USMNT soccer team thread

[Alsacs]

But its better than losing 2-0 at Guatemala by letting a 37 year old with a pot belly Carlos Ruiz score on us by getting behind the D on a ball over the top.

The biggest problem we have is we don't know what we have because our coach holds grudges and won't play anyone who doesn't fit his vision for what a soccer player should be. And even when he calls in his favorites he doesn't play them in the position they normally play.

I agree our player pool isn't that great but it's better than what Klinsie's done with it over the last few years.

The loss at Guatemala was a joke and a firable offense.

Klinsmann is trying to raise the bar for USMNT. He hates our grinding it out stratefy he wants us to play like a good team.

The problem is we don't have that talent. If Klinsmann managed a team like Belgium ideas would work.


Our talent is not good enough to play a 3-3-4 which is what Klinsmann wants to play ideally.

The MLS is not where our top players should be playing. I wonder when the USA have a player become a regular starter at Barcelona/Madrid/Bayern/Man U/Man City/Chelsea/PSG/Juventus hell I would take Spurs or Liverpool right now.

Our talent pool is like players from the West Coast Conference compared to the top teams being P5 leagues.

Klinny is arrogant but he wants the talent pool to challenge themselves. Michael Bradley/Jozy/Dempsey coming back to MLS was bad. Jordan Morris turning down Werner for MLS was for the national team but good for his own pockets.

MLS has helped the rest of CONCACAF more than it has helped the USA move up.

 

[CUSU]

The loss at Guatemala was a joke and a firable offense.

Klinsmann is trying to raise the bar for USMNT. He hates our grinding it out stratefy he wants us to play like a good team.

The problem is we don't have that talent. If Klinsmann managed a team like Belgium ideas would work.


Our talent is not good enough to play a 3-3-4 which is what Klinsmann wants to play ideally.

The MLS is not where our top players should be playing. I wonder when the USA have a player become a regular starter at Barcelona/Madrid/Bayern/Man U/Man City/Chelsea/PSG/Juventus hell I would take Spurs or Liverpool right now.

Our talent pool is like players from the West Coast Conference compared to the top teams being P5 leagues.

Klinny is arrogant but he wants the talent pool to challenge themselves. Michael Bradley/Jozy/Dempsey coming back to MLS was bad. Jordan Morris turning down Werner for MLS was for the national team but good for his own pockets.

MLS has helped the rest of CONCACAF more than it has helped the USA move up.

We have the ability to play an almost Euro first league squad similar to the formation we played last game.

------Pulisic-------Demspey-------Bedoya
--------------Johnson----Bradley------
---------------------Cameron----------------
Chandler -----Brooks-----Besler-----Yedlin
----------------------Guzan------------------

Bundesliga- Johnson, Brooks, Chandler, Pulisic
BPL- Yedlin, Cameron, Guzan
Ligue 1 - Bedoya
MLS- Besler, Bradley, Dempsey


That's 8/11 starters playing in first level European Leagues in this possible lineup. Then the 3 MLS players have proven that they can play on an international level.

Doesn't include other possibilities like Bobby Wood in Bundesliga 2, Danny Williams in the Championship Division, Aaron Johanssen also in Bundesliga 1, Alfredo Morales Bundesliga 1. I'm probably forgetting others.

Jurgen can and should win a majority of games with this at his disposal. Are they world killers? No, but they can win games.

His tactics are schlit, along with his roster decisions.

 

[CUSU]

Getting excited for the upcoming Copa America Centenario. I might attend the USMNT game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly.

With that said here is the 23 man squad I would bring at this moment.

*Can play multiple positions

GK: Guzan, Howard
RB: Yedlin*, Chandler
CB: Brooks, Besler, Birnbaum, Gonzales
LB: Ream, Villafana
DM: Cameron*, Beckman
CM: Bradley, Jones, Nagbe, Zusi
AM/Wings: Johnson*, Bedoya, Nguyen, Pulisic
: Altidore, Dempsey, Wood

The two formations I would consider is a 4-2-2-2 and a 4-3-3.

