USMNT: Hold My Beer

rguilmar

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Jul 16, 2005
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[/QUOTE]
Brooks is easily the best passing CB, which is a key quality for Berhalter’s desired style. His relationship with Brooks must be bad - and given how positive Gregg’s bond is with the majority of the squad, it suggest to be me Brooks is a PITA.
I think that Brooks was ideal for Berhalter's previous desired style, but that Gregg has altered how he wants to play away from possession-based build up ("disorganize the opponent with the ball") to high press and faster play (verticality!!). Like I said, I would prefer to keep Brooks around for exactly the same reason as @Zososoxfan.

I did read a while back that Gregg routinely meets with a select group of team leaders prior to making decisions. I would guess this is something he would either bring up to this player council before omitting Brooks or that they would bring to his attention if they were unhappy with the decision. So if I were a betting man, I would bet that the majority of the squad is ok with leaving Brooks off. I should also note that I assumed that this council of players was stacked with the MLS guys I criticize most, but I was wrong. Interestingly, the only MLS player on it is Aaron Long.

Anyways, it looks like Steffen has picked up an injury and likely won't be available.
 

DJnVa

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Yedlin has yet to arrive. He reportedly terminated his contract at Galatasaray.
 

Kliq

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Weather in Hamilton and St. Paul looks like it will be in the single digits for the games this week. Any chance we see this games moved? Either to a new city or an indoor venue?
 

Senator Donut

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DJnVa

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Weather in Hamilton and St. Paul looks like it will be in the single digits for the games this week. Any chance we see this games moved? Either to a new city or an indoor venue?
Gotta think that's kind of the point---games scheduled there in Jan/Feb that's kind of expected. Or at least, not unexpected.
 

Titans Bastard

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Titans Bastard

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Substitutes: 19-Sean Johnson, 7-Paul Arriola, 9-Gyasi Zardes, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 13-Jordan Morris, 14-Cristian Roldan, 16-Mark McKenzie, 17-Luca de la Torre, 18-Ricardo Pepi, 22-Reggie Cannon, 23-Kellyn Acosta

Not dressing: Slonina, Yedlin, Lennon, Lletget

Yedlin not a surprise because he had travel issues getting out of Istanbul.
 

Titans Bastard

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My theory about Ferreira over Pepi (and also Richards over Miles Robinson) is that we're expecting to go up against a packed-in El Salvador team so you go with better passers at those spots.
 

rguilmar

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That’s my guess too, TB.

Happily shocked that LDLT is on the bench and Lletget is not. Perhaps de la Torre wasn’t the Busio replacement…
 

ThePrideofShiner

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One and a half, maybe? I kind of expected Aaronson over Weah. Ferreira is obviously surprising as well. Wonder if someone more informed has an idea on the rationale there.
Matthew Doyle, who writes for MLS.com, had this in his qualifying window breakdown yesterday (granted it was in relation to the Canada game, not tonight's):

• I’ve got Ricardo Pepi starting again, and I’m of the opinion he should keep starting until he plays himself out of the job. That said, the way to get at Canada is to move those center backs around, so I could see Berhalter being very clever and using Jesus Ferreira as a type of false 9 (though I think both Gregg and Jesus would quibble with that designation).
It’s not a move I would make – I generally hate the false 9 as a concept. But Pepi is a guy who most often plants himself near the center backs and tries to get off the shoulder or just physically occupies them. Ferreira, when he plays as a 9, comes back into the midfield and links play, causing the opposing center backs and central midfielders to make very hard choices about who goes with him. That can break a team’s shape, and if I’m a US fan I like the idea of Steven Vitoria chasing the No. 9 all over creation.
But again: I wouldn’t do it. There is, however, a theoretical reason my position is dumb.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/what-to-expect-from-the-usmnt-vs-el-salvador-and-beyond-in-winter-world-cup-qual
 

Ale Xander

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Kasey Keller looks like he’s from the west coast

let’s go ‘Murica

12 minutes to kickoff
 

McBride11

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Espn2 did not drop out on yttv

i am enjoying the us energy. Dest and robinson pushing up the wings has been great.

Seeing on the scroll Turner has signed with Arsenal. But that he will start the year playing with the revs until moving mid summer. Seems strange.
 

rguilmar

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Why is Pepi not starting. Has he been out of form? With a move and new job havent been keeping up much
Probably a combo of form (he hasn’t been terrible, just no real service) and matchup. As TB mentioned earlier, Gregg likely thinks Ferreira brings more against a low block.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Finding lots of joy down the right side but cant get the crosses right down there. Their left back defending has been pretty good once we get settled down there after making the run, in fairness.
 

teddykgb

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Espn2 did not drop out on yttv

i am enjoying the us energy. Dest and robinson pushing up the wings has been great.

Seeing on the scroll Turner has signed with Arsenal. But that he will start the year playing with the revs until moving mid summer. Seems strange.
Steffen making a stop at City had some amount of sense to ply for Pep and develop ball skills. He’s stayed too long now and should be moving. I have no idea why Turner is going to move to the Prem to be a backup. Arsenal are very happy at keeper he’s not going to play
 

dirtynine

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Just turned the game on - not in love with 0-0, but, ok. Any storylines so far? Frustrating or promising? From Twellman’s tone, sounds like the former.
 

McBride11

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Steffen making a stop at City had some amount of sense to ply for Pep and develop ball skills. He’s stayed too long now and should be moving. I have no idea why Turner is going to move to the Prem to be a backup. Arsenal are very happy at keeper he’s not going to play
Allow more spelling of Ramsdale with Arsenal having more non league games (FA cup, europa / ) ? Allow a transfer to get $?
Yall know the epl better than me.

The left side with Robinson / pulisic / munsah has disappeared

dest / weah / mckennie are running the show on the right.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Their left side defense in the final third has been heroic. Fucking brick wall so far once we're down there.
 

rguilmar

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Not that the crosses have been great, but with so many opportunities for the FBs to put one in the box I’d rather have Pepi on the receiving end.
 

tmracht

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Do wonder how many are expected to play 270 in the 6 day window. I get Ferreira missed a few chances but there's going to need to be some minutes stolen along the 3 games. Stinks he missed, but he's had a few nice plays as well.
 

sodenj5

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Dest looks like the only dude that has a clue what he’s doing out there. The LB is a master of blindly crossing the ball straight into a defender.
 

Titans Bastard

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Dest looks like the only dude that has a clue what he’s doing out there. The LB is a master of blindly crossing the ball straight into a defender.
Robinson has his merits but at the end of the day he's the platonic ideal of the stereotypical Champo player.