USMNT: To Rüssia With Love

[InstaFace]

I never thought I would be disappointed at only getting a single point at the Azteca, but here we are...

This was an impressive display of Bruce adjusting tactics to suit the venue and situation. I'm sure they've been practicing this formation for a while, only to bust it out when Mexico wasn't expecting it. I won't exactly call it Belichickian but it was ballsy and seemed to work (not just the result but the eye test too).

The players who exceeded my expectations tonight were Acosta and Tim Ream. Ream is a very good CB on a team with two great CBs (Brooks and Cameron) and two more who aren't bad (Omar and Orozco), so I'm glad that he's working to be a passable FB while also serving as a decent sub for Cameron's role when needed. If he proves to be a capable LB at this level, we can do a lot more with FJ.

In the grand scheme of things, it's an excellent result, and qualifying is looking probable without too much stress.

Arena was called in to a particular job and has done it well. The away game to Panama you might argue we could have won, but after a few scares there I was happy with a point as well. Tonight might have been the first time he's outperformed expectations; he'll have another chance to do so on 9/1 vs Costa Rica. But the essential needs remain the same: win at Honduras in September and/or vs Panama in October, or we're vulnerable to being in a situation where we need help.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Well, I didn't before but now I guess I have to go back and see them

Ditto

 

[McBride11]

No keeper would have stopped that.

He should have been a yard forward and 1-2 towards near post. His position sucked. A defender was coming cross box to close the guy down / impede far post. He didnt even dive for it. Would he have saved it with proper position? Who knows but that excuse his shitty setup in light of a great shot.

 

[SocrManiac]

Let's not polish a turd, and Guzan is just that. Just because he was recently playing in the EPL doesn't make him a star- he was second choice on the worst team in the league. The only reason I can come up with for choosing him over Howard is Tim's spotty history with crowds. Guzan has lost all explosiveness in his dives over the past year and relies on positioning and reflexes to get anything hit within his reach (unless it's going through his legs).

Should he have saved that goal? Eh... Probably not. Did he put himself in a position to? Absolutely not. As Vela was winding up, Guzan hopped to his right, like he was continuing to track the run. This put him out of position as well- he was totally central to the goal at that point with the ball at the left corner of the circle. He was not unsighted. He should have been getting set. Instead, he was in the air with his momentum going in the wrong direction when the ball was struck. Very poor read from a guy with experience.

 

[Titans Bastard]

I thought this was a revealing quote from Gonzalez:

"When he told me that we were playing in that system I was a little bit nervous because of the way the last time turned out in Columbus," Gonzalez said. "We've prepared very well these last two weeks tactically and it worked out great."

Gonzalez’s initial fears were quickly replaced by the comfort of knowing he and his teammates would be able to prepare in a way they weren’t able to ahead of November's 2-1 loss.

"I was relieved that I knew that early, for sure," Gonzalez said. "I've had three weeks to prepare for this game. It's just a different environment, and a different mentality you can take when you know three weeks out when you're going to play, how you're going to prepare.

"Sometimes with Jurgen you wouldn't know until the day of the game," Gonzalez added. “It's just stressful, so with Bruce here taking that kind of approach here, it's been helping out a lot."

Gonzalez was one of the victims of the lack of preparation for the November qualifier, struggling to defend in space as he and Timmy Chandler failed to develop a good understanding as a right-sided defensive partnership.

"Going into the last game it was a maybe that we were going to use a 3-5-2," Gonzalez said. "We didn't know until a couple of days before the game and then it was just thrown out there.

"Now we had two weeks to really prepare," Gonzalez added. "One team was preparing to play against Trinidad in a 4-4-2, and the other team was preparing in a 3-5-2. We've been playing this now for a few weeks and so that's the reason there was a lot better understanding tonight, and the reason it worked for us tonight."

 

[GammonsSpecialPerson]

I thought this was a revealing quote from Gonzalez:

I am shocked that Gonzalez, who played for Arena professionally for many years, would praise Arena and his tactics. And in the process, manages to slag the old gaffer who dropped him from NT squads because (in part) Gonzalez was shockingly bad in the USMNT uniform.

But yeah, it was the tactics. And Klinsmann was a tool.

 

[teddykgb]

I am shocked that Gonzalez, who played for Arena professionally for many years, would praise Arena and his tactics. And in the process, manages to slag the old gaffer who dropped him from NT squads because (in part) Gonzalez was shockingly bad in the USMNT uniform.

But yeah, it was the tactics. And Klinsmann was a tool.