4-2-2-2 takes away the need for true wingers which we lack outside of Johnson and the new up and comer Pulisic. I do feel that the 4-4-2 variants we've been trying have left us with poor possession.

------------Altidore-------Dempsey-----------
---Johnson--------------------------Bedoya---
-------------Bradley---------Jones-------------
Ream-------Brooks--------Cameron-----Yedlin

Subs:
Pulisic for Bedoya at 70' (I really think he can spark some offense if needed, especially running at tired legs)
Wood for Dempsey or Altidore 75'

4-3-3, similar to how we played vs. Guat in the second leg. I prefer this style of play, but we might be exposed vs. better competition in the copa unless properly executed. Maybe let Bedoya play pinched in to allow Yedlin to bomb up and down the wing. I really think cameron could excel at DM for us like vs. Belgium in the WC. He is more athletic than Beckerman who gets burnt by more athletic competition. The only reason I leave Dempsey out is because if we press he is a defensive liability.

---------------------Altidore-------------------
Wood----------------------------------Bedoya
-----------Bradley--------Jones/Nagbe-----
--------------------Cameron-------------------
Johnson------Brooks----Besler------Yedlin

Subs:
Dempsey for Altidore 70'
Pulisic for Bedoya 75'

 

[upperdeck]

the us seems to finally have some offensive firepower , wonder how it plays out next week

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Getting excited for the upcoming Copa America Centenario. I might attend the USMNT game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly.

With that said here is the 23 man squad I would bring at this moment.

*Can play multiple positions

GK: Guzan, Howard
RB: Yedlin*, Chandler
CB: Brooks, Besler, Birnbaum, Gonzales
LB: Ream, Villafana
DM: Cameron*, Beckman
CM: Bradley, Jones, Nagbe, Zusi
AM/Wings: Johnson*, Bedoya, Nguyen, Pulisic
: Altidore, Dempsey, Wood

The two formations I would consider is a 4-2-2-2 and a 4-3-3.

4-2-2-2 takes away the need for true wingers which we lack outside of Johnson and the new up and comer Pulisic. I do feel that the 4-4-2 variants we've been trying have left us with poor possession.

------------Altidore-------Dempsey-----------
---Johnson--------------------------Bedoya---
-------------Bradley---------Jones-------------
Ream-------Brooks--------Cameron-----Yedlin

Subs:
Pulisic for Bedoya at 70' (I really think he can spark some offense if needed, especially running at tired legs)
Wood for Dempsey or Altidore 75'

4-3-3, similar to how we played vs. Guat in the second leg. I prefer this style of play, but we might be exposed vs. better competition in the copa unless properly executed. Maybe let Bedoya play pinched in to allow Yedlin to bomb up and down the wing. I really think cameron could excel at DM for us like vs. Belgium in the WC. He is more athletic than Beckerman who gets burnt by more athletic competition. The only reason I leave Dempsey out is because if we press he is a defensive liability.

---------------------Altidore-------------------
Wood----------------------------------Bedoya
-----------Bradley--------Jones/Nagbe-----
--------------------Cameron-------------------
Johnson------Brooks----Besler------Yedlin

Subs:
Dempsey for Altidore 70'
Pulisic for Bedoya 75'

Watched both the Ecuador and the Bolivia games.

Hopefully, Klinsmann finally stops trying to play Bradley at the 10...he is much more effective as the 6.

I, personally, prefer Bedoya on the right and Nagbe at the 10 and, if you want Jones on the field, put him on the left.

Dempsey or Zardes and Wood up top.

Yedlin, Brooks or Besler, Cameron and Johnson at the back.

Giddyap...

 

[CUSU]

Watched both the Ecuador and the Bolivia games.

Hopefully, Klinsmann finally stops trying to play Bradley at the 10...he is much more effective as the 6.

I, personally, prefer Bedoya on the right and Nagbe at the 10 and, if you want Jones on the field, put him on the left.

Dempsey or Zardes and Wood up top.

Yedlin, Brooks or Besler, Cameron and Johnson at the back.

Giddyap...

Yea I'm excited to see how they play Friday vs Columbia.

