the ball and worked hard tracking back defensively. Gutierrez was solid again. Miles Robinson at the right back was basically a back three. Thought we were pretty solid.

Zack Steffen with a couple great saves. He's played the best of anybody in the national team goal this past year or so, but I've heard he had a terrible year last year in MLS. At least he was playing, but sheesh, you hope he can use this as a platform to play better this season.

Shaq Moore is a pretty big guy. I like him more than I used to. He seems to be getting better on the ball, and was pretty good in tight spaces in midfield.

Ream and Robinson were very solid. Bloody nose guy is a legend now. He'll be in the mix for #10 in the next camp, too. I don't see how you can't invite at least 4 or 5 of these guys to the March camp. It will keep the European based guys on their toes, that's for sure. These guys worked and played hard in this window. Great to see. Loved it.
Expand...
It’s McGlynn…

I was going to ask if Reyna was even an option anymore and it looks like he’s having a decent year with 11 appearances and 2 goals. Also looks like Milan might be interested in buying him.

They need to move on from Ream now… he can’t be the starting CB in 2026 at his age.

Not having to qualify is great and all but this team needs competitive matches for Poch to really figure out what he’s got.
 
OrangeFoo said:
It’s McGlynn…

I was going to ask if Reyna was even an option anymore and it looks like he’s having a decent year with 11 appearances and 2 goals. Also looks like Milan might be interested in buying him.

They need to move on from Ream now… he can’t be the starting CB in 2026 at his age.

Not having to qualify is great and all but this team needs competitive matches for Poch to really figure out what he’s got.
Expand...

Competitive matches coming up for the Gold Cup semifinals.

I'm happy to have Ream around and in the team. He played at a high level for a long time in the Premier League. He has calm and experience. He doesn't have the legs to play against top competition, but he can help shape these young defenders for the better.
 
IthacaMatt said:
After watching the Costa Rica game, Agyemang, that Charlotte forward, had another impressive performance with his late cameo and goal. Well taken again. He seems more direct and powerful than some of our other potential number 9's. But this hasn't been elite opposition.

McGwynn (hope I got it right this time ...) struck me as a bit of a Cole Palmer type. Languid style on the ball, surprisingly tall kid with great vision. He and Gio Reyna are competing for the same minutes, to me, going forward.

I liked Vasilev, or whatever his name is. Thought he was pretty good on the ball and worked hard tracking back defensively. Gutierrez was solid again. Miles Robinson at the right back was basically a back three. Thought we were pretty solid.

Zack Steffen with a couple great saves. He's played the best of anybody in the national team goal this past year or so, but I've heard he had a terrible year last year in MLS. At least he was playing, but sheesh, you hope he can use this as a platform to play better this season.

Shaq Moore is a pretty big guy. I like him more than I used to. He seems to be getting better on the ball, and was pretty good in tight spaces in midfield.

Ream and Robinson were very solid. Bloody nose guy is a legend now. He'll be in the mix for #10 in the next camp, too. I don't see how you can't invite at least 4 or 5 of these guys to the March camp. It will keep the European based guys on their toes, that's for sure. These guys worked and played hard in this window. Great to see. Loved it.
Expand...
Diego Luna is Bloody Nose Guy. Ponch seems to really like his grit. Agyemang is going to be one to watch going forward. He has “it”. I bet Europe comes calling very soon.
 
PeteCalvin said:
Diego Luna is Bloody Nose Guy. Ponch seems to really like his grit. Agyemang is going to be one to watch going forward. He has “it”. I bet Europe comes calling very soon.
Expand...
Am I getting people mixed up or wasn't Luna the guy that people were pissed didn't make the cut in whatever our last tournament was? Pretty sure people were talking about him potentially trying to jump to Mexico or something because he felt slighted.
 
one thing about soccer its hard to play well if you are trying to bleed out the clock, and with limited subbing
 
PeteCalvin said:
Pepi is hurt now too. I think we’ll see some new guys get a chance in the next window.
Expand...
Just maybe my guy Josh Sargent will actually produce. He's been hurt so many windows and ineffective. I'm praying to St. Mauricio.
 
upperdeck said:
Big story about Sands on the USMT and then 2 days later he breaks his leg
Expand...
If we are depending on sands for anything more than squad depth we are in trouble. Nice player but not a difference maker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Nicknack
    • Like
    • Wow
My Very Low Point as a Die Hard Cuse Basketball Fan
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
Eric15
Eric15
RF2044
    • Like
I know that Cal isn't very good...
Replies
6
Views
947
Bulldog04
Bulldog04
sutomcat
    • Like
Orangeyes Daily Articles for Tuesday for Football
Replies
0
Views
527
sutomcat
sutomcat
D
Shorten the bench and the Three Yutes need to play more
Replies
1
Views
493
chuck
C
SWC75
Who to root for
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Idiocuse22&
I

Forum statistics

Threads
172,185
Messages
5,001,602
Members
6,023
Latest member
cuseman2016

Share this page

Online statistics

Members online
191
Guests online
1,217
Total visitors
1,408
Totals may include hidden visitors.


...
Top Bottom