I'm pretty down on Arena but this seems to be a little too cynical even for me. I'm sure Gonzalez is likely to prefer Arena but the realities of managing a NT dictate that stuff like planning this ahead and drilling it a bit would absolutely matter. It was a successful tactic that was employed well by the manager today. It is probably true that JK wouldn't have done it this way. Gonzalez surely has a dog in this fight but he's almost assuredly also correct.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Forgive my ignorance, but who were the two commentators on FS1? I'm just watching the highlights, and the call on Bradley's goal is as bad as the goal itself was good - I'd be embarrassed to hear a call like that on a university radio station, nevermind a national television broadcast.

 

[LeftyTG]

Forgive my ignorance, but who were the two commentators on FS1? I'm just watching the highlights, and the call on Bradley's goal is as bad as the goal itself was good - I'd be embarrassed to hear a call like that on a university radio station, nevermind a national television broadcast.

Stuart Holden and, I think, John Strong.

 

[InstaFace]

Let's not polish a turd, and Guzan is just that. Just because he was recently playing in the EPL doesn't make him a star- he was second choice on the worst team in the league. The only reason I can come up with for choosing him over Howard is Tim's spotty history with crowds. Guzan has lost all explosiveness in his dives over the past year and relies on positioning and reflexes to get anything hit within his reach (unless it's going through his legs).

Should he have saved that goal? Eh... Probably not. Did he put himself in a position to? Absolutely not. As Vela was winding up, Guzan hopped to his right, like he was continuing to track the run. This put him out of position as well- he was totally central to the goal at that point with the ball at the left corner of the circle. He was not unsighted. He should have been getting set. Instead, he was in the air with his momentum going in the wrong direction when the ball was struck. Very poor read from a guy with experience.

I'll agree with the positioning argument, and made it in real-time while gamethreading. His first responsibility has to be to position himself to cover any shot to the near post, as the far post is a much narrower angle, farther distance, and he's got more defender help that way.

Nobody said he's a star, but he was far from the worst keeper in last year's EPL. His team finished ahead of 3 other teams in GD, and more relevantly, 10th in goals allowed. He had an extremely shitty last couple of games, which made for some real howler video clips, but let's not let that excessively color our impressions. I prefer Howard over him, and think Guzan has lost half a step in reaction time (his footwork has always been his best strength), but he's not chopped liver. I don't mind him continuing to get a sizable minority of competitive-game starts, especially since Howard is far more injury-prone at this point.

And besides, who are we going to have as our #1B / #2 over him? Horvath? Rimando?

 

[InstaFace]

I am shocked that Gonzalez, who played for Arena professionally for many years, would praise Arena and his tactics. And in the process, manages to slag the old gaffer who dropped him from NT squads because (in part) Gonzalez was shockingly bad in the USMNT uniform.

But yeah, it was the tactics. And Klinsmann was a tool.

If you're going to carry Klinsmann's water here you're going to have to do better than that. Facts matter, and Gonzalez offered a few. A sarcastic argument ad-hominem doesn't refute them.

 

[Titans Bastard]

And besides, who are we going to have as our #1B / #2 over him? Horvath? Rimando?

It's a real issue. Rimando has noticeably declined for RSL and is only with the US team for continuity and locker room reasons at this point.

Horvath, Steffen, and Gonzalez are all interesting prospects but I don't think any have the consistency you expect from a USMNT keeper at this point. They're not ready for prime time just yet, but I expect some or all of them to be given real chances after the 2018 World Cup. Gonzalez might get a few chances at the Gold Cup this summer, actually.

The generation of US goalkeepers in their mid/late 20s right now just isn't that good. Bill Hamid can be amazing at times, but he can be inconsistent and he's very injury prone for a GK.

 

[GammonsSpecialPerson]

I'm pretty down on Arena but this seems to be a little too cynical even for me. I'm sure Gonzalez is likely to prefer Arena but the realities of managing a NT dictate that stuff like planning this ahead and drilling it a bit would absolutely matter. It was a successful tactic that was employed well by the manager today. It is probably true that JK wouldn't have done it this way. Gonzalez surely has a dog in this fight but he's almost assuredly also correct.

He may well be correct, but how correct depends on how you parse "a few days" with "two (or three?) weeks". And, quite specifically, if you buy that "day of the game" portion - which really paints JK as both a complete moron and a shirker.

Gonzalez was terrible in that Columbus disaster (as were many others). Whether that was due (mostly) to Klinsmann surprising his own team with a shitty tactical plan - a distinct possibility, I admit - or whether the performance was (mostly) about the players playing like shit... well, YMMV. I'm generally disposed to blame the players for shit performances.

Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw was that he never, ever compromised on "playing the right way" and didn't (tactically) set his team up to do what Arena did last night - park the aircraft carrier, pray for a goal on the counter, and be happy to squeeze a point on the road. That last bit was absolutely necessary, given the NT's standing, and I don't think Klinsmann would have bent to the reality of situation. In that respect, props to Arena for doing what was necessary. But let's not get carried away: the NT last night bunkered down and played for the draw, utilizing tactics that have been the (crappy) foundation of USMNTs of the past. There was nothing new, bright, or exciting in how Arena structured his plan or his squad. Though, to his credit, at least everyone played in a somewhat familiar position. That said, it was the very definition of "uninspiring" and as an overall strategy, it harkens back to the dark days of Arena's first reign: where the team played boring, structurally sound, uninspired, kick-and-chase soccer.

That all said, Gonzalez's comments are self-serving, and minimize how shitty he was on the pitch under Klinsmann. Again, maybe Klinsmann was so terrible that players couldn't play up to their potential under him. But to praise Arena and shit on Klinsmann seems to be Gonzalez attempting to re-write history to his own benefit.

Without Bradley's wonder goal, the conversation this morning isn't about Arena's tactical brilliance. Or Omar Gonzalez's praise for his benefactor.

 

[GammonsSpecialPerson]

If you're going to carry Klinsmann's water here you're going to have to do better than that. Facts matter, and Gonzalez offered a few. A sarcastic argument ad-hominem doesn't refute them.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was reacting to the quote, and the game. Is this not where that happens? I read the thread and thought "this would be the only appropriate place to make such a statement" - can you direct me to where I should make such posts next time? TIA.

 

[coremiller]

He may well be correct, but how correct depends on how you parse "a few days" with "two (or three?) weeks". And, quite specifically, if you buy that "day of the game" portion - which really paints JK as both a complete moron and a shirker.

Gonzalez was terrible in that Columbus disaster (as were many others). Whether that was due (mostly) to Klinsmann surprising his own team with a shitty tactical plan - a distinct possibility, I admit - or whether the performance was (mostly) about the players playing like shit... well, YMMV. I'm generally disposed to blame the players for shit performances.

Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw was that he never, ever compromised on "playing the right way" and didn't (tactically) set his team up to do what Arena did last night - park the aircraft carrier, pray for a goal on the counter, and be happy to squeeze a point on the road. That last bit was absolutely necessary, given the NT's standing, and I don't think Klinsmann would have bent to the reality of situation. In that respect, props to Arena for doing what was necessary. But let's not get carried away: the NT last night bunkered down and played for the draw, utilizing tactics that have been the (crappy) foundation of USMNTs of the past. There was nothing new, bright, or exciting in how Arena structured his plan or his squad. Though, to his credit, at least everyone played in a somewhat familiar position. That said, it was the very definition of "uninspiring" and as an overall strategy, it harkens back to the dark days of Arena's first reign: where the team played boring, structurally sound, uninspired, kick-and-chase soccer.

That all said, Gonzalez's comments are self-serving, and minimize how shitty he was on the pitch under Klinsmann. Again, maybe Klinsmann was so terrible that players couldn't play up to their potential under him. But to praise Arena and shit on Klinsmann seems to be Gonzalez attempting to re-write history to his own benefit.

Without Bradley's wonder goal, the conversation this morning isn't about Arena's tactical brilliance. Or Omar Gonzalez's praise for his benefactor.

Uh, no, this was not Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw. Against strong opposition Klinsmann frequently set the team up to play defensively on the counter, especially when they took an early lead. Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw was that he consistently failed to develop a tactical plan that played to the players' strengths, and then consistently failed to communicate that tactical plan (to the extent there was one) properly to the players, such that the team often looked confused and disjointed. This "frustrated romantic who fell on his sword for his ideals" narrative of Klinsmann's downfall you're constructing is total B.S.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I haven't seen much of Guzan, but I've never thought to myself that he's a great keeper. The goal may not have been his fault last night, but it also shouldn't have been so far out of his reach. The shot didn't go into the side netting, it hit the lower corner. Keepers are always taught to guard the first post tighter because it's just that much harder for the striker to hit that ball accurately to the far post. Not the best video, but an interesting reverse angle:

 

[Zososoxfan]

[snip]

The players who exceeded my expectations tonight were Acosta and Tim Ream. Ream is a very good CB on a team with two great CBs (Brooks and Cameron) and two more who aren't bad (Omar and Orozco), so I'm glad that he's working to be a passable FB while also serving as a decent sub for Cameron's role when needed. If he proves to be a capable LB at this level, we can do a lot more with FJ.

[snip]

This is funny to me because these were the two players I thought were hardest to assess. Gonzalez and really Cameron had an excellent second half, but did give away a few chances in the match overall and should've been better on the goal. The FBs had tough assignments and did OK with them overall. DMB did not offer much going forward. Bradley had a good game made a lot better by his goal and almost 2nd goal. Pulisic and Wood both put in hard working shifts with little help up top. Arriola also worked hard, but didn't see much of the ball.