Seems like Juergen is going to go with the 4-3-3 which looks like a 4-5-1 sometimes. I like the way we play in that formation so much more than the 4-4-2 diamond. As much as I'd like for Nagbe and Pulisic to start I don't think they will. Still think he is going to use the trio of Bradley, Jones, and Bedoya like he did in the last friendly. I do agree Bradley plays better deeper in that #6 role. Will be interesting to see if Jurgen plays Bradley at the 6 vs. Columbia or if he chickens out and plugs in Beckerman. I think we see Nagbe and Pulisic as 2nd half subs.

Basically I think he goes with the second half starting lineup vs. Bolivia.

Wood-------Dempsey------Zardes
------Jones------------Bedoya-----
---------------Bradley---------------
Johnson--Brooks--Cameron---Yedlin

----------------Guzan


Still debating if I want to go watch vs. Paraguay in Philadelphia.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Yea I'm excited to see how they play Friday vs Columbia.

Seems like Juergen is going to go with the 4-3-3 which looks like a 4-5-1 sometimes. I like the way we play in that formation so much more than the 4-4-2 diamond. As much as I'd like for Nagbe and Pulisic to start I don't think they will. Still think he is going to use the trio of Bradley, Jones, and Bedoya like he did in the last friendly. I do agree Bradley plays better deeper in that #6 role. Will be interesting to see if Jurgen plays Bradley at the 6 vs. Columbia or if he chickens out and plugs in Beckerman. I think we see Nagbe and Pulisic as 2nd half subs.

Basically I think he goes with the second half starting lineup vs. Bolivia.

Wood-------Dempsey------Zardes
------Jones------------Bedoya-----
---------------Bradley---------------
Johnson--Brooks--Cameron---Yedlin

----------------Guzan


Still debating if I want to go watch vs. Paraguay in Philadelphia.

I like that line-up...

I would wait to see if the Paraguay game means anything...

 

[Alsacs]

Pulisic is the best USMNT prospect ever. He plays the highest level of soccer on the team now at 17 years old.

The USA needs a result against Columbia and they have a chance to advance. US should get 4 points against Costa Rica/Paraguay. 5 points should get the US to the knockout round.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Pulisic is the best USMNT prospect ever. He plays the highest level of soccer on the team now at 17 years old.

The USA needs a result against Columbia and they have a chance to advance. US should get 4 points against Costa Rica/Paraguay. 5 points should get the US to the knockout round.

Landon Donovan says hi... He was voted best prospect at a u- something World Cup and followed it up with his japorea performance. Pulisic looks great but he doesn't have the same raw speed and explosion that Donovan did. Doesn't mean that Pulisic won't have a better European career however... ld's biggest opponent was his own head which pevented him from ever really being successful in Europe. Although his stints for Everton were great.

I think in order to take advantage of Donovan's talents you had to build the team around him getting the ball on the wings... Pulisic seems like he might be a more complementary player so he might fit in better with Euro clubs. His goal was pretty awesome.

 

[Alsacs]

Landon Donovan says hi... He was voted best prospect at a u- something World Cup and followed it up with his japorea performance. Pulisic looks great but he doesn't have the same raw speed and explosion that Donovan did. Doesn't mean that Pulisic won't have a better European career however... ld's biggest opponent was his own head which pevented him from ever really being successful in Europe. Although his stints for Everton were great.

I think in order to take advantage of Donovan's talents you had to build the team around him getting the ball on the wings... Pulisic seems like he might be a more complementary player so he might fit in better with Euro clubs. His goal was pretty awesome.

Donovan is the greatest player in USMNT history. He was the best young player at the 2002 World Cup. He was a stud for the USMNT but he failed in Germany as a player. He did have success at Everton in 2009. However, Donovan wasn't good for Bayern.
Pulisic already looks like he belongs at Dortmund. He has 3 goals for them and was the youngest non-Germany player to score in Bundesliga. I think Pulisic could have a 10 year run for the national team won't score the goals LD did. Pulisic isn't a striker he looks like he could be a really good CAM for USMNT. Pulisic will be the number 8 hopefully.

