USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
I thought we put the Diskerud-as-DM experiment to bed already....but maybe it will be useful in the group stage against bunkering opposition. Klinsmann didn't bring a backup for old man Beckerman so if it's possible to rest Dreads for a game or two before the knockout stage, that's a good thing.
With Mix at DM, FJ at LB, and Yedlin at RM, it definitely looks like a break-down-the-bunker rehearsal.
I feel like Carlos Ruiz should be 44 now. He's "only" 35 and scored 25 goals in the Guatemalan league last season.
In his honor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA_c1FClBMo
In his honor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA_c1FClBMo
It's a bit gimmicky, but for 4th of July weekend the Stars and Stripes jersey numbers are cool.
It's good to see Dempsey, Altidore, and Bradley in the same lineup again.
It's good to see Dempsey, Altidore, and Bradley in the same lineup again.
This is also the second time that Brooks and Gonzalez have started together and first since 2013 -- notable, as they look like the top pairing going into the GC now that Besler is out of favor and Cameron is on the sideline.
That should 100% be a yellow for taking out Yedlin, and the ref doesn't even call a foul.
EDIT: But he doesn't get away with grabbing Jozy's arm in the box. Penalty!
Jozy takes it....and it's saved.
EDIT: But he doesn't get away with grabbing Jozy's arm in the box. Penalty!
Jozy takes it....and it's saved.
That wasn't a very good penalty. I've seen Jozy take good penalties in the past, but I wonder what happens now if/when the US gets a PK in the GC. Dempsey is terrible from the spot.
Penalties and free kicks to be played in to the box are the only times I miss Landycakes.Titans Bastard said:
It looks like only two starters from Guatemala's most recent WCQ are starting for them tonight.
Nodic Messi.Titans Bastard said:
Honestly though, Jozy Altidore's entire career is proof that the biggest weakness as a striker is the part where you kick the ball into the net. Not sure why they think he'll be good at penalties.
Cellar-Door said:
He's been surprisingly good at PKs in the past, IIRC. Today's attempt, however, sucked. It's a point in favor of the argument that he who draws the PK shouldn't take it.
From the US perspective, though, they should keep exploring options.
I really like Zardes. I think I actually like him even more up front in place of Jozy, but I guess he should get some run in MF since everyone knows our front 2 in Russia are going to be Wood and Morris.
Guzan has not given me a warm, fuzzy feeling today. He has looked shaky all night.
Garza has proven to be a really hard worker just to get here, but I just don't think he's athletically up to this level.
Garza has proven to be a really hard worker just to get here, but I just don't think he's athletically up to this level.
At the bar and gonna watch on DVR tmrw butttt get Wondo off the field!
Cost us the World Cup. Haha
Cost us the World Cup. Haha
Dempsey screaming for the ball, while flat footed. Then is totally unprepared for Chandler's ball. Come on Clint.
And now he steps up for the PK. Hmm....
And now he steps up for the PK. Hmm....
McBride11 said:
Hey now - there's no more deadly striker than Wondo when you are going against teams ranked in the 70-120 range!
This may be the least convincing 3-0 performance I've ever seen.
EDIT: Ha, the 4th one was nice, though.
EDIT: Ha, the 4th one was nice, though.
He can tap them in after someone else does the work with the best of them!Titans Bastard said:
Really like the look of Ream. Looks very comfortable on the ball. Morales looks a little out of his depth
teddykgb said:
Ream has always been good in possession (he's even played a substantial amount of LB and moonlighted DM for Bolton). The question is how he holds up defensively against better teams. Historically he's been a bit soft, especially in terms of strength and aerial ability, but I'm not sure where he stands now - I haven't seen much of him in a while.
Morales has been up and down for the US, but he still hasn't really impressed as a DM. He's looked better on the outside in the 4-1-3-2, although I think we have better options (Diskerud, Zardes, Bedoya, Yedlin)
Right there with you. He's not perfect or anything but it seems like he's ALWAYS in the box around the ball making dangerous things happen.Cellar-Door said:
Speaking of Morris, anyone know his PK stats? I assume awesome because Jordan F. Morris.
Wood is totally the Wondo of this cycle, so perfect that the latter knocked home a gimme tonight to try to show the young'uns a thing or two about being in the right place at the right time.
Got to watch the game finally.... I was shocked Wondo didnt put his goal over the crossbar.
Zardes seems way more effective than Zusi. He needs more play.
Going to be interesting how they balance Mix and Beckerman come tourney time. I cant say I have ever been a fan of KB, but he provides a stabilizing force at DM. Mix is more talented though.