I don't know what Ream or Acosta did or really what they were supposed to do.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw was that he never, ever compromised on "playing the right way" and didn't (tactically) set his team up to do what Arena did last night - park the aircraft carrier, pray for a goal on the counter, and be happy to squeeze a point on the road.

You can't be serious.

 

[InstaFace]

This is funny to me because these were the two players I thought were hardest to assess. Gonzalez and really Cameron had an excellent second half, but did give away a few chances in the match overall and should've been better on the goal. The FBs had tough assignments and did OK with them overall. DMB did not offer much going forward. Bradley had a good game made a lot better by his goal and almost 2nd goal. Pulisic and Wood both put in hard working shifts with little help up top. Arriola also worked hard, but didn't see much of the ball.

I don't know what Ream or Acosta did or really what they were supposed to do.

As TB astutely observed, Chicharito's run off the ball during Vela's run to the middle drew both Cameron (as was his responsibility) and Acosta (for help - he got back, but late). In your clip above, you can see Gonzalez coming back from downfield (it was a fast counter and he'd been in the attacking box I think), maybe he should have made a burning run but the US had numbers back. Vela just had a world-class, Arjen-Robben-grade run, cut back to the left, and left-footed finish.

Ream's job was the mirror of Yedlin's job, to my eye. He gave help down the line when DMB was covering inside, and gave help to the inside when DMB was covering the line. I saw him make a few good tackles, prevent a few crosses (or make them worse crosses), and have good positioning to stop passing lanes when off the ball. He didn't have the panache of Cameron, or the dribbling skills to get out of trouble, but despite being a CB he showed FB speed to me in covering some really tough wingers. I guess he sometimes plays LB for Fulham so that shouldn't have been a surprise.

As for Acosta, you could convince me that he gave some balls away, but every time I looked up he was cleaning up Bradley's messes. Which is what Beckerman used to do before he got too old for it. I came in with very low expectations for Acosta in what was his first competitive senior-international start (in Azteca no less - welcome to the show kid!). With him being 21 years old and only a year removed from being on the U23 team, he nevertheless looked mature way beyond his years. I'm very excited to see him get a ton of run in the Gold Cup and he'll get a pretty good share of my eyeballs while doing it.

 

[GammonsSpecialPerson]

Uh, no, this was not Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw. Against strong opposition Klinsmann frequently set the team up to play defensively on the counter, especially when they took an early lead. Klinsmann's biggest tactical flaw was that he consistently failed to develop a tactical plan that played to the players' strengths, and then consistently failed to communicate that tactical plan (to the extent there was one) properly to the players, such that the team often looked confused and disjointed. This "frustrated romantic who fell on his sword for his ideals" narrative of Klinsmann's downfall you're constructing is total B.S.

Which games against strong competition did Klinsmann park the aircraft carrier?

No doubt, Klinsmann was a poor game tactician - if it seems I am trying to construct a BS narrative, I've failed to clearly explain what I'm saying. IMO, Klinsmann was obsessed with "changing the way" the team played, and it led to increasingly unsupportable lineup choices and/or in game tactical decisions. Klinsmann was a bad manager. I don't know how much more clear I can be than that.

In any case, discussion of Klinsmann is beside the point I intended to make: Gonzalez's comments were self-serving, and disingenuous. He played like shit, and maybe that was JK's fault, but his praise of Arena is necessarily dubious, given OG's history with Arena and the fact that Gonzalez's play with the NT was poor under the previous regime.

Gonzalez may be correct, but if he is, it is for the wrong reasons. Had Cameron said the same exact thing, I would not have had any reason to question it.

You can't be serious.

I am serious. Don't call me Shirley?

I find your contributions to this forum, and thread, to be invaluable. We are lucky you choose to post here. But your bias is showing, given how you chose to frame Gonzalez's comments. Or am I misreading your use of "revealing"?

 

[soxfan121]

What a huge dick you're being, for no discernible reason. Welcome to my ignore list.

When did this fuckface get named a moderator in this forum?

The "huge dick" here, MDL, is you. As usual.

Also, good win last night. Pulisic nearly brought me to orgasm with that move in the 90th minute: I am legit pumped for his emergence as the best American soccer player, ever.

 

[DJnVa]

Am I reading some folks in here correctly that they are somehow upset at the coach that just got a point on the road at Azteca?

 

[coremiller]

Which games against strong competition did Klinsmann park the aircraft carrier?

