....too easy....I get excited thinking of how good Wood will be by 2018.
He's struggled with the final ball, that's fair enough, but awful game is too far. He's been lively and created some super high percentage of our danger. He's dribbling at people taking space and the defenders are turning from him not wanting to get beaten. Yes, his last cross aside he's not made the best decision all the time but you're short changing the danger he has createdPulisic has botched two of the best possessions of the 2nd half so far, when he's had passing options. I'm going with "awful game".
I also love him to death and want him to get as much run as possible as a starter on the team and think he's going to take us places. But he's had a game such that after screwing up the counter right before the goal at 43', the FS1 camera caught him walking towards the (dead) ball for the corner kick saying "Fuck Me!" to no one in particular.
...and now there's Altidore. Pretty good play by him - he's gotten better as the game has gone on.
I think he's just had the ball a lot. He's had a ton of chances and created a lot too. But as has been said they keep getting crossed up in the zone. I'm going with closer to best player of the game.Pulisic has botched two of the best possessions of the 2nd half so far, when he's had passing options. I'm going with "awful game".
I also love him to death and want him to get as much run as possible as a starter on the team and think he's going to take us places. But he's had a game such that after screwing up the counter right before the goal at 43', the FS1 camera caught him walking towards the (dead) ball for the corner kick saying "Fuck Me!" to no one in particular.
...and now there's Altidore. Pretty good play by him - he's gotten better as the game has gone on.
Pulisic has botched two of the best possessions of the 2nd half so far, when he's had passing options. I'm going with "awful game".
I also love him to death and want him to get as much run as possible as a starter on the team and think he's going to take us places. But he's had a game such that after screwing up the counter right before the goal at 43', the FS1 camera caught him walking towards the (dead) ball for the corner kick saying "Fuck Me!" to no one in particular.
...and now there's Altidore. Pretty good play by him - he's gotten better as the game has gone on.
But sometimes on crosses it's just the crosser's job to play the ball and you gotta play the ball before the run is started sometimes.Also, that was an awesome cross by Pulisic. Credit where due, he's like 2 for 8 on those tonight but that one was a beaut.
US fans have always been harshest on our best players. Donovan, Beasley, Reyna, McBride, Bocanegra (among others) have all been major whipping boys for significant chunks of their careers.He's struggled with the final ball, that's fair enough, but awful game is too far. He's been lively and created some super high percentage of our danger. He's dribbling at people taking space and the defenders are turning from him not wanting to get beaten. Yes, his last cross aside he's not made the best decision all the time but you're short changing the danger he has created
Can't wait for Bradley's rabona goal later on!Attention: the Hater Train is now leaving the thread...
You're right, he's tracked back on D very nicely and his passes in midfield have been well-chosen.He's struggled with the final ball, that's fair enough, but awful game is too far. He's been lively and created some super high percentage of our danger. He's dribbling at people taking space and the defenders are turning from him not wanting to get beaten. Yes, his last cross aside he's not made the best decision all the time but you're short changing the danger he has created
I'm pretty sure it's not the crosser's job to hit the leg of the defender. But I'll stop badmouthing the man, he's surely been a value-add player on the field tonight.But sometimes on crosses it's just the crosser's job to play the ball and you gotta play the ball before the run is started sometimes.
Of course, but he's also had 3 crosses go across the mouth of goal with no one on the far post.I'm pretty sure it's not the crosser's job to hit the leg of the defender. But I'll stop badmouthing the man, he's surely been a value-add player on the field tonight.
Well he's been practicing it all day.Great cross by Pulisic.
You need to nip that in the budArriola is engorged and milking it!
Speed and skill does a lot for a team. Taking the offense out of Bradley's hands does even more, perhaps.I've seen this team score goals in bunches but they haven't all been this pretty.
This is some legit quality. I'm enjoying it very much.
