USMNT soccer team thread
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Forza Azzurri
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He simply isn't strong enough yet. He simply wasn't able to knock the Costa Rican or Honduran wingers off the ball. The work ethic is definitely there, just needs to mature physically.
And you are correct, he shouldn't be tracking back. But that is why Arena should never have put him on the right-hand side in front of guy who needed tons of defensive cover..
CUSU
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Fabian Johnson left off of U.S. squad; Feilhaber and Agudelo included
Dear Bruce Arena why are you still picking Wondo?
He sucks internationally and isn't young. I would rather call in Johansson or anyone else at forward.
Dear Bruce Arena why are you still picking Wondo?
He sucks internationally and isn't young. I would rather call in Johansson or anyone else at forward.
MSOrange
2020 Cali Award Winner, Regular Season Record
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Not USMNT but this is an interesting set up over in Russia
Bleachers built outside Russian stadium to appease FIFA
Bleachers built outside Russian stadium to appease FIFA
CUSU
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If you have it, you have it. He has it. He honed his skills of course, but I remember reading somewhere he was clocked in game at some in speed. Like faster and the entire NFL, of course they are in pads but still. Also, it's clear his first step acceleration is world class, he makes defenders in the Bundesliga look like they are standing still.
Him and Yedlin both bombing down the right side should be fun to watch.
CUSU
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Honestly Johnson has done nothing lately, always plays as if he is uninterested. I still think he should have been called up but it doesn't bother me he won't be playing. Only way it would hurt is if we lose players to yellow card accumulation or injury which could happen.
Should be playingleft fullback
CUSU
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Here's what I would go with based on Arena's 23
An unbalanced 4-3-3. We need 3 CMs. 4-4-2 is shot.
--------------------Guzan------------------
Yedlin---Cameron--Besler--Villafaña
-------------------Bradley------------------
-----------Feilhaber-----------Acosta----
-----Pulisic--------------Altidore---------
------------------Wood---------------------
65' - Dempsey at the if need a goal for Wood or Altidore depending on form.
70' - Nagbe for Feilhaber if Benny is gassed
80' - Bedoya, if ahead for a the remaining Altidore of wood, move Dempsey up and Bedoya can track back
Yedlin's obscene pace (did you see him chase down Salah last weekend) will allow Pulisic to cut in an make the defense have to respect Yedlin or give up good crosses in. Couldn't decide between Dempsey and Altidore with Altidore up top, or Wood and Altidore with Wood up top. Ultimately went with Wood because we need workrate to start this game. Bring in Dempsey when needed. We will lack width on Altidore's side but I'd rather have him than Arriola or another poor winger. Also, that's why I placed Acosta behind him to play a bit more defensive (could place Bedoya here as well if you want more of a workhorse type). Then Feilhaber who will try to help link to the attack and keep possession with some runs forward to support Pulisic. Bradley, we all know he will start there no matter what don't really have a replacement. Villa has to start there, Beasley is too old. Besler and Cameron are the best two CBs in the 23, Omar better stay on the pine.
I really think Feilhaber would help this team push forward and have another midfield presence to take some attacking pressure off of Pulisic. Believe it or not Benny has 40 caps with the USMNT.
An unbalanced 4-3-3. We need 3 CMs. 4-4-2 is shot.
--------------------Guzan------------------
Yedlin---Cameron--Besler--Villafaña
-------------------Bradley------------------
-----------Feilhaber-----------Acosta----
-----Pulisic--------------Altidore---------
------------------Wood---------------------
65' - Dempsey at the if need a goal for Wood or Altidore depending on form.