No doubt, Klinsmann was a poor game tactician - if it seems I am trying to construct a BS narrative, I've failed to clearly explain what I'm saying. IMO, Klinsmann was obsessed with "changing the way" the team played, and it led to increasingly unsupportable lineup choices and/or in game tactical decisions. Klinsmann was a bad manager. I don't know how much more clear I can be than that.

Just off the top of my head: basically every game against more talented opposition, including every game at the 2014 WC, except the Portugal game where they couldn't do that because they went behind in the first five minutes. Just about every away or neutral-site game against Mexico. The Gold Cup game against Argentina. Etc.

In the only qualifier the US played at Azteca under Klinsmann, they gritted out a 0-0 draw in which they were outshot 17-1.

I think Klinsmann's "obsession" with "changing the way the team played" was mostly self-serving blather that bore absolutely no relation to how he actually set up the team to play in big games against good teams.

 

[67YAZ]

Someone above said the Kid didn't have it tonight. What was to have? He had no help up there. I thought he played fine.

I didn't think he had "it", that precocious world class quality that has made him integral to Dortmund and already a legend among US fans. In the first half, he had Wood running with him, but played the ball to hard for Bobby to catch. And late in the game, the Kid made that fine cut in from the left, but couldn't get the shot on frame. There were a bunch of other heavy touches. Pulisic still had a solid game and contributed positively with his pressing and defensive duties...he just didn't quite have that magic tonight. It is unfair to expect a teenager to play like a god every time he pulls on a jersey, and it speaks highly of Pulisic's maturity that he was still able to contribute. As he grows, he will become more consistent and his conditioning will improve. Isn't that a fantastic thought?

Also, about Guzan - the squad was practicing tactics in parallel the past few weeks, Guzan was probably assigned to Back-3 team so that he could work on organizing the defense given the different look. And on that account, he appeared to do well enough. The counter that led to Vela's goal was lightening fast and very well taken by Vela; maybe a much more well drilled team is organized enough in transition to cut that out, or may be not. Otherwise, the defensive organization was very good last night. No complaints there.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Also, about Guzan - the squad was practicing tactics in parallel the past few weeks, Guzan was probably assigned to Back-3 team so that he could work on organizing the defense given the different look. And on that account, he appeared to do well enough. The counter that led to Vela's goal was lightening fast and very well taken by Vela; maybe a much more well drilled team is organized enough in transition to cut that out, or may be not. Otherwise, the defensive organization was very good last night. No complaints there.

But weren't there at least 3 communication issues (Cameron, Ream and at least one other) where it was unclear who should be playing the ball? Hell, a few OG clearances looked unsure, as if expecting a call from the keeper. That, which should be a big part of his game (as his shot stopping sucks), seemed woeful yesterday. I get it was loud, but command of the area is paramount.

Hard to believe this is the 2nd best GK we have to offer.

But, yes, take the point and run, all day long.

 

[Titans Bastard]

No doubt, Klinsmann was a poor game tactician - if it seems I am trying to construct a BS narrative, I've failed to clearly explain what I'm saying. IMO, Klinsmann was obsessed with "changing the way" the team played, and it led to increasingly unsupportable lineup choices and/or in game tactical decisions. Klinsmann was a bad manager. I don't know how much more clear I can be than that.

In any case, discussion of Klinsmann is beside the point I intended to make: Gonzalez's comments were self-serving, and disingenuous. He played like shit, and maybe that was JK's fault, but his praise of Arena is necessarily dubious, given OG's history with Arena and the fact that Gonzalez's play with the NT was poor under the previous regime.

Gonzalez may be correct, but if he is, it is for the wrong reasons. Had Cameron said the same exact thing, I would not have had any reason to question it.

I find your contributions to this forum, and thread, to be invaluable. We are lucky you choose to post here. But your bias is showing, given how you chose to frame Gonzalez's comments. Or am I misreading your use of "revealing"?

So we agree that Klinsmann is a bad manager, but for some reason you take umbrage when Omar Gonzalez cites specific examples and when I reference his comments? Gonzalez claimed that the team was well-prepared under Arena and was not under Klinsmann. What about this observation is underhanded or unfair? Do you think he's lying or somehow leaving out some part of the tactical match preparation story?

 

[67YAZ]

But weren't there at least 3 communication issues (Cameron, Ream and at least one other) where it was unclear who should be playing the ball? Hell, a few OG clearances looked unsure, as if expecting a call from the keeper. That, which should be a big part of his game (as his shot stopping sucks), seemed woeful yesterday. I get it was loud, but command of the area is paramount.
.

Fair. I think the third instance was in the second half - Guzan scooped a ball just to the left of the frame as Gonzalez was about to knock it out for a corner.

Given enough prep, I'm sure Howard can manage both formations for this squad. He just needs to stay healthy and not lose his shit in front of vicious crowds.