 

[CUSU]

Landon Donovan says hi... He was voted best prospect at a u- something World Cup and followed it up with his japorea performance. Pulisic looks great but he doesn't have the same raw speed and explosion that Donovan did. Doesn't mean that Pulisic won't have a better European career however... ld's biggest opponent was his own head which pevented him from ever really being successful in Europe. Although his stints for Everton were great.

I think in order to take advantage of Donovan's talents you had to build the team around him getting the ball on the wings... Pulisic seems like he might be a more complementary player so he might fit in better with Euro clubs. His goal was pretty awesome.

Many would argue at this point in Pulisic's career he is a better prospect than Donovan was at the same age. Top speed wise I think Donovan has Pulisic, who is certainly no slouch. Where Pulisic has Donovan is quickness. Obviously at 17 he has a long way to go to reach his potential.

I think the two have different styles, Donovan was definitely a goal scorer IMO where as Pulisic cans score goals but likes to create for others as well.

 

[CUSU]

Donovan is the greatest player in USMNT history. He was the best young player at the 2002 World Cup. He was a stud for the USMNT but he failed in Germany as a player. He did have success at Everton in 2009. However, Donovan wasn't good for Bayern.
Pulisic already looks like he belongs at Dortmund. He has 3 goals for them and was the youngest non-Germany player to score in Bundesliga. I think Pulisic could have a 10 year run for the national team won't score the goals LD did. Pulisic isn't a striker he looks like he could be a really good CAM for USMNT. Pulisic will be the number 8 hopefully.

Eventually I can see him being that #10 creator that we have always lacked, but for now he's best deployed on the wing.

 

[CUSU]

Pulisic is the best USMNT prospect ever. He plays the highest level of soccer on the team now at 17 years old.

The USA needs a result against Columbia and they have a chance to advance. US should get 4 points against Costa Rica/Paraguay. 5 points should get the US to the knockout round.

Yes, if we can get a draw vs. Columbia it would put us in a good position for the remainder of the group. I think Costa Rica could be difficult, a bit easier now that the Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas is sidelined.

 

[Alsacs]

Yes, if we can get a draw vs. Columbia it would put us in a good position for the remainder of the group. I think Costa Rica could be difficult, a bit easier now that the Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas is sidelined.

I agree but the USA should beat Costa Rica at home every competitive match or we aren't a CONCACAF power.

I expect to beat Costa Rica, draw Paraguay and have it come down to the Columbia match.

Navas being out hurts Costa Rica but Real Madrid really hides him with all their talent. Real wanted De Gea from Man U last summer but Man U used the 2016 Euros against De Gea he wouldn't have made the squad if he sat on the Man U bench.

I think the USA should make the knockout round or the National team needs a new manager.

 

[CUSU]

I agree but the USA should beat Costa Rica at home every competitive match or we aren't a CONCACAF power.

I expect to beat Costa Rica, draw Paraguay and have it come down to the Columbia match.

Navas being out hurts Costa Rica but Real Madrid really hides him with all their talent. Real wanted De Gea from Man U last summer but Man U used the 2016 Euros against De Gea he wouldn't have made the squad if he sat on the Man U bench.

I think the USA should make the knockout round or the National team needs a new manager.

I agree we absolutely should get out of the group. Though our all time record vs. CR is 13-5-14 (w-d-l)

 

[CUSU]

Comprehensive article about Christian Pulisic..

Christian Pulisic, his rise, and the truth it speaks about American soccer in 2016

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I read this article, but with a perspective of how to get my son there. Also, I understand that college scouting, at least the big time soccer schools, look at academy's first.
My take away is the developmental academies are the way to go.
Those of you with more experience/knowledge in this area, would you agree.

 

[CUSU]

I read this article, but with a perspective of how to get my son there. Also, I understand that college scouting, at least the big time soccer schools, look at academy's first.
My take away is the developmental academies are the way to go.
Those of you with more experience/knowledge in this area, would you agree.

This may be a good resource if you want to create a thread there and ask questions. This page focuses on youth soccer/recruitment.

The big name academies certainly get more exposure.