I am becoming frustrated with Jozy. He has the size and speed and but he just doesnt seem to have that innate finishing talent. The PK and the point blank shot being prime examples.
I love Yedlins speed and the team willing to release him down the wing.
Chandler, such an enigma. That shot was incredible. He made a couple of silly fouls as well.
Guzan is talented but no Tim Howard. That play in the second half where they had a free kick and Ruiz running nearby caused Guzan to drop and then 10 just kicked it wide was worrisome. Any real squad finishes that goal. Probably 2-3 other chances too.
Zardes seems way more effective than Zusi. He needs more play.
Going to be interesting how they balance Mix and Beckerman come tourney time. I cant say I have ever been a fan of KB, but he provides a stabilizing force at DM. Mix is more talented though.
I am becoming frustrated with Jozy. He has the size and speed and but he just doesnt seem to have that innate finishing talent. The PK and the point blank shot being prime examples.
I love Yedlins speed and the team willing to release him down the wing.
Chandler, such an enigma. That shot was incredible. He made a couple of silly fouls as well.
Guzan is talented but no Tim Howard. That play in the second half where they had a free kick and Ruiz running nearby caused Guzan to drop and then 10 just kicked it wide was worrisome. Any real squad finishes that goal. Probably 2-3 other chances too.
McBride11 said:
It's kind of amazing that while he is unsurprisingly doing better in MLS than he did in the Premier League, he still hasn't been as successful as he was in the Netherlands. And he is being set up by Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley. Maybe MLS really is as good as the Eredivisie now.
Also, for those of us attending Friday night's match, how strong a lineup can we expect to see?
There was a U-18 camp announced today that is effectively the new U-20 team, without most of the U-17 team that's still prepping for the U-17 WC later this year.
GK
Jonathan Klinsmann (Irvine Strikers)
J.T. Marcinkowski (SJ academy)
DF
Marcello Borges (NYRB academy)
Kyle Duncan (NYRB academy)
Malcolm Jones (LA academy)
Andrew Lombard (NYRB academy)
Pablo Pelaez (San Diego Surf)
Mauricio Pineda (Chicago academy)
MF
Cam Lindley (Chicago academy)
James Murphy (PDA)
Emmanuel Sabbi (Chicago Magic)
Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake)
Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew)
Jackson Yueill (Minnesota Thunder)
FW
Mukwelle Akale (Villarreal)
Coy Craft (FC Dallas)
Sebastian Elney (Philadelphia academy)
Christian Lucatero (Houston academy)
Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders)
Haji Wright (New York Cosmos)
Only six pros here, but many domestic and foreign pros weren't called and many amateurs on this list will go pro within the next year or two. This could be another fun U20 cycle. Fingers crossed.
GK
Jonathan Klinsmann (Irvine Strikers)
J.T. Marcinkowski (SJ academy)
DF
Marcello Borges (NYRB academy)
Kyle Duncan (NYRB academy)
Malcolm Jones (LA academy)
Andrew Lombard (NYRB academy)
Pablo Pelaez (San Diego Surf)
Mauricio Pineda (Chicago academy)
MF
Cam Lindley (Chicago academy)
James Murphy (PDA)
Emmanuel Sabbi (Chicago Magic)
Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake)
Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew)
Jackson Yueill (Minnesota Thunder)
FW
Mukwelle Akale (Villarreal)
Coy Craft (FC Dallas)
Sebastian Elney (Philadelphia academy)
Christian Lucatero (Houston academy)
Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders)
Haji Wright (New York Cosmos)
Only six pros here, but many domestic and foreign pros weren't called and many amateurs on this list will go pro within the next year or two. This could be another fun U20 cycle. Fingers crossed.
Titans Bastard said:
Jurgen's son I believe? I don't know much about him other than the Twitter gaffe with Donovan. Google tells me he's going to Cal next year though.
moly99 said:
No one plays defense in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord (paging Tony) are dead broke but do great in the league every year because they're practically the only team that takes defense seriously, so nobody scores on them.
Billy R Ford said:
From what I've heard generally, he's not a nepotism pick and is a legit prospect at GK. How good a prospect, I don't know.
He would be 39 in 2018, that ain't even that old for a goalkeeper. Only half joking: Dino Zoff was 40 when he captained Italy to the World Cup in 1982, Peter Shilton was almost 41 when he captained England to the semifinal in 1990, Pat Jennings was 41 with Northern Ireland in 1986. Brad Friedel didn't lose his first choice place at Tottenham until he was well past 41. Edwin van der Sar retired at 40 and I sure felt he had something left in the tank.Silverdude2167 said:
So not to belabor the point, but it's definitely possible for him to play in 2018.