 

[GammonsSpecialPerson]

So we agree that Klinsmann is a bad manager, but for some reason you take umbrage when Omar Gonzalez cites specific examples and when I reference his comments?

You characterized the comments as "revealing", suggesting that Gonzalez had provided something worth considering "seriously." I replied:

I am shocked that Gonzalez, who played for Arena professionally for many years, would praise Arena and his tactics. And in the process, manages to slag the old gaffer who dropped him from NT squads because (in part) Gonzalez was shockingly bad in the USMNT uniform.

I took umbrage with Gonzalez's comments for reasons I've quoted below. Your framing of them as "revealing" seemed to endorse OG's opinion. If I misinterpreted that, I apologize. However, we disagree about what they are revealing:

He (Gonzalez) may well be correct, but how correct depends on how you parse "a few days" with "two (or three?) weeks". And, quite specifically, if you buy that "day of the game" portion - which really paints JK as both a complete moron and a shirker.

Gonzalez was terrible in that Columbus disaster (as were many others). Whether that was due (mostly) to Klinsmann surprising his own team with a shitty tactical plan - a distinct possibility, I admit - or whether the performance was (mostly) about the players playing like shit... well, YMMV. I'm generally disposed to blame the players for shit performances.

...

That all said, Gonzalez's comments are self-serving, and minimize how shitty he was on the pitch under Klinsmann. Again, maybe Klinsmann was so terrible that players couldn't play up to their potential under him. But to praise Arena and shit on Klinsmann seems to be Gonzalez attempting to re-write history to his own benefit.

I think OG's temporal flexibility - "two weeks" vs. "a couple days" - is both intentional, and inaccurate. But I'll concede that my real issue with OG's comments is the "day of game" portion, which seems unbelievable on its face. I've not read that from any other player, and I've read a lot of criticisms of JK. Is there another player - who doesn't owe Arena fealty - who has said anything remotely similar?

Gonzalez claimed that the team was well-prepared under Arena and was not under Klinsmann. What about this observation is underhanded or unfair?

Gonzalez's comments were self-serving, and disingenuous. He played like shit, and maybe that was JK's fault, but his praise of Arena is necessarily dubious, given OG's history with Arena and the fact that Gonzalez's play with the NT was poor under the previous regime.

Gonzalez may be correct, but if he is, it is for the wrong reasons. Had Cameron said the same exact thing, I would not have had any reason to question it.

You think it is revealing that Gonzalez thinks the team was better prepared by Arena. I have pointed out that Gonzalez's thoughts are both self-serving and rely on some indeterminate phrasing. Is it possible JK surprised his team by unveiling a never-practiced formation the day of a game, as Gonzalez implies? Sure, it's possible. And had Geoff Cameron or literally any other player said the same thing, I wouldn't have questioned it. But Gonzalez? There's legitimate reasons to question both the accuracy (given his choice of words) and his motivation (he's Bruce's GUY).

Do you think he's lying or somehow leaving out some part of the tactical match preparation story?

Yep. I think his "revealing" quotes are him (Gonzalez) praising his benefactor. I think Gonzalez had played himself out of the NT squad and is justifying Arena's selection/faith in him with disingenuous comments that make Omar Gonzalez (and Arena) look good, while crapping on JK, and ignoring that Gonzalez's play merited his being dropped from the squad by JK.

FWIW, I'm very pleased to have gotten four points and back in contention. I think Arena's tactics are both vanilla and far from brilliant, but reasonable people can disagree about that. But I am really having trouble seeing why I should listen to whatever Omar Gonzalez says about it. Especially since his comments paint him (and the team) as victims of JK's mismanagement and/or reckless stupidity. When Cameron, or Brooks, or Bradley, or literally anyone who doesn't owe their professional career, and continued participation in the NT, to Arena says it, I'll see OG's comments differently.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

This New York Times story backs up Gonzalez's comments (using some of the same quotes, of course).

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/sports/soccer/united-states-mens-soccer-mexico-bruce-arena.html?action=click&contentCollection=Soccer&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

 

[DJnVa]

Fox Sports has similar things as well, but you know, it's Arena saying it, so he's probably just trying to make himself look good or something.

Whereas Klinsmann told the U.S. the morning of the match that they would play three at the back against Mexico – he’d previously told them they might – Arena told the team on the first Monday of training camp two weeks ago.

“We told the team on day one of this camp that we would play that way in this game,” said Arena.

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/gallery/usmnt-mexico-highlights-world-cup-qualifier-bruce-arena-tactics-061217

So, unless someone finds a quote that says Omar and Bruce are making this up, can we move on?