Youth & HS Soccer

 

[OrangeFoo]

I agree but the USA should beat Costa Rica at home every competitive match or we aren't a CONCACAF power.

I expect to beat Costa Rica, draw Paraguay and have it come down to the Columbia match.

Navas being out hurts Costa Rica but Real Madrid really hides him with all their talent. Real wanted De Gea from Man U last summer but Man U used the 2016 Euros against De Gea he wouldn't have made the squad if he sat on the Man U bench.

I think the USA should make the knockout round or the National team needs a new manager.

100% agree that if we don't make it out of the group Jurgen needs to go... I think Jurgen needs to go regardless as I think he is setting the program back big time this world cup cycle with his inability to transition to new players and his ridiculous payer decisions (landon again says hi here).

 

[Forza Azzurri]

100% agree that if we don't make it out of the group Jurgen needs to go... I think Jurgen needs to go regardless as I think he is setting the program back big time this world cup cycle with his inability to transition to new players and his ridiculous payer decisions (landon again says hi here).

Who should be in the starting line-up who isn't part of the roster or who is on the bench?

 

[Alsacs]

Our starting XI IMO should be
---------------Howard----------------------
Johnson Brooks Cameron Yedlin
---------Nagbe Bradley Bedoya---
--------Pulisic Dempsey Zardes--------

Zusi first MF off the bench
Wood first striker off the bench
Besler first defender off the bench.
Howard is better than Guzan but Klinnsman is still bitter Howard sat out all of 2014-2015 after the WC.
Enough of Jermaine Jones

 

[OrangeFoo]

Who should be in the starting line-up who isn't part of the roster or who is on the bench?

Feilhaber is the biggest omission in my opinion... best creative mid in mls can't get a sniff with the men's team. I think Lee Nguyen is another guy who probably should be getting more of a shot. Danny Williams would be an interesting dmid backup. Morris probably should be on the roster instead of Wondo,

I think the bigger problem is that fact that Beckerman, Jones, Zusi, Wondo, and to a certain extent Dempsey are all still on the roster. These guys were cooked after the last world cup and most of them will be too old for the next world cup yet Kilnsie has wasted so much time on them the last two years in countless friendlies that I don't even know who can make it or not. Makes no sense.

 

[CUSU]

Feilhaber is the biggest omission in my opinion... best creative mid in mls can't get a sniff with the men's team. I think Lee Nguyen is another guy who probably should be getting more of a shot. Danny Williams would be an interesting dmid backup. Morris probably should be on the roster instead of Wondo,

I think the bigger problem is that fact that Beckerman, Jones, Zusi, Wondo, and to a certain extent Dempsey are all still on the roster. These guys were cooked after the last world cup and most of them will be too old for the next world cup yet Kilnsie has wasted so much time on them the last two years in countless friendlies that I don't even know who can make it or not. Makes no sense.

Lee Nguyen has underwhelmed IMO this year and with the nats. I agree Feilhaber probably should be on the team but it he won't be called up after his comments questioning Juergen

In the past I have been a critic of Jurgens rosters, but this one is close to the best he can do IMO. The areas a dislike are no true left back before chandler got hurt and Castillo was called in, the inclusion of Orozco, and maybe Wondolowsk over Morris?

 

[OrangeFoo]

Lee Nguyen has underwhelmed IMO this year and with the nats. I agree Feilhaber probably should be on the team but it he won't be called up after his comments questioning Juergen

I also forgot about that kid who looks good at LA... Played at West Ham for a bit... got to MLS last year? Name totally escapes me but I'm shocked that he's not even getting a look when from everything I ready he outplays his teammate Zardes who is looking like a starter.

 

[CUSU]

I also forgot about that kid who looks good at LA... Played at West Ham for a bit... got to MLS last year? Name totally escapes me but I'm shocked that he's not even getting a look when from everything I ready he outplays his teammate Zardes who is looking like a starter.

Sebastian Lletget. Some people are calling for him as well as a LB in the Mexican league named Villifana. Haven't watched Lletget enough to form an opinion on him or Villafana.

I am farm from a Zardes fan; would rather play wood and Pulisic out wide. Or wood and Johnson and play a different LB