As bad as Bradley is on O he is even worse on D. Rarely in position, always behind the play and putting himself even further out of position in trying to catch up. This guy is nowhere near my starting 11 for Russia but I fear JK won't have the balls to phase him out.As good as this has been we have conceded too many high quality chances
Fwiw I agree. He looks cooked. He's been a great player for us and a true b2b midfielder but his legs seem shot. He was never the fastest player but had enough to use his two footed play and positioning to make an impact. He's a player I've always admired because he's always taken the responsibility of showing for the ball in the CM role and had enough skill to keep possession and keep it moving but he's not a 6 any longer (if he ever was) and he's not an 8 or 10. I think his best role would be off the bench.Speed and skill does a lot for a team. Taking the offense out of Bradley's hands does even more, perhaps.
As bad as Bradley is on O he is even worse on D. Rarely in position, always behind the play and putting himself even further out of position in trying to catch up. This guy is nowhere near my starting 11 for Russia but I fear JK won't have the balls to phase him out.
I'll stop now, this is a nice win so I'll give it a rest (until his next appearance).
I don't disagree about Bradley's mobility, but I have to think that there's a mental part of the puzzle as well. It's not like he's purely just not physically up to it anymore, he's also making more questionable decisions than he used to. He's still serviceable, but there's something that's just not right with him.Fwiw I agree. He looks cooked. He's been a great player for us and a true b2b midfielder but his legs seem shot. He was never the fastest player but had enough to use his two footed play and positioning to make an impact. He's a player I've always admired because he's always taken the responsibility of showing for the ball in the CM role and had enough skill to keep possession and keep it moving but he's not a 6 any longer (if he ever was) and he's not an 8 or 10. I think his best role would be off the bench.
Not many:Dumb question: how many friendlies would typically be mixed in to the schedule during the Hex? Iow, will there be appreciable chances to get the next generation involved prior to Russia?
Because if Wondo, Beckerman, Zusi and arguably Jones are on the 2018 roster, that's a massive failure by JK.
The Hex is always a bit tougher than it looks on paper for CONCACAF reasons. Tons of travel (USSF tweeted something today about Bobby Wood flying more than 13,000 miles this int'l window), poor field conditions, shoddy refereeing, hostile crowd conditions, crappy facilities, oppressive heat.Is the Hex really that threatening? 3.5 qualify out of 6: the US, Mexico, T&T, Panama, Costa Rica, and likely Honduras. Of those, Honduras (43), Panama (63) and T&T (80) are ranked waaaaay behind CONCACAF's big 3. Panama is the only one of those who are probably better than their record (by Elo, they're #46, the USA #24). I don't think playing Wood, Pulisic and Kljestan in place of Altidore, Zusi and Beckerman is going to cost them a WCF spot - just can't see how that happens. Especially if we have Yedlin, Brooks and Nagbe back with a healthy Dempsey and Altidore around.
Doubtful. Gillette gets some Gold Cup type games, but is passed over for the Hex because of the shitty playing surface. As it should be, frankly.Does anyone know if Gilette is going to host one of the Hex matches?
What was Mexico ranked before the last hexagonal? Probably good enough to not expect to need a 92d minute goal from the USA just to get into the playoff.Is the Hex really that threatening? 3.5 qualify out of 6: the US, Mexico, T&T, Panama, Costa Rica, and likely Honduras. Of those, Honduras (43), Panama (63) and T&T (80) are ranked waaaaay behind CONCACAF's big 3. Panama is the only one of those who are probably better than their record (by Elo, they're #46, the USA #24). I don't think playing Wood, Pulisic and Kljestan in place of Altidore, Zusi and Beckerman is going to cost them a WCF spot - just can't see how that happens. Especially if we have Yedlin, Brooks and Nagbe back with a healthy Dempsey and Altidore around.
Costa Rica is on the road and we are probably going to lose. Home vs. Mexico and Honduras - we should hold serve, but they will be two of our three toughest home matches.Wait - are those on the road? What you typed indicated homes games vs Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica.
My eyes tell me that stache is bitchin.just go by what your eyes tell you