 

[Titans Bastard]

Officially adding Gonzalez to our stable of prospects is good news. If true, there's little doubt that he'll be on the Gold Cup roster.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Good numbers for the most recent WCQ:

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Good numbers for the most recent WCQ:

I think FOX made a mistake by not having the match on the mother ship. They broadcast the premiere of the John Cena reality show, which did poor ratings, instead.

 

[Titans Bastard]

The 15 other players on the 40-man roster, six of whom could be swapped in after the group stage:

GK: Tim Howard, Jesse Gonzalez, Joe Bendik
DF: Steve Birnbaum, Greg Garza, Matt Polster, Jonathan Spector
MF: Michael Bradley, Tommy McNamara, Darlington Nagbe, Chris Pontius, Christian Pulisic, Wil Trapp
FW: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, C.J. Sapong, Chris Wondolowski


The USSF said that Gonzalez filed his one-time switch paperwork, but FIFA hasn't approved it yet. When they do, he will be cap-tied to the US.

Some things to look out for in this largely B squad:

• Matt Hedges and Matt Miazga have an opportunity to move up in the CB depth chart vs. Gonzalez, Besler, and Ream.
• Can Kenny Saeif, who just filed a one-time switch after playing in youth tournaments for Israel, be a useful player at LB/LWB/LM? We could use the depth in all of those places.
• I suspect that Kellyn Acosta and Cristian Roldan have a lot of caps in their future at CM, but this is exactly the sort of platform on which they must demonstrate their readiness. Acosta already has a leg up after a creditable performance in Azteca. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive players, though.
• Dom Dwyer is finally a US citizen. I am confident that he can be useful in these sorts of CONCACAF tournaments, but can he show signs that he can do more?
• Zardes and Morris have been in poor form in 2017.
• Two Revs in the US squad. Rowe and Agudelo both have a lot to prove in a US shirt in order to get more opportunities.

 

[DJnVa]

The USSF said that Gonzalez filed his one-time switch paperwork, but FIFA hasn't approved it yet. When they do, he will be cap-tied to the US.

You mean Saief?

 

[InstaFace]

Wondo is the cockroach-in-nuclear-winter of the USMNT.

In the first team, the one I don't understand is Bedoya. He's 30 years old, he has 60 largely-uninspired caps for the team, what exactly is Arena trying to discover or develop here? At least Zusi you know is going to be a sub off the bench and can be plugged into lots of places as needs dictate.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

You mean Saief?

Jesse Gonzalez. Saief has already been approved.

 

[Senator Donut]

Wondo is the cockroach-in-nuclear-winter of the USMNT.

Weird fact about Wondolowski, for all the grief US fans their managers about squad selection, Wondolowski has never played in a World Cup qualifier. (He has, of course, infamously appeared in the World Cup proper.) A Confederations Cup with Mexico's B team seems to be the appropriate level of competition for him.

Two Revs in the US squad. Rowe and Agudelo both have a lot to prove in a US shirt in order to get more opportunities.

It'll be good to see Rowe and Agudelo play under competent management. Rowe has been played consistently out of position, due to poor organizational depth and Agudelo has been forced into a ill-fitting partnership with Kei Kamara. Here's what MLSSoccer.com's Matt Doyle had to say about Juan, using some very selective endpoints. Having watched most Revs games, my eye test says it's mostly accurate.

Since last September, Agudelo is the most productive forward in the pool on a per-minute basis. When he plays as a lone center forward he averages better than a goal per 90, and the only fulltime No. 9 in MLS with a better expected assists per 90 is David Villa. It's bonkers to me that he doesn't start as a center forward every single game for the Revs.​

 

[Titans Bastard]

Guys, Wondolowski isn't on the roster and with guys like Altidore on the reserve list for the knockout rounds I don't think he's all that likely to be brought in.

In the first team, the one I don't understand is Bedoya. He's 30 years old, he has 60 largely-uninspired caps for the team, what exactly is Arena trying to discover or develop here? At least Zusi you know is going to be a sub off the bench and can be plugged into lots of places as needs dictate.

There's nothing at all to be learned about Bedoya himself, but by having a few known quantities in the squad it's easier to evaluate the new faces. When everything's an experiment, there are too many variables for them to be valuable.

 

[InstaFace]

Guys, Wondolowski isn't on the roster and with guys like Altidore on the reserve list for the knockout rounds I don't think he's all that likely to be brought in.

Certainly, but it's amusing (and just a little frustrating) to keep seeing his name pop up. He's like a bad penny, he always turns up.

There's nothing at all to be learned about Bedoya himself, but by having a few known quantities in the squad it's easier to evaluate the new faces. When everything's an experiment, there are too many variables for them to be valuable.