70' - Nagbe for Feilhaber if Benny is gassed
80' - Bedoya, if ahead for a the remaining Altidore of wood, move Dempsey up and Bedoya can track back
Yedlin's obscene pace (did you see him chase down Salah last weekend) will allow Pulisic to cut in an make the defense have to respect Yedlin or give up good crosses in. Couldn't decide between Dempsey and Altidore with Altidore up top, or Wood and Altidore with Wood up top. Ultimately went with Wood because we need workrate to start this game. Bring in Dempsey when needed. We will lack width on Altidore's side but I'd rather have him than Arriola or another poor winger. Also, that's why I placed Acosta behind him to play a bit more defensive (could place Bedoya here as well if you want more of a workhorse type). Then Feilhaber who will try to help link to the attack and keep possession with some runs forward to support Pulisic. Bradley, we all know he will start there no matter what don't really have a replacement. Villa has to start there, Beasley is too old. Besler and Cameron are the best two CBs in the 23, Omar better stay on the pine.
I really think Feilhaber would help this team push forward and have another midfield presence to take some attacking pressure off of Pulisic. Believe it or not Benny has 40 caps with the USMNT.
DeGrozz
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I honestly don't get Benny's call up. He's been so 'meh' this year for his club. 2 years ago, when he had the ball it looked like he was a second ahead of everyone else on the field. Now, he doesn't stand out in SKC games.
I'd love to put another more physical player in the midfield with Bradley, but I'm not sure I really see that with this roster. I think most of us in this thread agree that Cameron could fill that role, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
One thing I will say -- Acosta has to be on the field. This group is not clicking right now going forward. I don't think he makes or breaks that issue, but if we are out of sorts in possession again, he's our best shot a sniping a free kick and salvaging a result.
Finally. Pulisic! Play your game! He obviously got frustrated last break and became selfish/got tunnel vision in both games. He's gotta shake that and become the heady player we know he is.
I'd love to put another more physical player in the midfield with Bradley, but I'm not sure I really see that with this roster. I think most of us in this thread agree that Cameron could fill that role, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
One thing I will say -- Acosta has to be on the field. This group is not clicking right now going forward. I don't think he makes or breaks that issue, but if we are out of sorts in possession again, he's our best shot a sniping a free kick and salvaging a result.
Finally. Pulisic! Play your game! He obviously got frustrated last break and became selfish/got tunnel vision in both games. He's gotta shake that and become the heady player we know he is.
I don't think you can blame Pulisic when he's playing 1 on 3/4 every single time. One of the biggest problems with this team is that they have no one who can take the ball from Bradley and get it to Pulisic and then get into the box to support him... hopefully Benny can help with that? The other problems in my opinion, if anyone cares:
- The CBs are terrible and can't play together. Individually we have talent but can't seem to get a pair that actually plays well together
- The fullbacks are too slow for the International game... Zusi was slow 4 years ago and time hasn't helped. Villafana routinely gets owned by opposing wingers. The other problem with their speed is that neither can get get forward to provide width and support the offense because they have ZERO recovery speed. Yedlin is coming back, so that will fix one side but LB is a disaster. I'm not sure why arena refuses to play Fab there and now he's not invited.
- Bradley needs to much time on the ball and he's slowed down from his prime days. Not his fault as miles catch up to anyone but he really can't be the inly shield for the D. Acosta, who seems to be everyone's favorite makes very little impact in games outside of dead balls and he has pretty poor positioning at times which leads to breakaways on our D. Acosta has some promise but I just don't see him as being THAT good
- I think Nagbe is great player but he seems to struggle to combine with other players. I think his best position is on the wing but we seem to need him more in the middle. Need to figure out what his best role is.
- Our forwards have turned into post up players who can't score... not sure what the fix is besides get new players
Under Arena Bradley has gotten better but we need better midfield play.
The back 4 just needs cohesion time as we have some talent there.
The midfield needs to keep possession more and get better service.
Nagbe seems like the guy we need to
Improve. Pulisic is fine but he needs service.
IthacaMatt
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We have got to learn how to hold on to the GD ball! We should make these guys watch Champions League games to show them how it's done!
Have bad feeling about that. hHe played horrible last set of qualifier. Geoff Cameron on the bench. lol
DeGrozz
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Yes - just about the most important US game in a while. Missing the World Cup would be awful for the game in this country.
Well - technically not MUST but as close as it gets.
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