So why not give some run to Nagbe, or one of the other proven quantities who's part of the team's future rather than its past? Bedoya just makes no sense to me barring numerous injuries.

 

[DJnVa]

Jesse Gonzalez. Saief has already been approved.

Gotcha. My bad. Didn't see that.

 

[Titans Bastard]

So why not give some run to Nagbe, or one of the other proven quantities who's part of the team's future rather than its past? Bedoya just makes no sense to me barring numerous injuries.

I wouldn't have minded seeing Nagbe (over Bedoya or Corona), but I suspect it came down to wanting a few long-time veterans who can set the tone in training and show the newcomers how things are done at this level. Bedoya has more than 3x the caps of Nagbe. Two-thirds of our Gold Cup midfielders have fewer than ten caps and three of them are totally uncapped.

I get that Bedoya is uninspiring, but Arena's man management skills are generally considered one of his strengths and I think they have a lot to do with this decision.

Nagbe seems like a likely choice to be added to the team for the knockouts.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Boom:


U.S. Soccer

@ussoccer
NEWS: @FCDallas goalkeeper @JesseGonzalez44 has had his one-time change of association request approved by FIFA: http://ussoc.cr/jgonzUSMNT

11:18 AM - 29 Jun 2017

If this happened last week, I suspect he'd be on the Gold Cup roster.

Howard is nearing the end of the line, Guzan seems to have peaked 3-4 years ago, and we're lacking a clear heir apparent right now.

Horvath and Steffen are interesting prospects but aren't yet ready to start for the US. The addition of Gonzalez is another similarly-aged iron in the fire.

 

[DJnVa]

USMNT beat Ghana 2-1 in a friendly. Acosta and Dwyer with first international goals, Dwyer in his debut.

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/07/01/21/26/20170701-recap-mnt-first-international-goals-dwyer-acosta-give-usmnt-2-1-win-vs-ghana-in-friendly

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I was at the game. I swear these kids move the ball better and more crisply than the older guys. Dwyer was really good. Guzan made two tremendous saves. I think klinnsman could have integrated several of these guys a lot earlier and more options. I was pleasantly surprised at the potential depth

The Ghana fans were awesome, too

 

[Infield Infidel]

I'm really curious how Dwyer will integrate with the normal starters. He has an endless motor. Dwyer and Wood could be up top all day and not need subs.

 

[Titans Bastard]

I was at the game, too. I sat at the end opposite the US supporters section, next to a large, noisy, and fun group of Ghana fans. I find it tough to see the game well from that angle, but I've had the chance to re-watch on TV:

• This Ghana team seemed a lot bigger and stronger than the US, which caused a few problems
• Dwyer's workrate was excellent (and unsurprising for anyone who has watched him for KC). He'll never have the cleanest technique in the pool, but he sure looked like someone who is well-suited to contribute in CONCACAF at least.
• Nice PK save by Brad Guzan
• McCarty should have been a mainstay in the USMNT pool for the last five years. His passing accuracy was 95% even though he kept a quick tempo and attempted some threading passes through defenders.
• Rowe was better in the first half than I realized. He hit a few really nice first-time balls into the box that I couldn't see well from the opposite end of the stadium.
• Nice left-footed(!!!!) cross from Morris - I still don't know how Bedoya's header didn't go in and it happened right in front of me.
• Ghana's GK absurdly got a yellow instead of a red when he took out Dwyer, who was chasing a nice ball in from Corona
• Acosta scored a nice, smart free kick. The rest of his FK attempts disappointed, however.
• Arena was much slower to pull the trigger on his subs than Ghana's manager, even setting aside Ghana's first half injuries. This makes sense - it's the first time this group has played together, early subs would introduce too much experimentation
• I liked the new jerseys. The stars on the shoulder are much smaller than they appeared in some of the leaks. They're the best we've had since the Waldos
• Worst performance of the match: Rentscher's traffic/parking scheme

 

[OCST]

• Worst performance of the match: Rentscher's traffic/parking scheme

Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown Hartford.

 

[Titans Bastard]

A couple other things:

I'm impressed that the US has done well in 3-4 formations in Arena's first eight games. The immediate coherence and unity of purpose bodes well.

I'm also ready to accept that Zusi has been surprisingly reliable at RB. It helps that he now plays there for KC, too. I think he can be vulnerable against scary fast wingers, but that's why Yedlin is the starter. Zusi's US career at RB is already considerably better than Chandler's.

Speaking of RBs, hopefully a smart club manager converts Arriola sooner rather than later. I think his upside is limited on the wing.

 

[rickmac]

Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown Hartford.

I was so ready to talk about how great the young guys looked...but that parking was a joke. Had three cars of us and first car made it to dinner over 50 minutes before the third.